ACNE TREATMENTS | Hormonal Control & The Pill
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ธ.ค. 2020
- / drdavinlim
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The OCP or oral contraceptive pill or ‘The Pill Is often used to treat acne, including hormonal acne. It can be highly effective in many patients, but what really happens when you stop?
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This video is a spin on things as I really think we are sweeping the underlying condition ‘under the carpet’ for a decade, only to deal with the full force of recurrent acne at one of the most important times of life- conception & pregnancy. No easy solution for patients, & dermatologists.
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Skin Science: Antiandrogens work at the intracrine level, namely reducing androgen modulation in the oil or sebaceous glands. They reduce DHT or dihydrotestosterone.
Anti-androgens include
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Drospirenone: most often in 3mg strength. #Yaz #yasmin
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Cyproterone acetate: include Brenda, Estelle, Diane & Juliet
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Chlormadinone: Avail in US, #Belara, Luteran
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Effects seen: In 2-3 months
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Uses: Female acne, hormonal acne, PCOS, hirsutism, oily skin - seborrhea
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Caution: Clots, DVT, Stroke, PE, mood swings, weight gain, water retention, cramps.
POP or progesterone only pill, Implanon, Mirena can all flare acne
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Action: discuss with your GP or medical dermatologist the risk benefit ratio of the OCP
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Dr Davin Lim
@drdavinlim @cliniccutis
Brisbane, Australia
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#acne #thepill #oralcontraceptive #hormonalacne
Never ever heard anyone talk about this topic in this way. I'm very thankful you explained this. I had a hormonal test done recently which came back normal. This acne thing feels like a lost battle and I've pretty much excepted it as a normal part of my life at 28 years old. If it's genetic, there's not much I can do.
Hi emily. What are the details of the hormone test you did? Bcs a complete hormone checkup is very expensive in my country 😭😭💰 Is the DHEA & Testosterone test sufficient to detect hormonal imbalances? Because I have had acne since the last few years, mostly on my jawline & neck area. Frustated.
Accutane?
😞😞😞 at 28 I'm planning to start the pill for the first yime in my life. Because I have tried everything else under the sun for about 15 years yet as I speak, I am dealing with 0.5-1cm diameter wide acne on my chin, forehead, jawline and even under my eyes. I pray we get blemish free skin someday
I feel the exact same way he’s the only person who’s explained hormones and acne properly I’m 25 and feeling the same way
Panthotenic Acid in high dose is magic!!!
This is all great advice! I have noticed that cutting sugar, milk and processed carbs from my diet and exercising constantly improved my hormonal acne.
Same!!
Same as well!.
Yes this helped, I’m vegan and I exercise often it has helped my acne, cleared my skin. I no longer get those large pores on my cheeks and painful lumps on my jawline. Also stop smoking too.
This didn't work for me
Yeah I know this is a true tale because I lived it when I was on keto and exercising.
Thank you for making this video. It was so informative and a testament to my life experiences. It was refreshing to hear your video. I've seen many doctors and no one has explained the challenges like you have. Your video no longer makes me feel crazy. This is tough!
This is incredible information - it feels so relieving to hear the validity behind what you’re going through! I took myself off hormonal birth control 6 months ago and my acne is now out of control. I did it to get to the bottom of my hormone issues, I hope to find the discrepancy and begin treatment/supplementation to regulate my hormones. Hopefully this will rid my acne and cure all the other issues I am facing due to my hormone imbalance. And you’re right Dr Davin - it’s not talked about enough!!! Thank you!
Excellent explanation! Nerver heard before!Specially the last part of the video!! Thanks 😊 Dr Lim!! 🤩👏🏼👏🏼
Yes, I had this problem. Went on the pill in my early 20s, got off pill and had two lovely boys. Was acne free until I hit my late 30s, then out of the blue terrible hormonal acne. Went back on the pill for about a year. It helped but never got rid of it totally, so I decided to get off. I’m 42 now and I can honestly say it was terrible dealing with hormonal acne. I’ve finally gotten a handle on it but it was a real struggle. It really messed with my self esteem and I have such empathy for anyone dealing with it. Watching my diet (food sensitivities), sticking to a BASIC skin regimen (cleanser, moisturizer, spf) and taking a few supplements have seem to work for me now.
Which supplements did you find to help your acne?
I am so thankful for you to explain this, I have never heard anyone else talk about this. I am 26 now, and I have been struggling with acne since I was 15. I tried various types of pill, but none was really helpful. I'm just here to say that, yes, acne is a real struggle that seems endless. I surely belong to the adult female group who experiences acne.
the way you explained instances of hormonal acne in people with a seemingly-normal hormonal balance made a lightbulb go off in my head. you're an excellent science communicator and i really appreciate you sharing your personal insight here in this channel!
Went off the pill and definitely saw a resurgence of my acne. Still working on getting it under control and would love more advice on that
Loved this content. Most doctors don't talk about this, and make us feel like we're broken. Thanks you!
Thank you thank you thank you Dr! I think this is what is happening to me, i have tried every oral medication under the sun with no long lasting results, with the contraceptive pill i got better while i was on it, but got a bunch of uncomfortable side effects because of it, so left it, twice. Im currently using adapalene (because neither of the derms i went to visit ever considered topical treatment, which is mind blowing to me). So lets see how it goes. Thank you for your hard work Dr! Unfortunately not many go as in depth to investigate and care for their patients as you, and im so grateful to have found you. Keep up the good work!
I’m 53 and have had acne since I was a teenager, I was on accutane twice and my cystic acne always came back. I’ve tried everything including antibiotics, and vitamins and everything I could think of. I’ve run out of options. Problem skin is so overwhelming at times.
greetings from Canada🇨🇦
Have you tried spironolactone? It works great for hormonal acne!
My gosh I’m the same. Am about to turn 40 and have started to resign myself to the fact that maybe i should just accept it as a part of my life. Roaccutane has been the best option for me but same as you, it comes straight back after. It can be extremely overwhelming can’t it no matter how long you live with it. Have tried absolutely everything by the book! Thank you for sharing xx
Rhalou did u took some blood test before took spiro?
I’d recommend cutting out gluten from your diet for a month and see if this helps you 🌸
I heard that spiro does wonders. my dr. refused to rx it bcuz its for high blood pressure patients. look up rice water wash im making my 1st batch tonite
I´m 34 and acne-free because of the pill, currently taking Bella face. I started with BC around 8 months ago, but before that I was totally against the pill, I was and AM scared of the side effects like cancer and such.. so I tried EVERYTHING.. supplements, benzoil peroxide, accutane, went vegan, then vegetarian, I do yoga to try to keep my stress levels at bay.. and nothing worked! so I got tired, went to the gyno and he prescribed the BC.. I think is also fair to say that I suffer from endometriosis and have a 3 year old child. So, now, I honestly feel so much better, no acne, no crazy mood swings because before the pill my mood was crazy specially before my period. It was insane. Like, about to end myself insane.. but now my periods are normal..idk but.. the pill kinda changed my life for the better..but Im still somewhat scared to get other side effects...I honestly dont want to stop taking it.. living with acne not only hurts ur self steem, is quite painful and makes daily living difficult..so...yeah.
I’m 30 and have really bad acne. I’ve been considering going back on BC. It also worked really well for me for acne but I had what I’ve side effects unfortunately. I’m happy that it helps with the moodiness for you. I get really extreme PMS too and anxiety so bad leading up to my period and crazy mood swings too. I felt it got worse on BC especially in the beginning, and then mellowed out.
I did have other positives like my pre menstrual migraines completely went away.
But I also had side effects like my sex drive completely went away and having an orgasm became downright impossible even on my own.
If you’re tolerating it well and the pros outweigh the side effects then I say yay!
I tolerated the BC for a while until I felt like I didn’t want to deal with it anymore and unfortunately my acne came right back. I’m still looking for a solution that I can tolerate.
I felt the pill made me really irritable and I don’t like being that way cause I also have a young child which requires a lot of patience.
I was on and off BC for years. I truly believe it caused my PCOS which popped up out of the blue in my 30s. There’s still so much we don’t know about BC. Try your best to get a low dosage (no more than 1.0) and detox
Ever once and a while from the BC
Thanks for finally explaining hormonal acne being at the sebaceous gland level.
I had fairly mild breakouts when I was a teenager. Being very self-conscious, I went on the pill, I think at around 16 or 17. I came off at 21 and seemed to be back to 'normal' after about a year with mild breakouts again. For various reasons, my skin is now the worst it's ever been (I know hormones are a contributing factor due to my medical history), but I am desparately trying to hold off going back on the pill because I know it will only delay the inevitable. Plus, the pill sucks for SO many other reasons! I know a lot of my skin conditions are not necessarily directly related to the pill (I'm 25 now), but those are my reasons for not wanting to go back on.
Editing to say: thank you for covering this topic, Dr Lim! And also for asking for our stories. Much appreciated!
Dr. Lim, can you please make a longer video on hirsutism caused by hormonal imbalance? Specifically, intracine system vs. endocrine system please.
♥️ went off the pill due to mood side effects after being on it for about 4 years. Almost 2 years off the pill and I finally have my normal cycle back, but with horrible acne lol. Starting to see results with topical treatments and diet changes, but damn it is rough. Thank you for explaining how you can have hormonal acne and normal hormone levels! Super helpful info
Bless you for this video! There's just a handful of derms that would speak about these issues! I live with the acne nightmare for 15 years! 34 now and I am being pushed on to antibiotics, spiro or the pill, even though I eventually want to get pregnant and I am fed up of being poisoned with pills. Hope I'll find a doctor like you to work on my acne one day
I absolutely love your videos Dr Lim! My Melbourne-based derm put me on yasmin at the age of 18 due to my cystic acne and I am still on it at age 25. I am absolutely petrified of getting off the pill when it comes time to start trying for a baby with my fiance but I am hoping my skin routine will help me out. I still got a few bouts of cystic acne since being on the pill but since watching youtube derms like yourself and Dr Sam Bunting, I can now see that that my cystic acne was due to my poor skin hygiene (long-wear foundations, not cleansing, etc). I am now using tret 0.025, azelaic acid and salicylic acid and my skin is the best it's ever been. I also found that blue and red light therapy helped immensely in getting rid of my cystic acne!
I would love for you to have a live q&a session with your audience. I am a resident dermatologist and i think i can learn a lot from that.
Omg someone that actually explains it well and clearly. Thank you for understanding that the pill isn't a miracle solution. I came off the pill due to side effects and have been struggling with adult acne ever since. I've tried retrieve and doxy, and nothing is working... it's so disheartening.
Naomi Weber I'm thinking about getting back on the pill, but also got off because of not wanting side effects
Coming out of pills and Acne is back. Starting with Accutane. Your content is fantastic! Very concise yet detailed! Thank you so much!
Love that you talk about this. I’m 33years old now and still have hormonal acne, It started since puberty hit so I was 13yo. Was on Dianette and Yasmin pill for a few years but acne got very severe around 17yo. So had 3 to 4 rounds of accurate as it kept creeping back after a year or so, eventually was told I’m in a small percentage of people that accutane doesn’t work for. So I was left feeling like there’s nothing I could do!
Although it’s less severe now i still get monthly breakouts :-(
Now ur skin is clear?
Thank you so much Dr.Davin Lim.
You saved us from those expensive consultations from those dermatologist.
I just got off the pill for acne and all my acne is coming back 😭 So grateful you made this video !
Yasmin was amazing for my aggressive hormonal acne but as soon as I came off the pill it returned with a vengeance. I did a lot of research into supplements to balance hormones, stopped taking Yasmin and I have been taking them now for around three weeks. After 1 week I stopped getting new cysts, I couldn’t believe it. And *touch wood* I’ve not had any new ones come! I am just left with more red scarring but I’d much rather that. I watched a lot of TH-cam videos but the video by Annie Jaffrey I found most helpful. I take the following supplements: Zinc, Magnesium, Evening Primrose Oil, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and B complex. I hope this helps someone else also suffering 🤞🏻
Can you link the video please? 🤓
@@SN-qc5vb of course! th-cam.com/video/u2AR7jGUbcs/w-d-xo.html
I've been on Yasmin for 4 years now. I'm 29 and I'm so scared of my acne returning when I stop the pill to try to get pregnany in the future
@@nicolettec6681 if you had hormonal acne previously it’s highly likely it will return when you stop taking yasmin 😔
I take the same! Came off the pill.
Doc you are the best ! Really - thanks for the content, you are the only one creating this deep knowledge, very appreciated. I know it is a big ask but would you consider to add subtitles? English is not my first language and when mixed with medical terms gets trickier for me to understand. Thank you upfront !
Thank you for sharing this 👏🏻 Has taken me 1,5 years to get hormonal acne under control after quitting the pill. Worried about getting on other contraceptives now and start all over again. Didn’t have much acne before, started as teen, so taken the pill for 12 years. One product that has helped me after quitting it is Dermalogica’s Superfoliant, but two supplements that has made the biggest difference for me recently is B5 and zink 🙂
Thank you so much for all that in-depth information! I've been suffering from hormonal acne since I'm a teen, went on the pill for about 8 years, went of it about 3 years ago (I'm 26 now) and still struggling with controlling my acne. I've been prescribed all kinds of topical creams and was on antibiotics (doxy) for 3 1/2 months but nothing worked so far. I do notice I break out less when I eat healthy, less dairy and less sugar, but one week before my period I break out no matter how clean I ate the weeks before -.- It's so frustrating! Wishing everyone who is suffering like me lots of love and good luck to fix their skin
You’re telling my life story. I can’t tell you how long my primary care has been telling me that my acne was not caused or worsened in my late 20s and early 30s by mirena IUD. It wasn’t until six years and and permanent damage that my dermatologist helped me get it under control with tretinoin azelaic acid and topical antibiotics. Thank you for sharing this I know when I have a daughter I’m gonna give her all the information available before we start anything.
Thank you for this video! I started contraceptive pills on my 20’s for its contraceptive effects only. Last year, during lockdown (47 yo) I stopped taking it. Three months with huge and painful acne... when I saw blood spots on my pillow in the morning I’ve decided, with my gynecologist, to go back with pills. I met my acne-free skin again. Seems I’ll reach 70’s under pills...
Thank you for your explanations on so many different procedures and treatments!
Which pill were you on like the name ?
i recently got on the pill for very lengthy and painful periods. it’s cleared my hormonal acne too. i have a decent skincare routine but don’t think i could have achieved this level of clear skin with non-medicinal interventions. you do raise a good point though, as most women won’t be on the pill indefinitely. i don’t plan on getting off it for my acne and period struggles.
Very very helpful by explaining info that most doctors don’t talk about👍
So interesting to learn more about hormonal acne. I am one of those woman who suffered from hormonal and from my 13th to my now 29 years. First I was on Diane pil but that one was bad so i switched to Yasmin. Both pills controlled my acne very well! Then around the age of 26 ish I wanted to stop using birth control just because people were reacting on it well and felt better mentally. But that brought back a lot of acne on my face and my upper arms. Also very sensitive to pigmentation so result: a lot of brown spots everywhere and new and coming in more spots etc. Depressing I can tell. Now I'm on a lighter pill which doesn't have any anti androgens and my acne is back but I seem to control it better now I'm not eating diary, have a refined sugar free month and using niacinamide, microneedling for scars.
It feels like a never ending story. And i am happy that someone like you can help me understand it better to have a better solution to it. Thank you for that
I have struggled with my skin since I was 9, diagnosed with PCOS and on Yasmin OCP from age 16 to 28, was not encouraged to take a break at any point, came off to have children and have struggled with acne and blackheads for 3 years, so little help from GPs just telling me to go on the pill, from watching your videos and others I did my own research and have learnt a lot more, i have used environ skin care for years, which breaks the bank but still had horrensous blackheads and acne, have recently started including the ordinary and started using epiduo and antibiotics and finally seeing change, I also have just started electrolysis for hair on my face and finding good results so far, thank you for your videos they are great!
I have experienced exactly what you’ve described in this video. Had acne as a teenager, went on the pill, stopped it after a few years and my skin went crazy. I’ve been trying almost everything for the past 4 years… The pill, topical treatments, oral medication, supplements like zinc and other multivitamins for clear skin… and somehow in the end I started to see some improvements. I still get about 2-3 cysts every now and then but I am going to completely remove diary and sugars from my diet and see what improvement that will bring. It’s so frustrating because the doctors have never explained to me all these things you’ve just mentioned in your video… and my hormone levels were perfectly fine, no signs of PCOS at my last Ultrasound scan… but I still get these cysts every now and then.
I will try with the diet and hopefuly that will bring an improvement to my acne.
Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us :)
The diet is so hard to stick to though! Can't eat a y thing fun. No ice cream, nothing fried, no butter, no candy or baked goods, how I love lemon bars!
I’m exactly the case you are talking about. 10 years on the pill and never an issue with acne, sometimes a few pimples here and there. Now, at 29 years old, coming off the pill I got proper acne. It’s been 9 months and now it’s getting a bit better, the acne is less cystic and more superficial. I used Epido for 9 months and just recently switched over to otc retinol in the evening. Hoping that it will completely clear out in the coming months, but let’s see...
Same situation for me >.
Love your content, so interesting! Thank you so much!
The best doctor & acne advice on the planet!!!!!! Thank you for your informational videos. I wish you were my derm!
This was so helpful. In my case i had really bad teen acne. It went away in my mid twenties. I had a baby and boom it was back! And on paper my hormones were in line but i just didn’t feel right and obviously had a visual reminder of it every time i looked in the mirror. I have been on and off the pill ever since. Trying to find the best way possible coz it’s not just the acne i want get a hold on my overall health and it us sooo tricky. Thanks for this informative video.
sadly that happens to me... what's worse is that acne comes along disappointment from difficulty conceiving as well as maskne, which doesn't help the self esteem... Thank you for the video, really helpful!
I went off the pill earlier this year after using it for 10 years. My skin was fine in the first few months BUT NOW it’s terrible. I have hormonal acne on my jaw line that I’ve never had before. My OBGYN said this might be my new normal. I treated myself to a facial this morning to help with extractions. It’s been almost 9 months, I would have thought things normalized by now.
Please post more about how to treat acne and rebalance after stopping the pill.
New sub! Glad I found ur channel 👋🏼
I hate that 'new normal' BS. Pardon my language. Our faces are inflamed and doctors are saying it is normal? I refuse to believe it. I'm gonna be trying to find a cure until I find it.
I've already descovered something: vitamin d helps with fungal acne. These were tiny bumps on my forehead that sometimes would get super inflamed. That problem is solved now. Moving on, I need to get rid of my deep jawline cysts and I'm gonna do it. I'm ready to go 100% raw vegan and 100% carnivore to try if any diet changes will work for me. I will never accept it, I will never give up.
I feel like i had the same experience. i came off yasmin (generic) after about 10 years during covid lockdown. the only thing i feel made an impact was probiotics. I still have acne but it's not as egregious. I even tested it by going off of probiotics for a month or so and my acne got eventually got worse after not taking it.
also been using tretinoin and I believe that's helped reduce the amount of inflamed closed comedones I get, which is my main problem
You're talking about me...I'm in my thirties. Tried nearly everything; soft Lazer treatment, expensive products, the pill, herbal products, cutting sugar, carbs, etc...I'm seeing some improvement, though, now that I'm in a better space mentally and emotionally. My problem is scarring, but it's been self-inflicted; due to emotional battles. I've given up on products and treatments, trying not to stress over it, but it has affected my confidence in a major way. I've always been an extrovert, but not any longer.
I went on Accutane when I was 16 to deal with teenage acne and it was a lifesaver. However when I was 22, adult hormonal acne hit and I've now been on the pill for 2 years to keep that at bay. I get terrible migraines and I want to get off the pill but I'm so scared of my acne coming back. Definitely effected my self esteem and mental health, to the point where I'd rather take the risk and get migraines :'(
Same, i stopped the pill after 7 years because of the migraines. Was off of it for 8 months and i cant deal with the acne anymore i just got back on the pill. Believe me i tried EVERYTHING and it cost me so much money and time but nothing worked
@@joaaaaas spriloactone many said that it good for acne
I completely agree with your point. I was on pills for about one year to control my hormonal acne and got off the pill thinking that it was under control. Oh man, it came back after three months and was even worse than before. Now I am taking the slow conventional approach of exercising, cutting sugar, and applying Adapalene cream daily. Like you said, taking pills is more like masking the problem but eventually the things we swept under the carpet need to be vacuumed out.
How is the adapalene doing for you?
@@kstayblessed It is working well. I am off adapalene now and my face is clear
My hormone test came back normal, but I see huge improvements at certain times of the month and my skin becomes oily and very clogged at others. I also have hair growth patterns on my face but since my acne is more on my cheeks than my jaw, I was always confused as to whether it was hormonal or not. The only thing that keeps it in check is adapalene. Any kind of BHA, AHA or chemical peel makes my skin 10 times worse. Thank you fo this video I would love to hear more about the intracrine reason for overactive sebaceous glands and what the possible solution could be..
Thank you so much for sharing! This is exactly my problem. I have PCOS and I was using the pill and several topics treatments for years (recommended by my dermatologist). Now I have 33 years... I stop taking the pill 10 months ago and I been struggling with my hormonal acne. I'm using azelaic acid, glycolic wash, salicylic acid, adapalene, taking care of my diet... It helps a little but definitely not enough. I'm really happy with this video, is the first time I saw this kind of information from a dermatologist and is really helpful.
I wish I found this video sooner! About 5 years ago, I got off the pill (yaz) after 7 years and I went through blazing acne in my mid twenties! It was a terrible time in my life I will NEVER forget. It toke 3-4 years to calm my acne down, and now I think its cured from using topical retinoids. However, there is minor scarring. I regret going on the pill for this reason.
Thank you. You’re videos are very helpful.
I have had acne since I was 14, and I’m 24 now. I had been using topical adapalene all throughout that time but still had flare ups. Over the last year it became the worst it has ever been. My cheeks and jawline were just covered in painful bumps. It really just made me not want to leave the house. I went on the pill about 3 months ago and I’m finally seeing improvement, while on tretinoin as well. I’m terrified of going off the pill and my acne coming back went I want to start a family ☹️
This is me 🖐️. Went off the pill after 13 years of continued use, by the end I disliked the way the pill made me feel. It's taken me almost 2 years to get my skin back under control. Can't live without my Tretinoin 🙏
Hi Dr Lim, I've had mild acne since I was 17. Never took any meds until a few years ago in my mid 30s when I developed cystic acne on my chin. I was on antibiotics minocycline for 11 months along with differin gel. Had to be taken off antibiotics as I developed v bad folliculitis on shin. Skin did improve in the latter months on this med. few months later went on pill Jasmine but 4 months into this I developed Erythema Nodusum. Was told pill wasn't the cause, reason still unknown. My acne never improved on pill and when I came off it got worse. For last two years I have been on no meds, cut meat out of diet, changed skin care products to Simple Range and eat lots of veg and fish. I now have clear skin. I will say during the acne I had a few v stressful years and I am convinced this is the true cause. I know everyone is different and I never had severe acne but I would recommend dealing with acne in a natural way and not meds. I wish everyone success in their acne journey as I know it is extremely hard on people's mental health. X
I was on Dianette for years which worked like a dream! But in recent years doctors seem to be quite hesitant to prescribe it and I haven’t found other oral contraceptives as consistently helpful e.g. I still have to watch my diet too whereas on dianette I could eat as much dairy as I liked:) But yes, as soon as I come off the pill the acne comes right back without fail... it’s worst on my chin. Please come back to Ireland some day!
I have the same problem. I'm 29yrs old and never had any problem with acne before. My acne problem started last year when I stopped using contraceptive pills and I never thought of going back to pills. I have tried using acne treatment creams but it's getting worst. Having this acne makes me really feel depressed and awful. :(
Now, I'm thinking of going back to pills as I am really desperate to get my acne-free skin back. I hope it works. I have been reading the comments section and I learned a lot from you all and this video really helps a lot.
Thank you so much Dr. Lim. I hope you can create more videos like this.
You described exactly my life.
Teenage acne, hormones, pregnancy=acne and now in early 30s I started acutane.
Have been on Yaz for almost 10 years for my acne. In my late 20s my adult hormonal acne well and truly kicked in and wasn’t controlled entirely by Yaz. So I figured if it wasn’t helping anymore with my more persistent acne, I should switch for a cheaper alternative. The hormonal acne got much worse. I gave it a few months but went back to Yaz.
I have problems with body focused repetitive behaviours and my skin picking is bad. I once had a serious infection from picking acne and was lucky to avoid hospital.
I manage it with Yaz, adapelene, and non prescription topical products.
My skin is sensitive, and reacts to some actives like vitamin c and glycolic acid.
So I am concerned by how I will manage being off OCP while trying to conceive and then pregnant.
It’s comforting to know that other people have this concern.
Thanks for the video doctor! Would be interesting to know if there are any other pleiotropic effects of OCP that could explain why they work for people with only intracrine hormonal acne.
Between age 34-44yrs, I’ve been off the pill and suffering from adult acne. Topical gel acne medication helped greatly, for the rest of my face, but not my jawline, and especially during my period and ovulation! The blemishes are getting me down so, I’ve finally caved in and seeking to go back on the pill. But the issue is, when I was on the pill, my weight rose to 317lbs, off the pill, my body weight is normal and easier to stay healthy. I feel better off the pill! It’s loose loose. 😢
Thank you so much for talking about this.
I'm here because I've just gone off the pill to conceive! Acne is worse than when I was a teenager! 😔
Babe. So whats ur current update? Im on my ttc for second child too so i cant took any pill. But this hormonal acne is killing me, as am not a teen anymore 😩
You do this so well. I’ve been on Roacutane. But the normal birth control has never worked for me. I’ve switched from one to the other with no success.
This is exactly what happened to me! I was on the pill since I was 17 and I’m 22 now, I stopped the pill mid way through the year because the doctor said my prolactin levels were too high, after 3 months my skin got really bad, especially my forehead. So I decided to go back on the pill however my skin is still recovering. I only start topical treatments about 2 months ago and incorporated vitamin A, B and C, and I’m just about to try Azelaic acid too. It’s gotten significantly better then it was 3-4 months ago however it’s still got a bit of clearing up to do. I also started taking zinc supplement and lactoferrin 2 weeks ago which has helped a lot
I have this exact problem and I’m in my early 30’s now and still haven’t found the solution..yet! I’m now seeing a naturopath and taking supplements to help with my endocrine and pituitary gland communication lines, as apparently the pill has stop/switched off this communication from my brain to the endocrine, causing a lack of hormone production - also causes a absent of periods/ irregular periods....however this has taken me a year to discover with my naturopath. So this goes beyond just having acne on the jawline - you need to look at the bigger picture.
This resonates with me. I have been through accurate twice and the acne came back both times. I’m now 26. I did birth control and spironalactone which helped, but the birth control caused melasma. I got off both, but now the acne is coming back. I think I am about to go back on spiron reluctantly… was hoping to be off everything to start trying for babies.
I’m gonna start the pill to help with the endometriosis pain....I do suffer from adult acne so that’s 2 birds with 1 stone ! 👏
I took acutane because my acne was quite severe, I finished the treatment 10 years ago and I did not note the side effects.some years later I had depression but I dont think it was due to acutane.
greetings from Spain
My doctor put me on birth control at 15 and I currently have nexplanon. I've had severe acne since my teen years but I don't want to go off birth control until my boyfriend and I are ready. So it's like a double edged sword. I've been considering pills like yaz and no ones ever said that acne could relapse after. Thank you so much for the education its really eye opening
If you ever want to switch to a non hormonal birth control, try a copper IUD! I got one back in November, and it’s been great :) no hormones whatsoever, and even better at preventing pregnancies than regular birth control pills
This happened to me. Found out I have PCOS at 29; the pill was masking all of my symptoms. Yasmin worked perfectly since I was a teen to help my acne. Never had scaring until it returned as an adult. I'm now pregnant and my chest and back have broken out into rash like acne, spreading up my neck and down my back.😣
I went on yasmin aged 22 for acne along with topicals worked really well. Exactly as you said came off the pill aged 33, after 6 months went straight back on it as the acne came right back!
Same for me, took less time to see the bad breakouts though, they came back after 2 months :(
Same with me after 2 months off taking pills my acne is back😭😭😭
This is by far the preachest talk about this topic I've ever heard! thank you so much doc, we really appreciate it
Thanks for talking about this!
I love these videos so much
I have PCOS and suffered cystic acne that was difficult to treat even with pills and other topical. Later I changed my diet completely and went on a sugar-free, lactose-free diet and avoided many carbs. Within 3 months not only did the acne subside but the scars disappeared and my GP’s were shocked to see the change. But now I am going to start with Dianette for my hair loss. I am 35 btw.
Thank you for discussing this! Exactly what happened to me…had great skin but decided to come off the pill because of the blood clot risk with yasmin. Within 3 months I had painful cystic acne, so I rushed back to yasmin and my skin was back to flawless. Now I’m quite frustrated that so many females are given birth control as a band aid, without getting to the root cause. It’s been a month since I decided to come off of yasmin and I’m going to work through and find a ‘natural’ solution. Good luck to anyone facing this, you’re not alone!
Any update? I'd love to know how you were doing with acne these days
Any update?
Plz doc do deep explanation on hormonal acne. I am 38years and still suffering from hormonal acne.
For me, I already tested going off the pill and I know my acne does return (I'm already in my twenties). What I do is I use tret now, even though it seems I don't need it. I also take care of my skin using BHAs and AHAs, niacinamide and vitamin c, as well as green tea extract. That way I am in my best shape if I want to get off the pill.
I am 23. I was on the pill for about 2 years and I left it in april just when quarantine started and had the worst acne breakout in years. It was on my back, my neck my chest and my face and It is finally calming down. I am currently seeing a dermatologist and will be trying topical treatments because I dont want this to happen again.
Struggling with the same thing. Chest, neck and back acne on top of face acne. It’s horrible! What do you think has helped your skin improve?
Thank you! I have struggled w acne basically my whole life (I'm 39). Still struggling but tretinoin and azelaic acid helps. I still struggle with harmonal acne every month. Have tried spiranolactone and had bad reactions. Im on IUD and might switch to pill (done having children). And dont love option to try isotretinoin. Wish I could be fully done with acne 🤦♀️
OMG, this is what happened to me. I notice my hormones went wracko after I went off and I have since been afraid to go back on any pills, even when my period is also out is whack now and extreme heavy.
I’ve suffered with hormonal acne since my early twenties, which I have been on the contraceptive pill to help control. I am now 33 and my father since died of an embolism so my doctor advised to come of it. What do you make of the bio identical hormones?
I recommend book Period Repair Manual. Helped me to understand hormones, periods and cure acne natural way 🙏🏼
Thank you for this. My periods are kinda irregular which makes me think this is what's making my acne worse
Yes, this is exactly what I went through. I never had problems with my skin, I took the pill for 6 months and after I stopped I had a terrible case of hormonal acne, so bad I even decided to go on accutane, which I really didn't want to do, but the fear of scarring was big. The pill ruined my life.
which pills
Hi Dr Davin, i live in Houston Texas can you recommend a Docctor here for scar revison? Thank you
Thank you so much for discussing this
I was on the pill for 2yrs to control my hormonal acne and it did a wonderful job even scarring disappeared. When pandemic hit last year,I wasn't able to visit my doctor to continue the pill so I stop taking for about 4 months now,and it is flaring pretty bad right now,Just made and appointment to get back on the pill,Prolly for life or at least until I turn 50.. One side effect about the pill,Is,It gives you Anxiety sometimes depression and very moody. I hate that I have to feel that why but I love how it clears up my hormonal acne.
Thank you for your video. I used the pill since my early teens until last year (33 years old)
My acne was controlled until then.
Now, I am Trying to control my acne with topical products (azelaic acid, niacinamide, bakuchiol, salicylic acid)
It is not easy. But I am doing my best
Some hormonal bc like IUD can actually make acne worse!! I certainly experienced that.
Excellent explanation thanks Dr Lim!! I am 37 years old and used contraception pill for 18 years and my skin was perfect, and when I stoped to take pill the acne start to appear in my jawline. And now after 3 years not taking pill I still fighting with acne and acne scars. I had been trying everything on market and nothing stoped the acne to appear. It is very frustrating ☹️☹️ I really need help.
What your saying is so true.
I'm 20, when I was 17/18 went to the gyno, had a cyst on one ovary and multiple small ones on the other one. Been on the pill since then, this year acne had cleared up completely and cysts were gone, so I was advised to take a break with the pill... Acne cane back even worse and I'm just devastated
I have been on the pill since I was 14 and now at 25 have tried going off and only 1 month in, my skin is definitely breaking out quite a bit. I am using differin so hopefully this will help keep it under control.
I've been on Spironolactone 200 mg/day since I was 23 (now 27). I plan on conceiving in probably the next 5 years or so and this is something I have always been curious about! I will hate if all my acne comes back!!
Thank you for this video,I stated yaz yesterday will come back after 2 months and give feedback
This is exactly what I am afraid of. I went on birth control around 15 years ago. I never had problems with my skin before I went on it, but in my early twenties I came off of it for 3 months and it was terrible. I got horrible breakouts, and breakouts in places I had never had before (my chest). I was only off for 3 months and broke out so bad (for 6 months) that I had red scarring for over a year. I'm now in my early thirties and thinking of coming off to try for a baby. I'm now terrified to go off of it. I will go off and deal with the acne before trying for a baby I think.
When I check the comments I felt there are so many of us suffering from acne in this advance science periods also we are not able to treat acne from root .
I felt so sad
But hey girls and boys out there let's try to accept it .
We have only one life let's forget all this worries and cherish the moment .
Lots of love from Sikkim
God bless you al
And I prey to god that we will come out of this skin issue soon .
Loved the explanation of intracrine vs endocrine when it comes to hormonal acne! I've never heard of it before but very interesting! I've been on the pill (Estelle) since I was a teenager for my skin and have had adult acne rear its head in the past year or two (now 28) while still on the pill. I guess that would suggest this intracrine mechanism you spoke about. My derm has recently started me on differin so I'm crossing my fingers that this might do the trick for me and then make it easier to transition to a lower dose pill in future 🤞Always appreciate the information you share!
I was on the pill during my teens until they realised that my migraines put me at a high level of risk. I've had awful acne along my jawline and cheeks since my mid twenties. I went on roaccutane for a while which cleared everything up after 3 months, but then it returned about a year later. I think it my adult acne might have coincided with my mirena, and it's odd that no-one has mentioned it before. Lately I've had moderate success with bpo body/face wash. salicyclic and glycolic acid. Nothing seems to prevent new blind pimples from developing though. After watching this video I think I'll ask my GP about getting my hormones checked.
Please, talk about the effect of eating bread with yeast on jawline acne. They look like cysts, very painfull.
Love your videos ❤
I've been struggling with adult acne for a few year... I now have Implanon and using Retin-A (Differin before), but it keeps coming back. I'm going to try to see a dermatologist, but it really is frustrating...