How To Treat Acne Without The Pill
While the Pill might work to clear acne for some people, it’s not a one-size-fits-all treatment. If you’re looking for a reliable way to combat acne, Software’s personalised acne treatment is worth exploring.
Software is a prescription skincare company that creates formulas based on your skin needs and goals. Simply upload selfies and share your skin concerns and a local Software doctor will create a prescription for you based on this information. A Software pharmacist will then create your custom bottle and ship it straight to your home.
While the ingredients used within each formula vary depending on your individual needs, you can except to see medical-grade ingredients like prescription retinoids, which work to clear acne, reduce redness and increase skin firmness, as well as niacinamide, to strengthen the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin.
Consider A Candida Cleanse Or Take A Probiotic At The Least
Something else that the pill does is harm the colonies of good bacteria inside your gut.
Why is this important?
Because your gut is very connected to your skin, and is a huge source of body-wide inflammation. The more inflamed your body is, the more inflamed your acne will get.
In order to balance your gut again, you can try a 3 week candida cleanse .
At the very least, you should get on some probiotic supplements asap.
How Soon After Treatment Will Hormonal Acne Go Away
Treating acne can be different for each individual, but patience is key. Generally, it could take up to four to six weeks to see improvement in your skin after you begin treatment. Even if you dont notice that the treatment is clearing your skin, it is recommended that you continue treatment to prevent new acne from forming.
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Reduce Inflammatory Dietary Factors
Dairy is public enemy number one to hormonal acne, it contains a protein called IGF-1 that increases androgens in the female body and is generally inflammatory, not a mechanism that promotes healthy skin.
Sugar and chemically refined oils such as trans fats also exacerbate and inflame so both should be avoided in prevention and management of post pill acne.
Eat plenty of brassica vegetables, this includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale and collard greens. The Brassica family of veggies contains naturally sourced DIM, a phytochemical that promotes healthy oestrogen and androgen clearance in hormonal imbalances.
Drink spearmint tea, this cup of freshness is often used in the middle-east regions as a remedy for hirsutism another androgen excess condition. A Turkish study showed that 2 cups per day was enough to lower testosterone levels in women with PCOS, an androgen excess state.
So Will Coming Off The Pill Cause Acne
No. But coming off the pill will unmask any acne problems that the pill itself was suppressing. If you saw your skin worsen on progestogen-only contraception, coming off it or switching to a combined method or non-hormonal method may improve it.
Always remember that you are so much more than your skin. Everybody is different, and the path you choose to take has to be right for you, whether thats hormonal contraception or a non-hormonal treatment. If you are finding yourself struggling with your confidence or mood because of your acne, please reach out to your GP or visit Acne Support, who have information about emotional support resources available to you.
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How To Heal Acne After Stopping Birth Control
Many women begin birth control to reduce or eliminate acne. Because of this, it can come back full force when you stop hormonal birth control as part of post-birth control syndrome.
Acne after stopping birth control, how long does it last?
For Alice, she had never had acne before starting the pill. This was a new struggle and one that left her feeling embarrassed and confused.
Whether you had acne or not before starting birth control, you can develop post-birth control acne, which is a common symptom of post-birth control syndrome.
If you’re coming off the pill, and you’re feeling afraid of having that post-pill acne or cystic acne come back, let me assure you there are steps that you can take that dont include another round of hormonal contraceptives.
Side Effects Of The Contraceptive Pill
If youre prescribed a contraceptive pill to treat acne, you should be aware of the pills side effects.
These may include:
Serious side effects of birth control include deep vein thrombosis , heart attack, and stroke. People who smoke, are older than 35, and have risk factors for cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of these severe side effects.
The contraceptive pill, although can help clear your acne, may not be suitable to take long term. You should always consult with your doctor to find out what options is best suitable to you & your overall health.
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Solution: Cut Out Problem Foods And Replenish Good Gut Bugs
When a patient has PBCS acne, I almost always start by fixing the gut. After all, what affects your gut also affects your skin. When you have gut imbalances, that disharmony oftentimes manifests on your skin. I target food sensitivities that can mess with your gut. In addition to eliminating dairy, I’ve found that it often helps to eliminate gluten and soy as well.
I also recommend a quality probiotic supplement to support balanced gut bugs. And step up that dietary fiber! I recommend 25 grams daily to keep your bowels regular, eliminate waste including unnecessary estrogen, and support your gut. Foods like artichokes, flaxseeds, chia seeds, avocados, onions, garlic, celery, as well as leafy and cruciferous veggies are your acne-fighting besties.
Plan Ahead And Start Getting To The Root Cause Now
The best thing you can do is starting getting to the root cause of acne now, before you quit.
When youre not on the pill, hormonal acne is caused by an imbalance in the hormone levels.
Luckily hormones are not independent of the rest of the body if you give your body the tools it needs to be healthy , then it will regulate your natural hormones and youll see far fewer breakouts.
Of course once you start taking care of your body, it wont happen in an instant. It takes time to heal. But if you start now, before you get off the pill, your body will be much more capable of handling the withdrawal period after you quit.
You may still see some breakouts, but you will get back on track much quicker than if you hadnt prepared at all.
For more help, I have a whole library of books and courses to help you get on track with a healthy lifestyle to make sure you have the clear skin you deserve.
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La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ 17
Katie is such a fan of La Roche-Posays Effaclar range that she recommends it to anyone with acne, so thats what I first used when I broke out. It slowly but surely got rid of my spots after about three months. In the morning, I cleansed my skin using the cleansing cream, which doesnt strip away moisture. I then used eye cream, followed by the Effaclar Duo+ Moisturisers, which didnt feel heavy on my skin, a blessing as it was oiler than usual.
For when my spots are a little bit more persistent, I dab some La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. Breakout Corrector on the spots for a more effective treatment.
At night, I take off my make-up off with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm , followed by a quick cleanse using the La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Cleanser Dry Skin .
Take A Zinc Supplement
One of the first things you should do is go out or online and buy yourself a decent Zinc supplement. Why? Because zinc is directly involved in the metabolism of different hormones in your body. Low levels of zinc increase the conversion of testosterone to DHT in your body which is one of the androgens that contributes to the cause of hormonal acne.
You might notice that your skin is SUPER oily after coming off the pill which is the perfect breeding ground for more acne. This is because the increased DHT causes the enlargement of the sebaceous gland which increases the production of acne-causing sebum or oil!
Dosage: Take 25-50mg of Zinc per day for best results in conjunction with the clear skin meal plan and advice in my eBook here.
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But What Happens After Quitting The Pill
Well, most women, if they were suffering with acne before, then the acne is going to come back, and often much worse than it ever was. After all, the pill is just a band-aid cover up, not an actual remedy that gets to the root cause of acne.
And for some women, coming off the pill can cause acne in itself. Women who never had a problem with acne are suddenly breaking out in droves after coming off the pill.
This is because your body got so used to the powerful synthetic hormones, that once those are suddenly withdrawn, your body just doesnt know how to listen to its own natural rhythm anymore. This can cause crazy hormonal fluctuations and a stable full of spots.
For most women, the heightened breakouts will naturally subside within six months to a year and a half after stopping.
But for anyone who has ever suffered with acne, thats an unacceptably long time, and understandably has a lot of women running back to the pill and feeling trapped!
So what to do? How do you get off the pill successfully, while avoiding a serious acne breakout after?
Ways To Avoid Acne After Stopping Birth Control
Do you know YOUR primary acne trigger? Still struggling with an unsure self-diagnosis?
Do you know YOWe created a short quiz to help you Discover YOUR Complexion Triggers
Whether you want to start a family, try a different birth control method or take a break for a while, going off the pill can cause major changes to your bodyand your skin.
Its very common to see more breakouts, skin inflammation, rosacea and other skin problems after stopping oral contraceptives. And it can be very distressing, especially if youre beyond your teen years or never really had skin problems before.
So whats the reason for this skin upheaval?
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Kiehls Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate 41 Space Nk
At night, Ill dab on a few drops of this its formulated with 100% naturally derived ingredients, including hemp-derived cold-pressed cannabis Sativa seed oil and green oregano oil for skin prone to blemishes, visible blotchiness and discomfort. Ive noticed my skin is a little softer since using it, and its helped with reducing flare-ups too.
Why Does The Pill Reduce Acne For Some Women
The hormones contained in the Pill can play a role in reducing acne. Particularly for those suffering from hormonal acne, the Pill can lower the circulation of androgens which also decreases the production of sebum . Less oil can mean less acne for some women.
However, effective acne reduction is only seen with types of contraception that contain a combination of both estrogen and progestin. That means the minipill wonât have an impact on improving acne.
For those of us who experience breakouts in sync with our cycle, the Pill can be an effective acne treatment. When looking for acne-fighting Pill prescriptions, your doctor should recommend a Pill variation that contains progestin with a low androgenic possibility . In most cases, it will take a few months to see the full impacts so itâs important to be patient.
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Use Tea Tree Essential Oil For Hormonal Acne
Tea tree essential oil is one of the best essential oils for hormonal acne. It is very gentle and can be used on sensitive skin as it has no side effects.
How to use?
- Add tea tree essential oil in a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil
- Apply the blend of the oils on the affected areas of the body.
- Seal the area with a bandage
- Let it stay for about twenty minutes
- Wash off with regular water
- Repeat the same process five times a day
Benefits of using tea tree essential oil
Tea tree essential oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and works on reducing the itching and pain of the affected area. It helps in the soothing of the skin and aids in preventing infections.
Precaution
Always dilute the essential oil before using it on your skin. Take a patch test at the back of your hand to ensure that it is suitable for your skin. If the blend causes itching or burning sensation, wash off immediately.
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The Dr Schultz Difference
Dr. Schultz is an expert in treating acne affecting women of all ages. During your appointment, he will perform a careful examination of your skin to analyze your skin and look into other factors that could be contributing to your breakouts.Depending on your skin type and the type of post-birth control acne you are experiencing, Dr. Schultz will recommend a treatment or combination of treatments that target the symptoms you are experiencing, such as redness, inflammation, or whiteheads.Laser treatments, microdermabrasion, corticosteroid injections, chemical peels, and extractions can be used to control and soothe acne that developed after stopping birth control.BeautyRX is Dr. Schultzs award-winning line of skincare that is designed to help you achieve your best skin possible. If appropriate, he may recommend a specific product to help with your post-birth control acne.
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Learn More About Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting around 50 million Americans every year. While all acne is hormonal, it can be triggered by a variety of factors, from androgens to stress, medication and more.
Interested in learning more about acne? Our guide to androgen hormones that cause acne goes into more detail about how testosterone and other androgens can trigger an acne outbreak. You can also learn more about common acne triggers in our guide to what causes acne breakouts.
Want to solve your acne breakouts as quickly as possible? Our guide to getting rid of acne fast covers the most effective acne treatments available, as well as the amount of time required for you to see results.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
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Birth Control Disrupts The Microbiome
Birth control messes with your microbiome in the worst of ways. It can lead to leaky gut , which in turn, can lead to food sensitivities, increased inflammation, and even autoimmune disease. Yikes!
The pill has been shown to cause changes to the oral, vaginal and gut flora. This can leave you more susceptible to infection. Plus, imbalances in good gut bugs can lead to further hormone imbalance.
Whenever acne is the main complaint with my patients, the gut is the first place I look. If your gut isnt functioning properly then your skin can be a common area for your body to express that disharmony.
Alice was experiencing difficulty passing stool and reported that sometimes her food wasnt digested. Because of this, we began a comprehensive digestive enzyme and spore-based probiotic to begin shifting her gut to a more favorable state.
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Use Dim To Detox Estrogens And Androgens
An important part of getting off the pill successfully is helping your body detox the synthetic estrogens that the pill introduced. These estrogens can cause a spike in DHT androgens after quitting the pill.
Start DIM before quitting the pill if possible and use for at least 6 months after youve quit. Estroblock is my preferred brand.
Cleanse And Cleanse Again
Beauty editors always bang on about double cleansing, but I get it now. If like me, you tend to wash off your makeup with cleanser then the second round of cleansing is really the first proper cleanse. As our skin is exposed to harmful soil, toxins and chemicals every day , its not only gross but kind of scary. So, repeat after me – rinse, scrub, repeat. Dont get too weighed down by having the right brand either ultimately clean skin is healthy skin.
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Solution: Load Up On Good Food And Pop A Prenatal
Amp up those nutrient-dense foods! Some zinc-containing foods include nuts and seeds, and my Quick Start Guide provides sample meal plans and outlines the foods to include whether you’re on birth control or coming off. Also, consider a prenatal vitamin to replenish those pill-depleting nutrients. Prenatal vitamins are higher in nutrients to help you get back to optimal levels faster.