Acne, particularly severe acne, can be an embarrassing and even painful issue for women. Acne can lower self-esteem, lead to social isolation, produce anxiety, and cause the skin to scar permanently. For some women, using birth control as an acne treatment is a viable and successful option. Birth control has been used by dermatologists for decades as an acne treatment in women.
How Birth Control Helps Clear Up Acne
Birth control can work as an acne treatment because of how it affects your hormones. Many women understand how their cycle affects their skin because they experience acne flare-ups at certain times during their cycle, which is due to changing hormones. For others, acne is a persistent problem.
Acne occurs when too much oil is produced in the skin glands. Oil and skin cells can clog pores, which then leads to acne. Certain hormones can cause the skin to produce more oils. Birth control pills that have estrogen and progesterone can keep these hormones in check, which means there’s less oil and, as a result, less acne.
While you can discuss the possibilities of using birth control for acne treatment no matter your history or situation, it’s an ideal solution for women who are suffering from acne and who also need contraception. Some women opt to try birth control as an acne treatment only after oral and topical treatments haven’t worked.
For more information about using birth control as an acne treatment, get in contact with Pinnacle Dermatology and schedule a consultation with us! Our team of friendly professionals in Birmingham will be glad to help you clear up your complexion. Contact us today to make an appointment!