5 replies to this topic

[Shannanigunz]

I am on ortho tri cyclen BCP and it has given me horrible hormonal acne, worse than it was before I started the pill. I am 25, and just NOW getting acne when it has never been a problem before, not even in my teens.

I told my doctor after being in the pill for a little over 3 months that it was breaking me out, she agreed and wanted to give me oral antibiotics. Doxycycline to be exact.

This is stupid.

Antibiotics, as all women on BC know, decrease the effectiveness of birth control as an actual contraceptive. So, why not just stop if I'm going to take antibiotics?

I told her I would see a dermatologist instead, and ask for something topical. That happens next week.

In the mean time... Has anyone tried using vitamin A, D, E, or Biotin as andietary suppliment to combat acne?

I've read many articles online about how these are supposed to be good for your skin, but you have to be careful because too much of any of these can be toxic.
I would really like to try giving vitamins a shot, and see what hat does.

Has anyone given vitamins+BCP a try? Instead of antibiotic pills.

[dave6677]

A couple of people on curezone.com have claimed they had cystic acne and oily skin for like 15 years or something and saw palmetto was a miracle drug that cured them completely. Both swore by the standardized version from GNC. I took it for a month and saw maybe a 10 percent decrease in oil, which could have been just wishful thinking but it was giving me muscle twitching in the arm, and as soon as I stopped taking it, it stopped. 

 

I'm taking zinc right now, and not for long, and it seems to be helping some without any side effects, but again, could just be wishful thinking, will update later if it indeed helped. 

 

If your issue is small pimples than actual acne, not a supplement, but pick up a tube of Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. It does wonders for bumps and it's like 3 bucks. 

Edited by dave6677, 24 January 2013 - 05:30 AM.

[Shannanigunz]

Thanks Dave.
Wow, twitching? That's some scary stuff. Sounds like it was becoming toxic to you.
Unfortunately I wouldn't just be taking these vitamins for little bumps, haha, I wish that was my only problem.
I do get cyst-like bumps, thiugh im not sure if they are actual cysts. I'm very new to them, and I can't believe how painful they can be and how long they stick around.
I am looking for some relief that will tie me over for another two weeks before I see the derm.
I've had SUCH AMAZING luck with bactroban as a spot treatment, but I don't want to use it a lot because I know your skin's bacteria can build an immunity to it, and make it ineffective.

I WILL, however, try the mint julep masque, because my jawline is still pretty plagued with tiny bumps as of late.

Do let me know how the zinc goes! I think it's supposed to take at least 14 days before you notice a difference.

[RJT623]

I totally agree with you, taking antibiotics to help acne that is being caused by your BCP seems like a completely ignorant suggestion! I myself just started taking a zinc supplement, as well as vitamin C. Both are supposed to be beneficial for acne, as well as for the immune system. I'm hoping that it helps my skin, but if not, at the very least maybe I won't get sick I am also on BCP - TriSprintec. I've been on it for years and never noticed any affect on my skin, good or bad. Be careful with Biotin...I've read that it can actually break you out...this was after I was taking a zinc/C/B complex combo, notice my skin getting much worse, happened to stumble across a thread about Biotin causing breakouts, looked at the vitamin bottle and low and behold there was 200& of the RDA in there! Apparently it's in a lot of multi and combo vitamins. I read a thread where it was suggested to take eat vitamin separately, no combo pills. Oh, and I read a great thread about vitamin D3, which is what we get from the sun (or don't get from the sun...). My zinc tablet also has D3 (but no Biotin!). I also experience hormonal cystic acne...very large nodules, very painful, very unsightly. I feel for you. I'm breaking out terribly right now, but I'm hoping that these supplements along with a better skincare routine will lead me to clearer skin Hang in there!

[dave6677]

Thanks Dave.
Wow, twitching? That's some scary stuff. Sounds like it was becoming toxic to you.
Unfortunately I wouldn't just be taking these vitamins for little bumps, haha, I wish that was my only problem.
I do get cyst-like bumps, thiugh im not sure if they are actual cysts. I'm very new to them, and I can't believe how painful they can be and how long they stick around.
I am looking for some relief that will tie me over for another two weeks before I see the derm.
I've had SUCH AMAZING luck with bactroban as a spot treatment, but I don't want to use it a lot because I know your skin's bacteria can build an immunity to it, and make it ineffective.

I WILL, however, try the mint julep masque, because my jawline is still pretty plagued with tiny bumps as of late.

Do let me know how the zinc goes! I think it's supposed to take at least 14 days before you notice a difference.

 

The twitching was mild and was only in one small area but it was weird 'cuz it only happened when I lied down. But it was enough for me to stop taking SP and as soon as I did, the twitching stopped immediately. 

 

Yeah, not sure if the mask will do anything for cysts, but for bumps/blackheads/oily skin/blogged pores, the mask is a must have in your medicine cabinet, my main problem is oily skin but the mask has helped keep any acne at bay. Also, don't be discouraged by the low price, not all the best products are the most expensive ones, it's one of the best selling and best rated products on drugstore.com (I picked up mine at CVS). And it's a lot of fun when you put it on, because your face gets this tingling feeling and you can feel and see all the impurities being drawn out lol. 

 

And yeah, I have to be patience with zinc, we all get frustrated and want an overnight cure.

[mermaidlovex]

biotin can cause cystic acne ontop of the hormonal acne your already having. ive tried taking biotin, and it made my skin freak out. and im also on BCP. but i heard taking probiotics can help with acne, since itll give your body all the good bacteria it needs. im taking ortho tri cyclen lo and will soon be taking doxycycline, and my derm prescribed it knowing i was on birth control. so i dont think it will make the birth control less effective, ive done research on it, and doxycycline is one the many antibiotics out there that does not effect birth control.