Birth Control Pills and Acne
Birth control pills have become an unlikely, but popular alternative acne treatment. In fact, it’s not unusual for women to consider going on the pill simply for its ability to promote clear skin. This isn’t simply an un-researched side effect either. The FDA has actually approved certain brands of birth control pills specifically for this use, such as Yasmin, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estro-Step (although other generic brands are medically possible of the same results). Some brands of the pill are even marketed with acne control as a selling factor.
So how do birth control pills help keep your acne under control, and are they a safe and practical treatment to use?
Anyone familiar with vitamin B5 acne treatment should understand the relationship between hormonal shifts and skin oil - namely that when your body produces more hormones, it can do so at the expense of metabolizing your skin oil, leading to oil build-ups within your pores and acne. Birth control pills work directly to counteract this, as they function by suppressing production of the sex hormone androgen by the ovaries and adrenal glands. By inhibiting the production of androgens, contraceptives free up more coenzyme-A for purposes such as metabolizing skin oil. As such, the pill actually produces similar results to vitamin B5, preventing acne from the inside-out and improving your overall skin tone.
The pill obviously has a few side effects that should be considered by anyone thinking of using it as an acne treatment. You can experience mood swings, changes in weight, and other effects. You should definitely consult your physician about whether going on the pill is right for you. That said, there are now low-dose contraceptives available for the specific purpose of acne control, so you may be able to minimize your side effects using these (whether this will minimize your results as well is unknown). It can also get a bit expensive depending on your brand, but with the crazy amounts of money some people spend at the dermatologist, this may not be a factor for you if the treatment works.
