I'm an endocrinologist who suffer from PCOS and cyctic acne .. I recently started Spironolactone upon your recommendation as I was only applying Retinoal and Azelic acid but didn't work for me .. I just want to say thank you for helping me making this decision.. you saved my skin .. my wedding is in 2 month and my skin is already becoming glowy
@@katierosealexander8132 My skin is amazing without pregnancy. Pregnancy has A LOT of downsides and fucks the body up big times. My friend's mom got depressed after her 2nd pregnancy, and my mom got disc prolapse after the pregnancy of twins (we were too heavy for her) and gained 30kg of weight💀
@@NoctLightCloud yeah I wasn’t saying pregnancy doesn’t have hard things I’ve had 5 with many troubles including almost dying in birth so don’t need that explained. Just that skin problems for me stopped, which is solely about hormones. Chill out
My acne doesn’t care about when my period is. I went on accutane and for the 2 years after that I actually loved my skin. Now I’m right back to hating it. I’m convinced my hormones are out of whack month-long but all my doctors refuse to run more specific tests for it. But recently the derm put me back on spironolactone as if we didn’t try that already (the anxiety was too much). I’m finally in a good place with my period after a decade of pain and irregularity and now I’m probably going to lose that to spironolactone. I’m just at a loss.
have you been checked for pcos? i was wondering why she didn't mention that in her video, as it is the underlying reason why many women struggle with all kinds of issues including hormonal acne
I recently stopped oral birth control in an attempt to start a family. I was on it for 7 years unfortunately. Now I am suffering with horrible hormonal/cystic acne on my temples, jawline, neck & back. I don’t want to go back on birth control but I also don’t want to be on spironolactone due to the diuretic effects. I had a horrible time the last 2 years on birth control, which is another reason why I stopped. I am just struggling so bad because i don’t know what else to do besides topical treatments. I can’t get into any dermatologists in my city either so I just feel stuck. It’s embarrassing for me to have acne as an adult and makes me just want to hide.
It really take a huge hit on self esteem.. 😑 It makes us not want to be seen at all. Researching all the tips I can get. Swimming in the summer used to always give me a nice, clear complexion.. but now at 32, these hormonal breakouts are so stubborn and feel defeating. Also Dr G brightening peeling gel on Amazon is the best for exfoliating flaky, dead skin when it starts healing. (Especially for the price) Love some Korean skincare
In my 40's and started struggling with it now in my 40's. It's both just before period and ovulation, so it's twice in a cycle. Thank you for this vid... Dealt with it so thorough
I had no acne up until 25, my self esteem is depleting everyday… I did not expect this and I am really frustrated because now I have to deal with it and eczema also
So sorry you’re going through this! I am in the same boat, but please do not let acne stop you from living your life! You’ll never be this young again! I have let it affect my life and relationship for the last 4 years and I’m realizing the stress could’ve added to the acne problem. Still haven’t cleared my acne but just starting to realize that there’s nothing out there that works for good other than diet and internal health. I suggest working with a functional practitioner to run some tests and find out what’s going on and why your body is having the acne in the first place.
I left the Yaz pill (after 7 years on it) about a year ago and my acne has come back with revenge. I'm 25 now and very frustrated. I've tried diets (like no dairy) to all sorts of topical treatment (retinol, vit C, BPeroxide, Aha Bha, Salacylic acid, glycolic acid, tea tree oil) . Haven't tried some of the recommended in the video but I really am at the end of my rope.
Thank you, Dr. Jenny. My adult acne history is that I’ve been dealing with acne for 12 years straight. It started when I was 12 or 13 and now I’m 25 with no success, I’ve done and used every product, medication, topical creams on earth but all have been temporary fixes that once I’m off of it, breakouts would return. I’ve even worked as a skincare consultant at a beauty company, researching and translating research papers on various skin diseases. Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, niacinamide, mugwort, vitamin c, retinols, bha, aha, tretinoin 0.1%, weeks and months of oral antibiotics, birth control pills, diet changes all had positive effects for some time but couldn’t completely heal my severe cystic acne. Now I’m back with my cyst ridden red inflamed scar face 😢 So I’ve decided to take birth controls again. How long should/can I stay with it?
me too, im suffering a lot from hormonal acne, no matter how good my skin care is. Btw does birth control works? and is there any side effect of it? for now what can i do is just to do acne diet and eat greens, it helps a bit, not 100%
@@reginamarthalia7176 Yeah healthy diet helps but is not a cure for me as well. Yes, birth control was the only thing that worked for me. I achieved clear skin when I was on birth control for 5 months. But it gradually came back. Another reason why I’m on it again is because I always had extremely painful periods to the point that I’d pass out from the pain, scream and go hysterical. I saw a gynecologist the other day and they suggested I get on birth control again and see if I have cystic ovaries. Both my dermatologist and gynecologist said it would get better when I gave birth in the future and that it has smth to do with hormones.
@@reginamarthalia7176 as for side effects, I had terrible mood swings the first time I got on it but it got better. No side effects at all since that time. I consulted with my dermatologist and made sure to get the specific type of birth controls that are prescribed for acne.
Thank you Dr. yes this was so informative! My dermatologist currently has me on spironolactone, azelaic acid and tretinoin and I agree that the combination has been a game changer for me! 🙏🙌
Hi Doc! I have a question- I’m having my periods regularly with no delays but my hormonal acne around my jaw n chin isn’t decreasing . I’ve used the clindamycin gel to kill the bacteria but I keep getting acne at the same spot. It’s not very severe but I’ve never had to deal with acne and scars for more than a month
I have occasional acne and Acne Treatment Dermalmd Serum dries and heals my zits overnight like magic. I prefer the Dermalmd to the Kate Somerville version that is more expensive and not more effective. Love it and highly recommend it!
I’ve had acne since grade 5, at the age of 10! I still have acne to this day, I’m 41. I suffer from seborrhoea, acne, and skin flushing. I don’t know when this will end. I probably will go to my grave with oily acne skin
You aren't doomed to be stuck like this 🫂 although I'm sure my words alone won't convince you. There's more information than ever about skin and skincare now 🤝 Especially insightful videos on youtube like these! 🤗
I'm also in my 40s with very active acne. Oral spearmint pills have essentially eradicated my hormonal acne. For the rest of my face, Korean products have helped me a ton for inflammation and may be worth trying. I try to stick with toners/essences whenever possible, because I layer lots of products. Effective highlight ingredients for me have been mugwort/artemisia, tea tree, snail mucin, propolis/honey, centella asiatica/cica/tiger grass. I also use AHA and BHA to minimize comedonal acne.
I tried spironolactone twice and both times I experienced high levels of anxiety, panic attacks, horrible pms, depression. It was helping the acne but I felt like I was not myself at all. I went off for two weeks but acne cake right back. Went back on spiro and immediately felt the anxiety/ panic come back. So sad because it was actually working. I’m now trying 3 months of tetracycline. Doesn’t feel IdeAl. And I wonder- after the three months will the acne eventually come back? I’m 41 years old and so sick of acne!
My derma prescribed this, the lowest dose to avoid the bad side effects but it didnt even work on my cystic acne.. works soooooooo sooooooo slow.maybe bec it was a lose dose but my derma kept saying i cant go any higher due to health risks....so i stopped and opted to do the topical stuff instead
In my case, I avoided gluten for few months and I could see the difference in a month, because I stop having new breakouts. Now I still eat gluten but less than before, and with skincare I’m trying to control and clear the hyperpigmentation.
Yes it was hard 😂 but that made me realize how much gluten I was consuming! I allowed myself to eat when I really want to or when eating outside. I just avoid cooking o buying to eat in my house. Acne comes back but is less than before, and I think depending of the type of flour or some ingredients my skin react more. Other things that may help: probiotics and benzoyl peroxide cleanser from cerave. Good luck 🤗
I was given tetracycline and doxycycline at different times to combat my acne and ended up with a horrific migraine for almost 3 weeks, couldn't keep food down and struggled to do anything. Not to mind my skin was so sensitive and couldn't get my eyebrows done without taking off about 3 layers of skin. Trying Yasmin now to see if it will do anything even though I really didn't want to go on birth control. Sucks being a woman
Doxycycline increases intracranial pressure. That’s probably what causes the headaches. My derm prescribed it for my hormonal acne but I already have increased ICP thank God I looked up the side effects !
My concern is, i never had a breakout in my entire life. I used to have oily skin back in elementary til highschool but never really had breakouts. maybe just usually have 1 or 2 during my periods. During college, my skin has been so dry still only experience 1 or 2 at most. Not until these days, just a month ago. Like wtf, so much excessive oil and been breaking out so bad. I don’t know what’s going on.
i have deep cystic acne around my mouth especially chin and jawline that wont be gone, everytime one heals another appear it is so painful and feels like a bruise. i am only 17 and i’ve been getting this deep cystic acne since i was 14-15 is hormonal acne? hope you can answer thank you😊
I was on spironolactone and birth control and it helped, but the spironolactone was raising my kidney levels and then I got off the birth control and my periods are worse than ever. I don’t want to get on birth control every again because of that very reason but now my acne is out of control. I don’t know what to do.
My acne did not ever respond to birth control at all, and I had a lot of other symptoms. I'm responding well to tretinoin, although I still have a while to wait for it all to clear consistently.
What about the topical drug winlevi Or topical spiro? These are newer release topical medications for hormonal acne and surprised that they weren’t mentioned. At my last dermatologist appointment she talked about these new drugs and wrote me a script for the winlevi. I suffer from severe migraines and cannot use oral Birth control or spironolactone. I think it’s wonderful that they are now topical options that work in a similar fashion by blocking the androgen hormone affects in the skin without the systematic effects of the oral medication. I don’t know how they compared to the other drugs or how effective they are but I think it’s wonderful that there are no more options💕
Yes they could be an alternative for those you are not able or interested in oral medications but just keep in mind deeper acne often don’t respond as well to topical treatments
I started getting acne when i had an IUD like 5 months ago but the IUD fell out and I didn't even know when it happened however it is out and I'm getting acne like crazy
I had an IUD YEARS ago. Had it removed because it gave me severe cystic acne. My face has never been the same ever since then. It totally messed me up.
Holy shit SAME! To both of these comments. I only had the IUD for a week and had it removed because of the crazy amount of hormones it released. Ever since then my face has been completely f*cked!!!! I’ve never had acne this bad in my whole life even as a teenager 😢 it’s super depressing and I hope we all figure it out 🙏
I've taken Spiro (50 mg daily) on and off for 15 years. I'm 37 now and thinking about getting off of it again. I've been having terrible brain fog for a couple years, (basically since I got back on Spiro after a 2 year hiatus.) My GP and I have investigated the brain fog but haven't found a solution yet. We thought it was a symptom of ADHD, but I'm starting to wonder if it's the Spiro. The bad thing about getting off of Spiro for me is that, if getting off of it doesn't help my brain fog, and my acne comes raging back, and I decide I want to go back on the Spiro, it takes a couple months for it to start working again. Still trying to decide what I'd like to do. Just wanted to share my thoughts and experience. Thanks for the video!
Blessed day. just want to ask the prescribe percentage of benzoyl peroxide to purchase for those experiencing hormonal acne that is under birth control pills? thanks
I wanted to comment because I haven't been able to find any help anywhere. I am 20, so not an older woman haha, but I have had some serious problems with my periods and one of the latest issues I've had is hormonal acne. I don't drink, smoke, or anything like that, I eat a varied diet and I go out for walks in the sunshine when I can, I exercise.. in other words I try really hard to look after myself. I have skin care routines for my face daily and I take vitamin supplements to make sure I get what I need, but nothing I do will get rid of this acne. I wake up with more everyday, my entire face feels bumpy and itchy. I never had acne ever when I was a child, but when I started my periods they were light and almost non existent until I started missing them entirely and then I tried birth control and I had really bad reactions to any contraceptives and started non stop heavy bleeding, even through the combined pill which I took to prevent bleeding and sort out my body. Thats when the acne started, when I took the morning after pill and then the mini pill and now different versions of the combined pill. I can't get stop the acne no matter what I try or what I get prescribed, I'm looking for some answers, anything.
I'm already on Estelle contraceptive, which my Pharmacist says has the same action as Spironolactone in acne treatment - so me taking Spironolactone won't change anything as far as oral medication goes. I use a retinol, and I use Benzol Peroxide twice a day... I get massive cystic acne in my chin area :( never had it growing up, neither did my parents. I'm 31 now and I'm at my witts end. Have booked Drs this week to ask for a Derm referral. Maybe some Tretinoin will help but honestly I don't know where to go from here. I'm also a nurse so spend 32 hours a week in face masks 😬 Maybe some deep chemical peels could help?? Thanks for the information x
I am on Estelle too and have been for over a decade so good to know about the antibiotics because I was considering this as a next step. I was on epiduo as a teen, most acne was erased but now at 31 I’m getting lots of little bumps on my cheeks and jaw line. Not sure if going back on epiduo will work :/
My hormone tests came back normal but I still have acne. What should I do? I have cysts in my ovaries, acne and my hair has been falling out but I can't get help (for what I believe is PCOS) because my hormones are “perfectly fine”.
Hi Dr Jenny new subbie here. First I want to thank you for providing informative vid like this. I suffer acne since my teenage years and now 45 still having what I believe is hormonal acne with deep cystic one that takes a long time to heal. My question is I am taking Spironolactone for 3 years and my face quieted down but still having one or 2 every pre-period. It was prescribed because I am hypertensive too. Is Spironolactone safe for long term use in my case for lifetime since it lowers my BP too? Also will my hormonal acne stops when I menopause or it will get worse? Thanks and always I am waiting for your very thoughtful and caring videos.
I never had acne. Ever. I am 32 and got my tubes removed 2 years ago and started dealing with this last year. Could that have caused hormonal imbalance? My periods also started lasting only a day or 2 when they used to be 5.
@@priscillabernal8835 it's hormonal same with mine. Mine was gone when i was not depressed anymore. I took multivitamins, avoided stress as much as possible, and tried to do a healthier lifestyle. I hope yours will be gone too. 🙏❤️
I had to get on spiro when I suddenly went from cleared skin to really bad cystic acne. It went away and I had peace until now I’m almost 30 and I’m experiencing a bunch of texture and red dots EVERYWHERE. I’m so frustrated and upset. I’m pretty sure it’s stress for me, but I don’t know how to calm the hell down
How do you tell if it's time to see a Derm for topical spironolactone? I get breakouts during my cycle and nothing has worked (niacinamide, retinol, BHA, benzoyl peroxide) all used at different points throughout the week not at one time. But they don't see to keep the breakouts away..... :( I also recently got naturism azelaic acid, and a hipoclourus acid spray. How do you tell if it's time to look to spiro? Thank you!!!
Thanks for your informative video! I have a question. I suddenly started to have moderate hormonal pimples on cheeks 2 years ago, I've been on Diane pill and topical tretinoin for 3 months now and my skin is great. I think my physician plans to continue it for 6 months. But after coming off the pill, will acne come back? What can i do then? Bc i'm done with acne and want a permanent treatment😣
Hey I'm in your situation. I had a bad case of acne and then my doctor prescribed Diane pill. I took that for a year and all my acne cleared up (the pill literally gave me a new face!) but not just 2 months ago, the doctor asked me to stop taking Diane since it shouldn't be used continuously. And now, just after 2 months of stopping the medication, all my acne is back! 😭I'm really fed up again & now looking at these videos to see what I can do.
I went off birth control last year and I’ve been breaking out like crazy. I started spiro a couple months ago, but it hasn’t been helping and I actually feel like my skin has gotten worse. I know the spiro can take up to 6 months to work, while bc pills can take about 3 months. Would it be beneficial for me to temporarily go on birth control to speed things up, and then ween off of it and continue taking the spiro as I come off the pill? I’m wondering if going back on the pill would help my skin clear up faster and then continuing the spiro as I come off bc would help prevent breakouts.
This is me! I never experienced acne not until I reached 30 and lived in another country. 😢 this causes too much anxiety and low self esteem. Send help. 🙏
I have question for you. I just started taking Spironolactone through apostrophe. Will it hinder my chances of getting pregnant? If I want to get pregnant in the future, how long should I be off the meds before I start trying without any risks? Thank you!
My neuro won’t allow me to use any vitamin A derivatives, oral contraceptives, spironolactone, due to my IIH (aka PTC) did and hx of clots. No doxi or similar antibiotics either.
I gained 7 lbs the first month I tried spironolactone and felt like I was having breast growth even, which I do not need. 😭 I heard there was a topical spironolactone treatment that is newer. Have you seen that help at all if the oral medication isn't a good option?
The deep jawline acne started appearing for me around my period about a month after beginning to use tretinoin, and I was wondering if it's tretinoin that changes the quality of the acne worse, due to how it slows the healing of wounds and thickens the skin.. But then I guess I was wrong about that! Hmm...
I’m 26 and I struggle with cystic acne that’s deep and painful, and just seems to come out of no where all the time 😔 my acne increases along the jaw line and cheek bones and I’ve missed 3 periods in a row, while not being pregnant and never was. It even appears that I can’t get pregnant with my husband, where can I go for help?😔
Try to learn to relieve your stress or not stress so much. Plenty of sleep. More water no sugar, no dairy, try herbal teas (dandelion root, Hibiscus tea... or Vitamin A + zinc daily … Try that together for 3months to see if u can see a difference. Also change your pillow cases weekly and use Dial Anti bacteria soap for face .. along with a moisturizer. If all else fails try Accutane. So far drinking plenty water and using Dial soap has been helping the most. My skin is super sensitive to junk foods and dirty pillow cases. I can tell bc I watch what I eat and Im pin pointing whats been triggering my break outs. Dont lose faith … im still battling my skin issues.
In my 3 years and 6 months using implant w/o menstruation. I always have pimple breakouts. Even I took it off after 3 years and a month's and my baby is turning 5 this year. I experience this month my severe pimple breakouts. Huhuhu!! Literally gives me pain even in eating just opening my mouth. Edit: and im 32 years old with only one baby. BTW my period is back 3 days every month regularly.
What about for acne if you dont want to do birth control and not severe enough for accutane and doctor didn’t recommend spiro? Also not a fan of antibiotics, do a lot of derms still prescribe antibiotics because of killing gut and resistance?
This made it more clear for me thank you 😊 hopefully you can answer this for me, recently noticed these past few days even my moisturizer caused a stingy sensation so I stopped exfoliating and retinol and repairing my skin however can add retinol back while healing ? Is benzoyl peroxide considered exfoliating? I feel like I'm trying to add all my products in everyday use which caused over exfoliated.
This isnt useful at all for female athletes :( my problem is - I CANT decrease my androgens. I need them high for my performance, so i feel trapped. Im in the minipill (only progesterone, no estrogen) and on topical meds, but cant take spironolactone or it will decrease my androgens. And my acne is ravaging me, my skin is destroyed, and I feel hopeless…
I don't have acne since I was young but now that I'm 35 my acnes are the worst to the point that I don't want to see people bcoz I'm ugly. I cry a lot bocz I don't feel good about myself anymore. My acne starts when my husband came home from overseas, so I'm taking pills to avoid pregnancy, but then when I stop taking pills my acne showed up like the worst acne, my periods are irregular also, I try many gentle facial wash but nothing works for me. I'm so desperate to get rid of my acne but I don't know what to do anymore.😭
Very helpful video. Dr , May you please advise on oral management that is safe or natural when planning for pregnancy. I’ve been on oral contraceptive for over five years to manage my hormonal acne 😇Age 29 yrs
Usually we don’t recommend any oral contraptions or spironolactone when you’re trying to conceive. However talk with your doc on topical treatments that can be helpful
I'm struggling to find a dermatologist where I live (Italy) to prescribe me spironolactone. The topicals are not enough, I have moderate acne. Someone in the same boat as me?
Is it normal to get acne when ur a teenager and does it go away when you’re done with puberty? Or is there ways to prevent that acne becoming adult acne
After using SLS cleanser (Neutrogena deep clean) it gave me pimples on my cheeks continuously, once I changed to use Cerave salicylic acid cleaser and its moisturising cream, more comedonal acne comes to surfaces. Then I try to use Eucerin proacne package, doesnot seems to decrease the acne but dry my skin ==. Now I only use Simple hydrating moisturiser. I really like this video ^..^ May I know salicylic acid treatment will be useful for hormonal acne?
Hi Doctor Liu! What happens to your skin after you stop taking it? Like if I take it for 6 years, but I get to my early to mid-30s and decide I want to have kids and need to stop taking it, what happens to my skin? What do studies say? Does hormonal acne balance out the older you get if you’ve had since you were a teen?
It’s hard to say everyone will react differently some people were flare awesome won’t But if you’re planning to have kids then you should stop; There are options for acne treatment during pregnancy and Spironolactone is safe to take during bf
I just started taking Nikki birthconrol pills in August and it is making my acne worse. I don't understand why nikki birth control pills are making me get more acne if its considered a treatment for hormonal acne.
Sadly no to all the drugs for me, topical helps but only while I'm using it and I go through horrible dry/peeling spells. Just burn my damn face off please. Hope this clears up with age some day
Hi doctor, i have been using spironolacton since 18, iam 31 now, whenever I take it i have less acnes, however it has caused terrible side effects on my bones, they haven't been able to absorb vitamin d and calcium as a result of taking these pills. Iam tired of taking them...tired of acne and thousands of topical medications, what should patients like me do???
it helps and also good for immune health! I use it and it helps me, there is evidence, source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193602/, I took this from the national library of medicine
I'm an endocrinologist who suffer from PCOS and cyctic acne .. I recently started Spironolactone upon your recommendation as I was only applying Retinoal and Azelic acid but didn't work for me .. I just want to say thank you for helping me making this decision.. you saved my skin .. my wedding is in 2 month and my skin is already becoming glowy
I am on testosterone as part of HRT, the testosterone is making me break out. Would spironolactone help? Thanks
After I had my left fallopian tube removed I have had the most acne I’ve ever had in my life . Such a life changing and humbling experience .
I hate periods and everything it brings. I don't even want kids😭
And you're body doesnt care lol
@@jackieeeap2 it's against me💀
Best thing about pregnancy amazing skin lol then period comes back and back to breakouts
@@katierosealexander8132 My skin is amazing without pregnancy. Pregnancy has A LOT of downsides and fucks the body up big times. My friend's mom got depressed after her 2nd pregnancy, and my mom got disc prolapse after the pregnancy of twins (we were too heavy for her) and gained 30kg of weight💀
@@NoctLightCloud yeah I wasn’t saying pregnancy doesn’t have hard things I’ve had 5 with many troubles including almost dying in birth so don’t need that explained. Just that skin problems for me stopped, which is solely about hormones. Chill out
Why does my acne go away and then comes back in the same spot
Same here 😢
You might have a clogged pore there that is not being fully extracted. The next time it comes to a head, try to extract.
@@hoosieraussis1this happens to me too comes back in the same spot, isn’t that bad tho to extract it 😩
My acne doesn’t care about when my period is. I went on accutane and for the 2 years after that I actually loved my skin. Now I’m right back to hating it. I’m convinced my hormones are out of whack month-long but all my doctors refuse to run more specific tests for it. But recently the derm put me back on spironolactone as if we didn’t try that already (the anxiety was too much). I’m finally in a good place with my period after a decade of pain and irregularity and now I’m probably going to lose that to spironolactone. I’m just at a loss.
For some women acne flares doesn’t always coordinate with timing of period but regardless hormonal treatment can still be effective
I totally get your frustration, the best my skin has ever looked was on accutane and no other hormonal medication has helped as much
have you been checked for pcos? i was wondering why she didn't mention that in her video, as it is the underlying reason why many women struggle with all kinds of issues including hormonal acne
I recently stopped oral birth control in an attempt to start a family. I was on it for 7 years unfortunately. Now I am suffering with horrible hormonal/cystic acne on my temples, jawline, neck & back. I don’t want to go back on birth control but I also don’t want to be on spironolactone due to the diuretic effects. I had a horrible time the last 2 years on birth control, which is another reason why I stopped. I am just struggling so bad because i don’t know what else to do besides topical treatments. I can’t get into any dermatologists in my city either so I just feel stuck. It’s embarrassing for me to have acne as an adult and makes me just want to hide.
It really take a huge hit on self esteem.. 😑 It makes us not want to be seen at all. Researching all the tips I can get. Swimming in the summer used to always give me a nice, clear complexion.. but now at 32, these hormonal breakouts are so stubborn and feel defeating.
Also Dr G brightening peeling gel on Amazon is the best for exfoliating flaky, dead skin when it starts healing. (Especially for the price)
Love some Korean skincare
In my 40's and started struggling with it now in my 40's. It's both just before period and ovulation, so it's twice in a cycle. Thank you for this vid... Dealt with it so thorough
Me too 😢
My acne started 1 month after turning 40 😢
I had no acne up until 25, my self esteem is depleting everyday… I did not expect this and I am really frustrated because now I have to deal with it and eczema also
try spearmint supplements or tea
Dr. Alexis Stevens video: th-cam.com/video/ukYUx8NOIec/w-d-xo.html
So sorry you’re going through this! I am in the same boat, but please do not let acne stop you from living your life! You’ll never be this young again! I have let it affect my life and relationship for the last 4 years and I’m realizing the stress could’ve added to the acne problem. Still haven’t cleared my acne but just starting to realize that there’s nothing out there that works for good other than diet and internal health. I suggest working with a functional practitioner to run some tests and find out what’s going on and why your body is having the acne in the first place.
Look into vitamin B3, 50-100mg a day…
I left the Yaz pill (after 7 years on it) about a year ago and my acne has come back with revenge. I'm 25 now and very frustrated. I've tried diets (like no dairy) to all sorts of topical treatment (retinol, vit C, BPeroxide, Aha Bha, Salacylic acid, glycolic acid, tea tree oil) . Haven't tried some of the recommended in the video but I really am at the end of my rope.
Have you seen a derm?
I feel you
I would say start taking internal vitamins to help the health of your skin. Vitimin D3, Zinc, Vitimin C, Omega 3 (vegan or not), vitimin B12.
Update: I'm on 30 mg of Accutane. Works like a charm. Skin has never been better and it only took 3 months to clear my skin up to perfection.
@@Smiirkwood any side affects and does it clear dark and redness ?
Thank you, Dr. Jenny. My adult acne history is that I’ve been dealing with acne for 12 years straight. It started when I was 12 or 13 and now I’m 25 with no success, I’ve done and used every product, medication, topical creams on earth but all have been temporary fixes that once I’m off of it, breakouts would return. I’ve even worked as a skincare consultant at a beauty company, researching and translating research papers on various skin diseases. Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, niacinamide, mugwort, vitamin c, retinols, bha, aha, tretinoin 0.1%, weeks and months of oral antibiotics, birth control pills, diet changes all had positive effects for some time but couldn’t completely heal my severe cystic acne. Now I’m back with my cyst ridden red inflamed scar face 😢 So I’ve decided to take birth controls again. How long should/can I stay with it?
me too, im suffering a lot from hormonal acne, no matter how good my skin care is. Btw does birth control works? and is there any side effect of it? for now what can i do is just to do acne diet and eat greens, it helps a bit, not 100%
Hormonal acne could be diminished only by oral contraceptives. It CANT be treated they lie! You have to take in pills constantly.
@@reginamarthalia7176 Yeah healthy diet helps but is not a cure for me as well. Yes, birth control was the only thing that worked for me. I achieved clear skin when I was on birth control for 5 months. But it gradually came back. Another reason why I’m on it again is because I always had extremely painful periods to the point that I’d pass out from the pain, scream and go hysterical. I saw a gynecologist the other day and they suggested I get on birth control again and see if I have cystic ovaries. Both my dermatologist and gynecologist said it would get better when I gave birth in the future and that it has smth to do with hormones.
@@reginamarthalia7176 as for side effects, I had terrible mood swings the first time I got on it but it got better. No side effects at all since that time. I consulted with my dermatologist and made sure to get the specific type of birth controls that are prescribed for acne.
Thank you Dr. yes this was so informative! My dermatologist currently has me on spironolactone, azelaic acid and tretinoin and I agree that the combination has been a game changer for me! 🙏🙌
@Hannah Glad to hear it’s working for you! Yes definitely worth it✨
Poppy king
what is your routine with those products?
Can I buy it even without prescription fron the doctor?
What if you don’t want to take all that medication?
Hi Doc! I have a question- I’m having my periods regularly with no delays but my hormonal acne around my jaw n chin isn’t decreasing . I’ve used the clindamycin gel to kill the bacteria but I keep getting acne at the same spot. It’s not very severe but I’ve never had to deal with acne and scars for more than a month
I have occasional acne and Acne Treatment Dermalmd Serum dries and heals my zits overnight like magic. I prefer the Dermalmd to the Kate Somerville version that is more expensive and not more effective. Love it and highly recommend it!
I’ve had acne since grade 5, at the age of 10! I still have acne to this day, I’m 41. I suffer from seborrhoea, acne, and skin flushing. I don’t know when this will end. I probably will go to my grave with oily acne skin
You aren't doomed to be stuck like this 🫂 although I'm sure my words alone won't convince you.
There's more information than ever about skin and skincare now 🤝
Especially insightful videos on youtube like these! 🤗
I'm also in my 40s with very active acne. Oral spearmint pills have essentially eradicated my hormonal acne. For the rest of my face, Korean products have helped me a ton for inflammation and may be worth trying. I try to stick with toners/essences whenever possible, because I layer lots of products. Effective highlight ingredients for me have been mugwort/artemisia, tea tree, snail mucin, propolis/honey, centella asiatica/cica/tiger grass. I also use AHA and BHA to minimize comedonal acne.
I tried spironolactone twice and both times I experienced high levels of anxiety, panic attacks, horrible pms, depression. It was helping the acne but I felt like I was not myself at all. I went off for two weeks but acne cake right back. Went back on spiro and immediately felt the anxiety/ panic come back. So sad because it was actually working. I’m now trying 3 months of tetracycline. Doesn’t feel
IdeAl. And I wonder- after the three months will the acne eventually come back? I’m 41 years old and so sick of acne!
My derma prescribed this, the lowest dose to avoid the bad side effects but it didnt even work on my cystic acne.. works soooooooo sooooooo slow.maybe bec it was a lose dose but my derma kept saying i cant go any higher due to health risks....so i stopped and opted to do the topical stuff instead
In my case, I avoided gluten for few months and I could see the difference in a month, because I stop having new breakouts. Now I still eat gluten but less than before, and with skincare I’m trying to control and clear the hyperpigmentation.
How did that work out for you? Was cutting gluten hard? Did the acne ever come back?
Yes it was hard 😂 but that made me realize how much gluten I was consuming! I allowed myself to eat when I really want to or when eating outside. I just avoid cooking o buying to eat in my house.
Acne comes back but is less than before, and I think depending of the type of flour or some ingredients my skin react more.
Other things that may help: probiotics and benzoyl peroxide cleanser from cerave. Good luck 🤗
I was given tetracycline and doxycycline at different times to combat my acne and ended up with a horrific migraine for almost 3 weeks, couldn't keep food down and struggled to do anything. Not to mind my skin was so sensitive and couldn't get my eyebrows done without taking off about 3 layers of skin.
Trying Yasmin now to see if it will do anything even though I really didn't want to go on birth control. Sucks being a woman
how is it going with your birth control?
Doxycycline increases intracranial pressure. That’s probably what causes the headaches. My derm prescribed it for my hormonal acne but I already have increased ICP thank God I looked up the side effects !
@@elaizamariee amazing! My skin is back to normal. Very rarely get spots. 6 months on Yasmin and so happy
My concern is, i never had a breakout in my entire life. I used to have oily skin back in elementary til highschool but never really had breakouts. maybe just usually have 1 or 2 during my periods. During college, my skin has been so dry still only experience 1 or 2 at most. Not until these days, just a month ago. Like wtf, so much excessive oil and been breaking out so bad. I don’t know what’s going on.
Me too. I just don’t understand what really happened or changed
The same thing happened to me! Never experienced bad breakouts not even in my teenage years & now out of nowhere it happened.
same! never had issues now that i'm 30 the hormon shift is crazy and i have cystic acne and more body hair lol?? wtf
i have deep cystic acne around my mouth especially chin and jawline that wont be gone, everytime one heals another appear it is so painful and feels like a bruise. i am only 17 and i’ve been getting this deep cystic acne since i was 14-15 is hormonal acne? hope you can answer thank you😊
I was on spironolactone and birth control and it helped, but the spironolactone was raising my kidney levels and then I got off the birth control and my periods are worse than ever. I don’t want to get on birth control every again because of that very reason but now my acne is out of control. I don’t know what to do.
Dalycin T topical antibiotic helped me but stopping chocolate and managing excess stress helped too . Although I still get some breakouts
My acne did not ever respond to birth control at all, and I had a lot of other symptoms. I'm responding well to tretinoin, although I still have a while to wait for it all to clear consistently.
@Marian Cook just....no. No to sky wizards and no to spammy comments
I can’t take birth control pills anymore. I have a Mirena iud now. I have been put on 3 months of antibiotics before that helped sort of.
What about the topical drug winlevi Or topical spiro? These are newer release topical medications for hormonal acne and surprised that they weren’t mentioned. At my last dermatologist appointment she talked about these new drugs and wrote me a script for the winlevi. I suffer from severe migraines and cannot use oral Birth control or spironolactone. I think it’s wonderful that they are now topical options that work in a similar fashion by blocking the androgen hormone affects in the skin without the systematic effects of the oral medication. I don’t know how they compared to the other drugs or how effective they are but I think it’s wonderful that there are no more options💕
Yes they could be an alternative for those you are not able or interested in oral medications but just keep in mind deeper acne often don’t respond as well to topical treatments
I started getting acne when i had an IUD like 5 months ago but the IUD fell out and I didn't even know when it happened however it is out and I'm getting acne like crazy
I had an IUD YEARS ago. Had it removed because it gave me severe cystic acne. My face has never been the same ever since then. It totally messed me up.
Holy shit SAME! To both of these comments. I only had the IUD for a week and had it removed because of the crazy amount of hormones it released. Ever since then my face has been completely f*cked!!!! I’ve never had acne this bad in my whole life even as a teenager 😢 it’s super depressing and I hope we all figure it out 🙏
Excellent video!
Thank you very much for your hard work.
I've taken Spiro (50 mg daily) on and off for 15 years. I'm 37 now and thinking about getting off of it again. I've been having terrible brain fog for a couple years, (basically since I got back on Spiro after a 2 year hiatus.) My GP and I have investigated the brain fog but haven't found a solution yet. We thought it was a symptom of ADHD, but I'm starting to wonder if it's the Spiro. The bad thing about getting off of Spiro for me is that, if getting off of it doesn't help my brain fog, and my acne comes raging back, and I decide I want to go back on the Spiro, it takes a couple months for it to start working again. Still trying to decide what I'd like to do. Just wanted to share my thoughts and experience. Thanks for the video!
I’m in my 40’s and suffering with acne. Had it since I was 13yrs old. And it’s still bad😢😢
I’m 27 on birth control and spirolonocatone AND STILL get cystic acne. Traditional doctors have failed. I am trying to find a naturopathic doctor
left sugar and milk already?
@@estefaniaalvarezavalos7994 milk is fine, I found only thing that works is eating more like a keto diet
Spironolactone is excellent for hormonal acne!
Whats the difference between Accutane and Spironolactone?
Blessed day.
just want to ask the prescribe percentage of benzoyl peroxide to purchase for those experiencing hormonal acne that is under birth control pills?
thanks
I wanted to comment because I haven't been able to find any help anywhere. I am 20, so not an older woman haha, but I have had some serious problems with my periods and one of the latest issues I've had is hormonal acne. I don't drink, smoke, or anything like that, I eat a varied diet and I go out for walks in the sunshine when I can, I exercise.. in other words I try really hard to look after myself. I have skin care routines for my face daily and I take vitamin supplements to make sure I get what I need, but nothing I do will get rid of this acne. I wake up with more everyday, my entire face feels bumpy and itchy. I never had acne ever when I was a child, but when I started my periods they were light and almost non existent until I started missing them entirely and then I tried birth control and I had really bad reactions to any contraceptives and started non stop heavy bleeding, even through the combined pill which I took to prevent bleeding and sort out my body. Thats when the acne started, when I took the morning after pill and then the mini pill and now different versions of the combined pill. I can't get stop the acne no matter what I try or what I get prescribed, I'm looking for some answers, anything.
I have lost all sense of self esteem, I don't like my face or my body. The GPs (UK) haven't been helpful at all.
Your video has helped me soooo much! Thank you!
I'm already on Estelle contraceptive, which my Pharmacist says has the same action as Spironolactone in acne treatment - so me taking Spironolactone won't change anything as far as oral medication goes.
I use a retinol, and I use Benzol Peroxide twice a day...
I get massive cystic acne in my chin area :( never had it growing up, neither did my parents. I'm 31 now and I'm at my witts end. Have booked Drs this week to ask for a Derm referral. Maybe some Tretinoin will help but honestly I don't know where to go from here. I'm also a nurse so spend 32 hours a week in face masks 😬
Maybe some deep chemical peels could help??
Thanks for the information x
I am on Estelle too and have been for over a decade so good to know about the antibiotics because I was considering this as a next step.
I was on epiduo as a teen, most acne was erased but now at 31 I’m getting lots of little bumps on my cheeks and jaw line. Not sure if going back on epiduo will work :/
My hormone tests came back normal but I still have acne. What should I do? I have cysts in my ovaries, acne and my hair has been falling out but I can't get help (for what I believe is PCOS) because my hormones are “perfectly fine”.
Hi Dr Jenny new subbie here. First I want to thank you for providing informative vid like this. I suffer acne since my teenage years and now 45 still having what I believe is hormonal acne with deep cystic one that takes a long time to heal. My question is I am taking Spironolactone for 3 years and my face quieted down but still having one or 2 every pre-period. It was prescribed because I am hypertensive too. Is Spironolactone safe for long term use in my case for lifetime since it lowers my BP too? Also will my hormonal acne stops when I menopause or it will get worse? Thanks and always I am waiting for your very thoughtful and caring videos.
Thanks for info. Please precisely tel about good sunscreen if u hav acne
I never had acne. Ever. I am 32 and got my tubes removed 2 years ago and started dealing with this last year. Could that have caused hormonal imbalance? My periods also started lasting only a day or 2 when they used to be 5.
Got my acne at the age of 33. 😭😭 it's all over my chin. Been 7 months now. 🥺
Just turned 30 and my chin has been breaking out with a vengeance, too. 😔
I’m turning 28 and it’s all over my jaw and chin😢 never experienced acne like this.
@@priscillabernal8835 it's hormonal same with mine. Mine was gone when i was not depressed anymore. I took multivitamins, avoided stress as much as possible, and tried to do a healthier lifestyle. I hope yours will be gone too. 🙏❤️
I had to get on spiro when I suddenly went from cleared skin to really bad cystic acne. It went away and I had peace until now I’m almost 30 and I’m experiencing a bunch of texture and red dots EVERYWHERE. I’m so frustrated and upset. I’m pretty sure it’s stress for me, but I don’t know how to calm the hell down
How do you tell if it's time to see a Derm for topical spironolactone? I get breakouts during my cycle and nothing has worked (niacinamide, retinol, BHA, benzoyl peroxide) all used at different points throughout the week not at one time. But they don't see to keep the breakouts away..... :(
I also recently got naturism azelaic acid, and a hipoclourus acid spray. How do you tell if it's time to look to spiro? Thank you!!!
Thanks for your informative video! I have a question. I suddenly started to have moderate hormonal pimples on cheeks 2 years ago, I've been on Diane pill and topical tretinoin for 3 months now and my skin is great. I think my physician plans to continue it for 6 months. But after coming off the pill, will acne come back? What can i do then? Bc i'm done with acne and want a permanent treatment😣
Hey I'm in your situation. I had a bad case of acne and then my doctor prescribed Diane pill. I took that for a year and all my acne cleared up (the pill literally gave me a new face!) but not just 2 months ago, the doctor asked me to stop taking Diane since it shouldn't be used continuously. And now, just after 2 months of stopping the medication, all my acne is back! 😭I'm really fed up again & now looking at these videos to see what I can do.
I’ve been relying on the pill for the past 5yrs and after stopping it all came back again 😭
Excellent video! ❤
im a guy and i have this, hormonal acne sucks much. 😭🙏
I went off birth control last year and I’ve been breaking out like crazy. I started spiro a couple months ago, but it hasn’t been helping and I actually feel like my skin has gotten worse.
I know the spiro can take up to 6 months to work, while bc pills can take about 3 months. Would it be beneficial for me to temporarily go on birth control to speed things up, and then ween off of it and continue taking the spiro as I come off the pill? I’m wondering if going back on the pill would help my skin clear up faster and then continuing the spiro as I come off bc would help prevent breakouts.
This is me! I never experienced acne not until I reached 30 and lived in another country. 😢 this causes too much anxiety and low self esteem. Send help. 🙏
Could we combine spironolacton and COCP together for high antiandrogen effect?
I have question for you. I just started taking Spironolactone through apostrophe. Will it hinder my chances of getting pregnant? If I want to get pregnant in the future, how long should I be off the meds before I start trying without any risks? Thank you!
Doesn’t prevent pregnancy but these are questions best for your provider
Can I buy it without prescription?
My acne always clears up during ovulation, then is awful the rest of the month. So 25 days of bad acne, 5 days of clearer skin.
My neuro won’t allow me to use any vitamin A derivatives, oral contraceptives, spironolactone, due to my IIH (aka PTC) did and hx of clots. No doxi or similar antibiotics either.
I gained 7 lbs the first month I tried spironolactone and felt like I was having breast growth even, which I do not need. 😭 I heard there was a topical spironolactone treatment that is newer. Have you seen that help at all if the oral medication isn't a good option?
Did you continue to gain weight?
The deep jawline acne started appearing for me around my period about a month after beginning to use tretinoin, and I was wondering if it's tretinoin that changes the quality of the acne worse, due to how it slows the healing of wounds and thickens the skin.. But then I guess I was wrong about that! Hmm...
I’m 47 and On spironolactone, azaleas acid and tretinoin for close to 3 months with no results. Acne is worse than ever.
I have PCOS and came off my Depo Provera to start a family and I don't even have my cycle back yet but suddenly I have ALL OF THE ACNE
How do products help hormonal (internal) acne?? How does a lotion help?
My mother is in her mid 50s and still gets some acne.
I’m 26 and I struggle with cystic acne that’s deep and painful, and just seems to come out of no where all the time 😔 my acne increases along the jaw line and cheek bones and I’ve missed 3 periods in a row, while not being pregnant and never was. It even appears that I can’t get pregnant with my husband, where can I go for help?😔
Try to learn to relieve your stress or not stress so much. Plenty of sleep. More water no sugar, no dairy, try herbal teas (dandelion root, Hibiscus tea... or Vitamin A + zinc daily … Try that together for 3months to see if u can see a difference. Also change your pillow cases weekly and use Dial Anti bacteria soap for face .. along with a moisturizer. If all else fails try Accutane. So far drinking plenty water and using Dial soap has been helping the most. My skin is super sensitive to junk foods and dirty pillow cases. I can tell bc I watch what I eat and Im pin pointing whats been triggering my break outs. Dont lose faith … im still battling my skin issues.
Changing my birth control definitely triggered mine and it definitely gets much worse around my period.
It’s only during my period that my skin clears up and glows. But I’m irregular and it happens every 2 or so months 😩
In my 3 years and 6 months using implant w/o menstruation. I always have pimple breakouts. Even I took it off after 3 years and a month's and my baby is turning 5 this year. I experience this month my severe pimple breakouts. Huhuhu!! Literally gives me pain even in eating just opening my mouth.
Edit: and im 32 years old with only one baby. BTW my period is back 3 days every month regularly.
What about for acne if you dont want to do birth control and not severe enough for accutane and doctor didn’t recommend spiro? Also not a fan of antibiotics, do a lot of derms still prescribe antibiotics because of killing gut and resistance?
Birth control does nothing for my hormonal acne. Spearmint pills have been a GAME CHANGER!
This made it more clear for me thank you 😊 hopefully you can answer this for me, recently noticed these past few days even my moisturizer caused a stingy sensation so I stopped exfoliating and retinol and repairing my skin however can add retinol back while healing ? Is benzoyl peroxide considered exfoliating? I feel like I'm trying to add all my products in everyday use which caused over exfoliated.
Spironolactone saved my skin and I’ve tried everything 😢😢😊
I used herbal enemas and coffee enemas for hormonal acne due to a toxic body.
Does spironolactone work even if you have the nexplanon implant?
This isnt useful at all for female athletes :( my problem is - I CANT decrease my androgens. I need them high for my performance, so i feel trapped. Im in the minipill (only progesterone, no estrogen) and on topical meds, but cant take spironolactone or it will decrease my androgens. And my acne is ravaging me, my skin is destroyed, and I feel hopeless…
The mini pill can certainly cause acne- that is likely not a good BC option for you. Progesterone is an acne caused, for sure!
Hi, Doc! What is the safest hormonal acne supplement product do you recommend that is not contraceptives?
I don’t recommend supplements as they don’t work. Prescription medications are what’s effective
I don't have acne since I was young but now that I'm 35 my acnes are the worst to the point that I don't want to see people bcoz I'm ugly. I cry a lot bocz I don't feel good about myself anymore. My acne starts when my husband came home from overseas, so I'm taking pills to avoid pregnancy, but then when I stop taking pills my acne showed up like the worst acne, my periods are irregular also, I try many gentle facial wash but nothing works for me. I'm so desperate to get rid of my acne but I don't know what to do anymore.😭
What about tretinoin or accutane? Are those for normal acne?
Very helpful video. Dr , May you please advise on oral management that is safe or natural when planning for pregnancy. I’ve been on oral contraceptive for over five years to manage my hormonal acne 😇Age 29 yrs
Usually we don’t recommend any oral contraptions or spironolactone when you’re trying to conceive. However talk with your doc on topical treatments that can be helpful
Hello van you talk about rosacea please
I'm struggling to find a dermatologist where I live (Italy) to prescribe me spironolactone. The topicals are not enough, I have moderate acne. Someone in the same boat as me?
What happens when you stop taking spironolactone?
Is it normal to have a kind of purge phase on bc for acne
I recently saw topical spironolactone cream, is it effective?
Is it normal to get acne when ur a teenager and does it go away when you’re done with puberty? Or is there ways to prevent that acne becoming adult acne
If I go on the contraceptive pill do I have to keep taking it forever ?
Hey doc! Hope you are doing good 🥰
I'm a guy in my 30s and have hormonal acne is that normal?
After using SLS cleanser (Neutrogena deep clean) it gave me pimples on my cheeks continuously, once I changed to use Cerave salicylic acid cleaser and its moisturising cream, more comedonal acne comes to surfaces. Then I try to use Eucerin proacne package, doesnot seems to decrease the acne but dry my skin ==. Now I only use Simple hydrating moisturiser.
I really like this video ^..^ May I know salicylic acid treatment will be useful for hormonal acne?
I wonder if my neutrogena oil free acne wash is making my acne bad
Hi Doctor Liu!
What happens to your skin after you stop taking it? Like if I take it for 6 years, but I get to my early to mid-30s and decide I want to have kids and need to stop taking it, what happens to my skin? What do studies say? Does hormonal acne balance out the older you get if you’ve had since you were a teen?
It’s hard to say everyone will react differently some people were flare awesome won’t But if you’re planning to have kids then you should stop; There are options for acne treatment during pregnancy and Spironolactone is safe to take during bf
I used to have a clear skin now im over 40 im breaking out on my chin and jawline this is a nightmare 😫😫
I m a lactating mother is it safe to use tretinoin ointment
i just love it my acne just telling me when im ovulating and abt to hv my period
Thanks for this!
Another invaluable channel, will definitely explore more videos from you, sir. thank you!
Can you use spironolactone whilst on the contraceptive pill?
my GP told me to take both together since you don't want to fall pregnant whilst on spironolactone.
yes, this combination works the best
I really love your videos, thank you for your time! You are my reference now, thank you so much for your help! #quebecfan
I just started taking Nikki birthconrol pills in August and it is making my acne worse. I don't understand why nikki birth control pills are making me get more acne if its considered a treatment for hormonal acne.
Oral isotretinion work for hormonal acne. Reply please mam 🙏
Sadly no to all the drugs for me, topical helps but only while I'm using it and I go through horrible dry/peeling spells. Just burn my damn face off please. Hope this clears up with age some day
Hi doctor, what about adult male acne?
Hi doctor, i have been using spironolacton since 18, iam 31 now, whenever I take it i have less acnes, however it has caused terrible side effects on my bones, they haven't been able to absorb vitamin d and calcium as a result of taking these pills. Iam tired of taking them...tired of acne and thousands of topical medications, what should patients like me do???
Ngl I use to have FWB who boarder-line looks just like her.
Is Zinc for acne ok
Lack of evidence
Hello doc, what of me that is still what children
it helps and also good for immune health! I use it and it helps me, there is evidence, source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193602/, I took this from the national library of medicine
Doctor isibor helped balance my cousin sister hormonal acne and stop my facial hair growth due to pcos 🤗🤗🤗
Is Curology a good company for acne
Personally it made my skin worse but it all depends on your skin type .
Thanks
Iam 52i have thick hair on my upper lip and chin can i take spirinalactone to avoid my hair growth
Please suggest me
Can u make English subtitles pls