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This was in Paula Begoun's latest newsletter:
"I am in my late 20s. I stopped taking birth control pills and was horrified when less than a month later my face began to break out. It completely clears up when I am on birth control, so I've been on and off it for several years. Recently I decided to go off birth control until I really need it.
My question is, if I stay off the pill, will benzoyl peroxide and the other anti-acne treatments you suggest keep me from breaking out if my acne is hormonal? Over the last 10 years I have had great skin, but only when I'm on the Pill."
Paula's responce:
"There are different types and grades of acne, but almost all of them have a hormonal cause, and clearly your acne has responded well to birth control pills, which reduce the presence of androgen (male hormone) in the body. Excess androgen can cause increased oil production in women, which leads to breakouts for those susceptible to the condition.
Given the side effects of birth control pills (even the low-dose versions approved for managing acne), it may not be the best decision to keep taking them solely to keep your skin clear, but that is something to discuss with your physician. If you decide not to take birth control pills anymore, it is quite possible your breakouts will be manageable if you follow a routine of gentle cleansing, disinfecting, and exfoliating, but that takes experimentation, and there is no guarantee.
You might also speak to your physician about other prescription products for acne, including tretinoin (Retin-A), Differin (Adapalene), or topical products that combine benzoyl peroxide with an antibiotic. One or all of these methods might keep your skin clear without the need for birth control pills."
"I am in my late 20s. I stopped taking birth control pills and was horrified when less than a month later my face began to break out. It completely clears up when I am on birth control, so I've been on and off it for several years. Recently I decided to go off birth control until I really need it.
My question is, if I stay off the pill, will benzoyl peroxide and the other anti-acne treatments you suggest keep me from breaking out if my acne is hormonal? Over the last 10 years I have had great skin, but only when I'm on the Pill."
Paula's responce:
"There are different types and grades of acne, but almost all of them have a hormonal cause, and clearly your acne has responded well to birth control pills, which reduce the presence of androgen (male hormone) in the body. Excess androgen can cause increased oil production in women, which leads to breakouts for those susceptible to the condition.
Given the side effects of birth control pills (even the low-dose versions approved for managing acne), it may not be the best decision to keep taking them solely to keep your skin clear, but that is something to discuss with your physician. If you decide not to take birth control pills anymore, it is quite possible your breakouts will be manageable if you follow a routine of gentle cleansing, disinfecting, and exfoliating, but that takes experimentation, and there is no guarantee.
You might also speak to your physician about other prescription products for acne, including tretinoin (Retin-A), Differin (Adapalene), or topical products that combine benzoyl peroxide with an antibiotic. One or all of these methods might keep your skin clear without the need for birth control pills."
