Which Birth Control Pills Are Fda Approved To Treat Hormonal Acne
There are four birth control pills that have received approval by the FDA to specifically treat acne. This means that they have been shown to be so effective at treating and preventing acne that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the pill to be specifically prescribed to treat acne. All four use a combination of the hormone estrogen in the form of ethinyl estradiol and progesterone in the form of progestin. Those four birth control bills are as follows:
Yaz A combination birth control pill that contains estrogen in the form of ethinyl estradiol and progestin in the form of drospirenone. Drospirenone has been shown to be the most effective progestin to prevent acne.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen A combination birth control pill that contains estrogen in the form of ethinyl estradiol and progestin in the form of norgestimate. Ortho Tri-Cyclen can be available at different levels of progestin.
Beyaz A combination birth control pill that contains estrogen in the form of ethinyl estradiol and progestin in the form of drospirenone. This is the most recently FDA approved birth control pill for treating acne.
Estrostep FE A combination birth control pill that contains estrogen in the form of ethinyl estradiol and progestin in the form of norethindrone. Estrostep FE can have the level of estrogen adjusted.
There are other birth control pills that have been clinically proven to improve acne but have not yet been FDA approved including Yasmi and Alesse.
Do Birth Control Pills Help With Acne
There are two types of birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives: combination pills and mini-pills. Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin and with these two hormones working together, acne breakouts can be reduced or eliminated. There are a wide variety of birth control pills and the effectiveness of the pill at reducing acne has to do with the kind of progestin contained in the pill. Drospirenone for example, which is the type of progestin that is found in the birth control pill called Yaz, has been shown to be the most effective at helping with acne. The other type of birth control pill is called a mini-pill because it only contains progesterone . Mini-pills are not effective in preventing acne and can, in fact, result in an increase in acne breakouts as a side effect.
Use Epsom Salt Bath To Cure Hormonal Acne With Natural Treatment
Epsom salt bath is a very beneficial remedy to cure hormonal acne.
How to use?
- Add two cups of Epsom salt in the bathtub of hot water
- Soak yourself in water for about fifteen minutes
- Remove the tub and pat dry with a clean and dry towel
- Repeat the same every day
Benefits of using Epsom salt bath
Epsom salt bath specializes in treating the hormonal acne pain and inflammation. It helps in draining out the bacteria from the body and reduces the tendency of the body to catch the same condition in the future. If you are looking for how to get rid of hormonal acne, this is the way to go.
Precaution
Make sure the water is not boiling. Moisturize well after the bath.
Other than these natural remedies, there are a few more home remedies which help in curing hormonal acne on the body. Swipe down to know how to get rid of hormonal acne naturally at home with items coming right out of your kitchen.
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How To Treat It
Does nodular acne go away? It likely wont clear up on its own unless you address the underlying causes, and unfortunately over-the-counter products alone dont always resolve this tissue.
However, in some cases, someone may outgrow the problem if its related to something like puberty, a temporary hormonal imbalance or stress.
According to experts, heres how to get rid of nodular acne:
1. Clean Your Skin Gently
First and foremost, focus on taking steps to get rid of pimples in general. That means practicing good hygiene and cleaning your skin regularly.
This helps keep oil levels on your skin in balance, which can reduce clogged pores and buildup of bacteria.
Be careful not to overly apply acne products to your skin , which can irritating and drying when used too frequently, particularly if you spend time in the sun after. Rubbing alcohol can also have this effect.
These are unlikely to resolve nodular acne since they only work to clean the skins surface.
Here are some tips for keeping your skin clean:
- Wash with a gentle cleanser, such as one with probiotics, twice daily.
- Apply a lightweight moisturizer to your skin thats free of fragrances and chemicals.
- Get some sunlight exposure, but avoid getting burned.
- Remove all makeup before going to sleep.
- Consider using toners and clay masks weekly, such as witch hazel or bentonite clay.
- Wash your pillowcases often.
- Make sure you wear clean makeup, and keep it minimal to avoid clogging pores.
2. Work on Balancing Your Homes
What Are The Symptoms Of Hormonal Acne
For teenagers, hormonal acne breakouts in teenage girls will often appear in the same places as the typical teen acne, forehead, cheeks around the mouth, and chin.
In adult women, hormonal acne is located in different areas, on the lower half of the face, around the mouth, chin, and lower jawline. Though the chin and jawline are the most common locations for hormonal acne, pimples can also appear on the face and neck sides.
Like teen acne, hormonal acne will include (comedones( blackheads and whiteheads, papules, pustules, a cyst. Many women with hormonal acne will also have under-skin bumps = cysts that are not red and are not seen on the skin’s surface.
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Don’t Overdo It With Masks And Deep Treatments
When you’re dealing with acne, it can be easy to think the best course of action is the most heavy-duty treatment that will dry your acne up. But using deep treatments on a daily basis could lead to over-stripping the skin and actually cause you to produce even more oil and, therefore, more breakouts, Dr. Jaliman says.
Dr. Hirsch added: “Take things down a notch by saving masks or deep skin treatments for a once a week treat.”
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Use Green Tea For Adult Hormonal Acne
Wondering how to get rid of hormonal acne with green tea? Well, green tea is a treasure of remedies.
How to use?
- Brew a tea bag of green tea in boiling water
- Brew it for about five minutes
- Strain in a clean glass
- Add honey to enhance the taste
- Consume while it is still warm
- Repeat the same two times a day
Benefits of using green tea
It is abundant in antibacterial compounds which protect the body from being invaded by the bacteria and other harmful microbes and helps in reducing the symptoms of the skin condition. It has anti-inflammatory properties which soothe the affected area of the body when applied topically.
Precaution
If you are allergic to green tea, do not consume it.
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How To Treat Hormonal Acne
We know, what you really want to know is how to get rid of hormonal acne. And thankfully, there are a number of approaches you can take many of which you can mix and match to find the winning formula for you.
#1 / With birth control
Oral contraceptives contain estrogen, which can help reduce sebum and androgen production. However, its worth noting that while birth control pills tend to keep hormonal breakouts at bay, once you go off the pill they may come back.
#2 / With acupuncture
If youre after a natural treatment for your hormonal acne, acupuncture is a great choice. Acupuncture has great success in helping with hormonal acne in a number of ways, says Dr Vivian Tam , registered doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncture and founder of Zilch Acne Formula and Cosmetic Acupuncture Melbourne. Firstly, we can use acupuncture to treat the whole body system and encourage it to heal by reducing inflammation and removing toxin build-up, but also by encouraging circulation and free-flowing energy to help with balancing hormones. Acupuncture can also be used in the face specifically targeting problem areas/breakouts to help reduce inflammation and redness, and encourage healing. After about five to six sessions your body should become rebalance, so ongoing treatments are unlikely to be necessary.
#3 / With a hormonal acne treatment
#4 / With supplements
#5 / With a healthy diet
#6 / With non-invasive laser therapy
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Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% Bha Pore Cleaning Toner
Free of alcohol and other skin-stripping ingredients that irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin types, the Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner uses clarifying salicylic acid to remove all traces of impurities and oil from the pores to treat and prevent breakouts from forming. This top-rated toner also brightens and smooths your skin using an antioxidant-rich and nourishing blend of purifying moringa and soothing chlorella.
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Use Neem Leaves To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne On Forehead
Neem is an abundant source of antibacterial compounds. It is the ultimate solution to reduce acne that has been used widely even in commercial products.
How to use?
- Grind a few fresh leaves of neem in a blender
- Add water to form a paste
- Apply it on affected areas of your body.
- Let it stay for about twenty minutes
- Wash off with regular water
- Pat dry
Benefits of using Neem leaves
Neem not only kills the bacteria causing hormonal acne but also alleviates the inflammation and redness with its antimicrobial and soothing properties. The use of neem leaves can even cure the hormonal acne on the jawline.
Precaution
The smell of the plant is quite strong, and few people may be allergic to it. Make sure you choose wisely.
Why Do Androgens Such As Testosterone Cause Acne
Androgens cause changes in the skin and directly drive inflammation. Here are the three reasons why androgens cause acne:
This diagram shows the complex effects of androgens in the skin that cause acne:
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What Are The Best Oral Contraceptives For Women With Hormonal Acne
We know that dealing with hormonal acne can be super frustrating, so the idea of taking a birth control pill sounds like an appealing way to help to regulate hormones and get breakouts under control. However, before you start taking birth control pills, you should know that not all contraceptives work the same way and that some birth control pills can actually make acne worse. Seriously. Talk about a bummer. But knowledge is power, and here’s what you need to know.
The best oral contraceptives to control hormonal or adult acne are the ones that contain Ethinyl estradiol and one of the following: drospirenone, norethindrone, or norgestimate. Beware that oral contraceptives are contraindicated in women with a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, breast cancer, and women that smoke.
A study recently published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology categorized the different types of contraceptives by their efficiency in clearing acne. These are the birth control pills the study said significantly improve hormonal acne: Yaz, Ocella, Yasmin, Trinessat, MonoNessa, Apri, and Reclipse. Pretty long list, right?
There are also some contraceptives that the study found to have little or no effect on acne. Those are Nuvaring, Microgestin pills, and Orthoevra . The study also found that some contraceptives can actually make acne WORSE. That list includes Depo-Provera , Skyla, Lylema, Implanon, and Nexplanon .
How To Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally
In some cases, plant-based treatment options may be used to clear up mild hormonal acne.
Natural treatments are usually free of the side effects sometimes caused by prescription options. But they may not be as effective. Research on natural options is lacking, and at this time nothing has been proven to produce results. Talk with your doctor about potential risks and to ensure the treatment wont interact with any medications youre taking.
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What Is Hormonal Acne
First, its important to understand the difference between hormonal acne and good old fashioned pimples. Hormonal acne is intrinsically linked to your hormones. The hormones that cause this type of acne are fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone, which both vary widely throughout the menstrual cycle month, S. Manjula Jegasothy, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Miami Skin Institute tells SELF. In addition, the ratio of each of these hormones to each other can also affect womens testosterone levels, and can also be causative in hormonal acne. Lastly, cortisol, the stress hormone, can affect all of these hormones, too.
It is believed that hormonal fluctuations, which can be menstrual or cyclical in women do cause increased oil production in the pore, says Jegasothy. This is how skincare experts believe hormonal acne starts, although the actual cause has yet to be determined.
Switch To A Low Sodium Diet
While there are no current studies that definitely conclude that high levels of sodium in the diet directly contribute to acne, it is a possible cause. Processed and fast foods contain high levels of sodium. Honestly, as you probably know, these foods are not good for your skin due to the amounts of sugar, synthetic chemicals, trans fats, and lack of nutrients they contain.
Additionally, high sodium levels do correlate to inflammation in the body, which as we know can cause acne and other health concerns.
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Consider Your Diet To Avoid A Hormonal Imbalance
How to treat hormonal acne has a lot to do with your diet, namely the consumption of dairy. “Studies have shown that dairy can worsen acne,” says Jeremy Fenton, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group.” Dairy has been shown to stimulate testosterone production in people who consume it, and spikes in testosterone can worsen acne. Dairy also naturally contains its own hormones, such as estrogen, which can exert their own impact on a person’s hormonal balance.” The worst culprit, believe it or not, isfat-free dairy. Fenton explains that removing fat from the dairy concentrates its food items and causes them to be absorbed by the body faster, meaning hormonal spikes occur more quickly.
Foods high in sugar are another culprit to blame. “I would recommend avoiding refined flour, sweets, and processed carbohydrates,” says Fenton. “The exact mechanism isn’t known for certain, but we believe that these refined carbs lead to an insulin spike, which causes a hormonal cascade that can increase inflammation and oil production.”
Try these acne treatment pads from First Aid Beautythey contain maximum strength two percent salicylic acid to minimize inflammation in existing acne flare-ups and also keep new ones at bay.
Stay Away From Cows Dairy :
Research shows that dairy can cause acne due to high levels of iodine. While milk itself does not naturally contain iodine, farmers give their cows iodine-fortified feed to prevent infection. They also use iodine solutions to sanitize cow udders and milking equipment. As a result, the iodine gets into the milk itself.
According to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology consuming dairy specifically, low fat/skim milk is much higher in teenagers who have acne. Safer options are goat and sheep milk.
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What Is Fungal Acne Vs Hormonal Acne
Fungal acne and hormonal acne are often confused with each other because both types of acne start in the hair follicles. Fungal acne occurs when excess yeast develops, whereas hormonal acne is caused by excess sebum. Fungal acne can result in whiteheads, itchiness and often becomes red, irritated and inflamed.
What’s The Best Treatment For Hormonal Acne
The best treatment for hormonal acne is different for everyone. Your best options will depend on your specific condition and how severe your outbreak is.
Everyone’s acne is unique, and everyone responds to treatment in different ways.
If your acne is moderate or severe , you may want to ask your healthcare provider for treatment recommendations.
They’ll either prescribe you something or recommend an over-the-counter option.
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Natural Remedies For Hormonal Acne
If you prefer a natural remedy for your acne, you may have a few options. However, we should note that there isn’t a lot of research on howâor ifânatural remedies work. Also, if they do work, they’ll probably be best for mild cases of acne.
Let’s go over some natural remedies for acne and see if there’s science to back up their effectiveness:
Vitamin D supplements
A 2016 study found that people with acne were more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency, but the study’s authors couldn’t tell why. More research is needed before we can say if vitamin D supplements help with acne.
Tea tree oils
Multiple studies have found that tea tree oil is an effective way to reduce acne. You should talk to your provider and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations before putting tea tree oil on your skin..
Plant-derived anti-androgensResearchers are studying plant substances to see if they can help reduce an excess of male sex hormones in the body. Natural remedies like spearmint tea, licorice, or green tea seem promising, but scientists have to study them further.
Dietary changesThe scientific community goes back and forth on how food can affect acne, but making some changes to your diet may help decrease how often and how badly you break out.
These diet changes could include:
-
Decreasing your dairy intake, specifically cow’s milk
-
Sticking to a low-glycemic diet
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Drinking more green tea for its potential to reduce sebum production