I have really bad acne, which pill should I be on?

[PeacesOfAte]

Before I had children, as a teen and an adult, I got really bad spots.

While pregnant and breastfeeding, my skin was great, barely a spot. After three kids, I've just stopped breastfeeding a few months ago, and now my skin is awful.

I guess this means that it's a hormone reason that I get the bad skin, so if I go back on the pill, what should I be asking for? And does anyone have any current experience of creams, gels, etc to use too that could help?

I'm going to make a GP appointment tomorrow, I 've had enough of looking like this! The stupid thing is that I've just separated from dh, so have no need to be on the pill except to sort out my skin.

I've had horrible reactions to the pill and they have never sorted out my adult acne. Antibiotics are the only thing that have worked for me. They take about 6wks to be effective but they have really made a difference.

Topically, neat witch hazel is great. You can buy it from a pharmacy, slop it on a cotton wool pad and hold it against the spot for about 5/10m. I also use it as a toner all over at night too. WH really helps reduce inflammation for me.

Dianette. I am aware that it is controversial and indeed banned in some countries because of side-effects BUT, it completely cleared my skin. Amazing effect. This was when I was about 20/21.

You're not supposed to stay on it long though, I think I was on it a couple of years longer than I should have been actually. A new young doctor noticed and changed me to Yasmin, saying it was also very good for skin. I was reluctant to switch but she was right. I loved Yasmin and stayed on it until we started ttc. I plan to go back on it once my pg/bf days are over. It is apparently very expensive though so you'd probably have to specifically request it.

Hope you find one that works. Waking up to clear skin every day is a revelation!

Dianette, Yasmin or Yaz all gave a blocking effect in the testosterone that affects oil production to the skin. This helps with acne. I think Dianette is an older type & not used so much due to risk of blood clots. Yasmin is the newer one.

It was Dianette that I used to be on pre-children.

I'm pretty reluctant to go back on the pill, I wanted my body to go back to being 'mine' - no hormones from pills, pregnancy or breastfeeding for the first time ever as an adult, but I just can't stand the spots!

I would suggest you ask the GP for a course of lymecycline (an antibiotic) rather than going on the pill, certainly if you don't need contraception.

There is never a guarantee that hormonal preparations will sort out acne and Dianette (which isn't actually a contraceptive pill but has a contraceptive effect) is not prescribed much any more due to risks.

Dianette short term Yasmin is also not recommended intact there was an MHRA warning last year. Once under control marvel on also good

I have suffered from acne for 17 years and dianette is the only thing that has ever helped.

Unless you need the protection I would stay away from the pill. Your GP can offer far more effective treatments. It depends on the severity of your acne but its usual to be offered antibiotics and a topical treatment. If , after trying 3 treatments you still are not happy, you should be offered an appt at a dermatology clinic. If your acne is moderate to severe you should be offered Roaccutane.....it's not pleasant but it works....really works. There are several types of acne too, a dermatologist is the best person to sort your skin out.

Agree with Overthefields I was just like you, Dianette worked again after I had the kids but I had to stop it because I was over 35/it was risky and my skin became awful.
I went on Roaccutane and it was miraculous. If I could live my life again I would take it at 18 and cut out the years of acne misery. I know it has side effects and it needs to be closely monitored but it was brilliant for me.

Thanks all, useful info to go armed with to the GP. So what's the deal with Roaccutane? I'll have a google too.

Roaccutane is usually given as a 16 wk course of treatment. You have to have pregnancy tests during the treatment, blood tests to monitor your liver function. There are many unpleasant side effects. I have had 2 courses, DS1 & 2 have both had a course.( dermatologist told me that boys follow their Mother skin wise ). Acne can be treated, it makes me sad when I see people suffering. You can't really offer advice to people unless they bring the subject up, which they never do. I'm glad you did though. It's a pain having to take the antibiotics, they work for some not for others. If you GP gives you Retin A ( gel or cream) pm me, there is a correct way to apply for maximum effect and my GP had no idea. Retin A is also used world wide as an anti ageing product, it's fantastic stuff.

Thanks OverTheFields, this is really useful. My appt is on Monday, I'll report back.

I wouldn't mention Roaccutane to the GP. In my experience they know nothing about it. It can only be prescribed by a Consultant Dermatologist and you can only get the prescription filled at a hospital pharmacy. I actually had a heated discussion ( shame on me ) with my GP re the actual age You have to be to get it. He thought it was 18 when in fact it's 13. I see so many teens with severe acne that can be treated but end up terribly scarred. I suffered for 30 years and have become a bit of a zit Nazi. Good luck at the docs.

Please let us know how you get on. I have terrible acne, was bad before pregnancy, got worse through pregnancy and breast feeding, and has been worse than ever since. I hate it, sometimes when I yawn a spot bursts!
I have been on various treatments before pregnancy, and am now on my third type of antibiotic since giving birth. I see a dermatologist who says I won't get roaccutane due to depression, despite the fact that my face makes my depression worse.
There was a thread on here talking about using Epsom salts and bicarbonate of soda. It's not a cure a such, but over night it really reduced the general redness and inflammation. But I plan on using it when I need a bit extra confidence, or wanting photos taken.
Sorry, I'm probably not much help, but wishing you all the best, hope you find what works for you.

Loupee, have you tried Retin A gel?

Thanks over yeah I have been on it before, and using it again now from the Dermotologist, roll on September for my next appointment.

Although, I've just looked at your previous post and would be interested in how you apply it. PM me of you can.

Dianette is probably the first thing you will be offered, although other forms of the pill can treat acne too. Dianette did nothing for me but Yaz was very good and I had painfree periods for the first time ever on it.

One thing you might want to consider is taking topical antibiotics and a retinoid gel/cream at the same time as being on the pill - you often need a combined approach of all three to eliminate acne. I wasted years fannying around trying one after the other when I really needed to take all three at once to see a good result.

I wouldn't bother talking about Roaccutane at this stage - you would only be referred for it if standard pill/antibiotics/differin had been tried for a while and didn't work. Incidentally I took it and it did bugger all for me although most people have a really good response.