Birth Control And Acne – The Dual Remedy

Birth Control and Acne is an interrelated term in skin care. This is because while preventing pregnancy the birth control pills change the level of hormones in women body. The level of Androgens (also known as the male hormone) is lowered by these pills. Androgens are responsible for stimulating the oil production on the skin, which in turn can result in acne. Thus, the birth control pills can reduce the number of acne breakouts and give you a dual remedy.

Researches have revealed that the birth control pills are as effective to cure the scars as that of the treatment with benzyl peroxide and topical or systemic antibiotics.

How to Select the Pill

As each pill contains different hormone levels, it is always wise to take expert opinion before you buy one. The FDA has approved Ortho Tri- Cyclen and generic norgestimate / ethinyl estradiol for treatment of acne. The other birth control pills that are effective as remedy for acne in younger women with fluctuating levels of hormones are Desogen, Demulen, Brevicom, Nelova 1/35, Ovcon 35 and Ortho Novum 7/7/7.

The expert opinion is also necessary as certain birth control pills have higher Androgen levels, which causes more oil secretion and thus can even worsen your scars. Moreover, some pills cause side effects like weight gain, blood clots, abdominal pain, fatigue, headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings and irregular periods.

How the Pill Works:

Sebaceous glands are certain glands found in most part of our body. These glands mostly open into a hair follicle. Sebum is produced in these glands. When the sebum production increases, it blocks the glands and starts to fill the gland like a balloon which then with the infection of Bacteria P. acnes become inflamed acne.

The remedy for this is reducing the production of sebum. Androgens are responsible for the functioning of sebaceous glands. Excess Androgens produce more sebum and in turn more acne. The birth control pills reduce the production of androgen and prevent the outbreak of acne.

Oral contraceptive pills can be of two types. One contains only Progestin and the other contains both estrogens and progestin. The estrogens may be in the form of ethinyl etradiol, which reduces acne by controlling the level of androgens.

Thus, birth control pills can provide a dual remedy to women by preventing pregnancy and also acting as a preventive for acne.