Skin worse before better with Dianette?

[BigUnit11]

I’ve started taking the contraceptive pill Dianette to help clear my skin. I took it years ago in my 20s for the same reason and it worked really well. I’ve been on it again for the past 2 months and my skin is worse than ever. I have around 7 separate, painful boil type spots on my face and many more on my back. They’re the type that linger for weeks and take months to disappear completely. I don’t know whether the Dianette is making it worse this time rather than better or whether I should persevere in the hope it’s a worse before it gets better type of thing.
I know a few spots isn’t the end of the world but it really does effect confidence and at 40 years of age I didn’t think this would still be a problem I’d have! Cleansers, creams etc don’t seem to touch it. Final thing would be to try roaccutane but that really would be a last resort, the side effects sound horrible.
Wondered if anyone had any experience/advice, thanks

I'm 36 and have just started taking it again for the second time (finished my second packet today). I had been on it from age 15 to 31, and had a course of roaccutane age 22. After having my son age 32, I wasn't allowed on it due to breastfeeding. My skin had been completely clear but became oily and red, with every spot leaving a scar. I started on yasmin last year, but I still had very oily skin and lots of redness. I was referred to dermatology and put back on dianette. It doesnt seem to be working as it did yet. I still have oily and red skin, and I'm feeling more emotional on it. I also use epiduo cream which smoothes my skin out, but the scarring is awful and it looks like I've threadveins all over my cheeks. My pores are massive too. I really hope it works for you. Spotty skin is such a drain on self esteem.

@MrsPworkingmummy

I'm 36 and have just started taking it again for the second time (finished my second packet today). I had been on it from age 15 to 31, and had a course of roaccutane age 22. After having my son age 32, I wasn't allowed on it due to breastfeeding. My skin had been completely clear but became oily and red, with every spot leaving a scar. I started on yasmin last year, but I still had very oily skin and lots of redness. I was referred to dermatology and put back on dianette. It doesnt seem to be working as it did yet. I still have oily and red skin, and I'm feeling more emotional on it. I also use epiduo cream which smoothes my skin out, but the scarring is awful and it looks like I've threadveins all over my cheeks. My pores are massive too. I really hope it works for you. Spotty skin is such a drain on self esteem.

Thank you so much for your reply. I have also tried Yasmin in the past, this didn’t really help the same as Dianette had. I really hope Dianette will start to work for you too. I’m going to give it 2 more months and then will have a re-think if there’s still no improvement. My back is scarred horribly, I know that won’t change but just to not have new ones every couple of days would be nice! Such a drain on self esteem, you’re right. It puts me off going out sometimes.

Been years since I was on diannette so afraid I can't help there, but I did a 6 month roaccutane course when I was 22 and it worked wonders. It is tough but you just have to seek support from family members and encourage them/you to all talk as I found it did effect my mood. BUT after a few months the increased boost to my confidence helped and the long term (over a decade later and still pretty clear skin) effects made it well worth it. Just no use if you're wanting to ttc again soon.

I’m in a similar position, am back on the pill after a year’s break as my skin was getting awful again :( they say you need to give any pill at least 3 months to see the full effects, so I’d hang in there for a while. I’m also 2 months in - it doesn’t really seem to be making any difference atm.

@Bluecheck679

Been years since I was on diannette so afraid I can't help there, but I did a 6 month roaccutane course when I was 22 and it worked wonders. It is tough but you just have to seek support from family members and encourage them/you to all talk as I found it did effect my mood. BUT after a few months the increased boost to my confidence helped and the long term (over a decade later and still pretty clear skin) effects made it well worth it. Just no use if you're wanting to ttc again soon.

Thanks for your reply, definitely will look into roaccutane if this pill doesn’t start helping. Good to know that it cleared up your skin long term.

@Ace56

I’m in a similar position, am back on the pill after a year’s break as my skin was getting awful again :( they say you need to give any pill at least 3 months to see the full effects, so I’d hang in there for a while. I’m also 2 months in - it doesn’t really seem to be making any difference atm.

Thanks for reply. It’s so hard isn’t it, mine has become so much worse recently. Let’s hope in a month or so we both will see a big difference in time from the Spring 😊

Your hormones will have shifted. At 40, I would recommend taking 50mg of zinc daily plus fish oil. Inositol is another fantastic supplement for acne.

@GarlandsinGreece

Your hormones will have shifted. At 40, I would recommend taking 50mg of zinc daily plus fish oil. Inositol is another fantastic supplement for acne.

Great, thanks for these recommendations, I’ll give them a try.