Acne and Birth Control

Many of us have a false notion that a prescription for birth control can clear your skin. The reality of birth control is that options such as the pill, IUDs, shots and implants have the potential to cause acne rather than prevent it. This is especially true in women with acne prone skin. If you suffer from acne, it is important to take a few things into consideration when selecting your birth control method in order to prevent breakouts.

As a general rule of thumb, pills with the potential for higher androgenic symptoms should be avoided in women who are prone to acne. Birth control pills are typically divided up as estrogen or progestin dominant and have varying degrees of androgenic (testosterone like) effects. Ultimately, you will want to talk with your doctor about using a birth control pill that is high in estrogen potency and low in androgenic effects in order to avoid breakouts.

 Here is a rough list of prescriptions that are high in androgenic effects and low in estrogen. These should be avoided, as they can cause breakouts.

 Alesse

Triphasil//Trivora

Azurette

Amethyst

Cryselle

Caziant

Jolessa

Lo-Ovral/Ovral

Cyclessa

Lessina

Low-Ogestrel/Ogestrel

Desogen

Levonest/Levora

Lo-Feminol

Emoquette

Lutera

Ortho tricyclen Lo

Kariva

Nordette

Estrostep Fe

Linessa

Portia

Loestrin

Marvelon

Seasonale/Seasonique

Microgestin

NuvaRing

Sronyx

Apri

Depo-Provera

Mirena IUD

Mircette

Reclipsen

Implanon

Nexplanon

Norplant

Paragard/CopperIUD

 *Although the Paragard/Copper IUD does not contain any hormones, we have observed that it has aggravated acne with our clients.

 The following is a list of birth control pills that are higher in estrogen and low in androgenic effects. These are safer options for women who suffer with acne.

 Brevicon

Demulan/Zovia/Kelnor

Modicon

Ortho tricyclen

Necon

Sprintec/Tri-Sprintec

Ortho-Novum

Previfem/Tri-Previfem

Ovcon

MonoNessa/Tri-Nessa

Femcon

Zovia

 As an acne specialist, it is important to me that you understand that birth control is not needed to clear your acne. If you are using birth control pills for the sole purpose of clearing your skin, please stop. These pills are not the simple answer to your acne problem and it might be true that you are only aiding your breakouts by using a birth control with the wrong ingredients.

The only sure answer to clearing your skin is to create a habitual program of product use, extractions, and chemical peels until your pores are cleared. Working with an acne specialist can help ensure the most effective skin clearing process for you regardless of your birth control use.  We at Skintherapy Acne Clinic can help get you clear without the use of prescription medications or birth control.