Birth control and acne :(

Has anyone noticed a link between their birth control method and acne? I've been on NuvaRing for 6 months and I'm beginning to suspect it's the reason why I'm having such bad breakouts. I use Proactiv religously, change my pillowcases twice a week, try desperately not to pick and touch my face, stay away from makeup unless I'm going out, blah blah blah but DAMN. It's really starting to bother me. I have begged my doctors to put me on Accutane, but due to the birth defects it causes, I have to sign a paper verifying I use two forms of birth control. I am NOT going on another freaking form of birth control, dammit.

And if you do or have had acne, what works for you? I'm getting sick of Proactiv. It's so expensive and it seems not to be working as well anymore. But believe me, I have tried everything short of napalm. Neutrogena, Clearasil, Stridex, Phisoderm, Clinique, Murad, Philosophy, you name it. Glycolic acid peels really help but they are so expensive.

Aaaand THIS is why birth control works. It makes you break out so you feel miserable and kills your libido so you won't even WANT sex. Nothing to do with hormones less

Has anyone noticed a link between their birth control method and acne? I've been on NuvaRing for 6 months and I'm beginning to suspect it's the reason why I'm having such bad breakouts. I use Proactiv religously, change my pillowcases twice a week, try desperately not to pick and touch my face, stay away from makeup unless I'm going out, blah blah blah but DAMN. It's really starting to bother me. I have begged my doctors to put me on Accutane, but due to the birth defects it causes, I have to sign a paper verifying I use two forms of birth control. I am NOT going on another freaking form of birth control, dammit.

And if you do or have had acne, what works for you? I'm getting sick of Proactiv. It's so expensive and it seems not to be working as well anymore. But believe me, I have tried everything short of napalm. Neutrogena, Clearasil, Stridex, Phisoderm, Clinique, Murad, Philosophy, you name it. Glycolic acid peels really help but they are so expensive.

Aaaand THIS is why birth control works. It makes you break out so you feel miserable and kills your libido so you won't even WANT sex. Nothing to do with hormones less

You could try Mederma for the scarring it worked wonders for me. I figure if your skin clears up with BF gone for a year then you have amunition to take to the doctor when looking for another form that won't cause such horrible side effects! Sucks that he's gonna be gone so long though... less

Blinker, there are other, less drastic prescription medications to try before Accutane. The side effects of Accutane are really awful and many docs don't prescribe them unless you have Cystic Acne, and absolutely, positively cannot get pregnant, because it can do horrible, unspeakable things to the fetus.

Here are the other drugs, there are more, but these are the most common.

Retin-A,

Differin (topical ointment, my kids and their freinds used to trade it at school, it was so valuable)

Cleocin A liquid which is swabbed on the skin. works REALLY well
Clindamycin (generic of Cleocin)

Novacet

Azelex

Retin-A

When I was in college we used to call Cleocin or Clindamycin "the Water of Lourdes" because it worked miracles.

Some doctors will also prescribe oral antibiotics, but the ones they use can often really upset your intestinal flora (the good bacteria in your body) and they cause digestive problems, but it could be a last resort before Accutane.

I know all the BC pills I ever used made my face break out, as did my period and pregnancy. Some of us just don't clear up under the influence of some hormones, and only suffer more. Talk to your skin doc about these other medications. You probably should be seeing a Specialist, not your Internist, if your acne is severe or impossible to get rid of.

Good luck. less

I've been using stuff from my kitchen and it seems to be working really well! I have some local raw honey that I use as a scrub and leave it on for a bit. Since honey is antibacterial that majorly helps! It also tastes delicious if it drops into your mouth. Then I mash up strawberries and sometimes add sour cream too and smear that on my face. Strawberries will help lighten the spots among other things and I guess something about the lactic acid in the sour cream I guess is good for your skin.
And Biore strips, I absolutely need those. less

Most of the OTC stuff has benzoyl peroxide in it but the prescription stuff is different. Retin A takes a while to work, but Clindamycin works in just a few days. It's a topical antibiotic, and it works really well. But, you do need a prescription for it. less

I've been using stuff from my kitchen and it seems to be working really well! I have some local raw honey that I use as a scrub and leave it on for a bit. Since honey is antibacterial that majorly helps! It also tastes delicious if it drops into your mouth. Then I mash up strawberries and sometimes add sour cream too and smear that on my face. Strawberries will help lighten the spots among other things and I guess something about the lactic acid in the sour cream I guess is good for your skin.
And Biore strips, I absolutely need those. less

I use clindamycin phosphate gel 1% on my face twice a day (This is prescription only) Once at night and once in the am. I also use neutrogena facial cleansing formula fragrance free twice a day. Once in the shower in the am and once before bed before I put my gel on. Then in the am I put on neutrogena spf 15 facial moisturizer after the gel and neutrogena sensitive skin moisturizer on before bed after I put on my gel. I've been doing so for years and years and rarely have pimples even though I am on bc. I've always found using harsher products on my face makes it worse for me. Also touching my face is a no no and I try to keep my hands away from it at all times. Making sure my hair is clean and off my face helps too. Wearing less-or no make-up always helps since it clogs pores. I'm always being complimented on my complexion. Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you. Have you tried seeing a dermatologist? less