Wow thanks for your detailed reply. It sounds like the zinc was instrumental in clearing you up. I am already taking 22mg zinc picolinate per day, i have been dubious about taking more as surely it cant be safe to take so much zinc over a long period of time without side effects? I know very little about it.

Further to my previous posts, another factor i thought of was whether or not you were 100% clear when on the pill or not. Those of you reading this who have experienced acne after stopping the pill, please add your info in the form of the post i made earlier:

Thank you for your responses. I really believe the more information we can get the more likely we can solve this problem, it is very common after all to get acne after stopping the pill, whether you had it before or not.

 

I think i have thought up the most important questions for you all, so i will list them here with my own answers. If your reading this and going through the same, it would be great if you could copy and paste the whole thing and then delete my answers and add your own.

 

Age: 29

 

Pill: Cilest (Uk brand, exactly the same as Ortho Cyclen i think)

 

Started pill: age 19 with 1 year break about 5 years ago (i got acne during the break)

 

Stopped taking: Dec 2010

 

Periods: First period 39 days after the last pill withdrawal bleed. Lasted only 2 days. 2nd period 41 days after the first one. Lasted about 3 days

 

Skin: 1 cyst which has taken a month to disappear. Face clear at the moment but has started getting really oily. A few spots on my back which started after 1 month. Been off the pill exactly 3 months so waiting to see what will happen and when (if your already experiencing acne it would help if you add whether it came on suddenly or gradually and give details on severity)

 

Now using: Topicals. BP in the morning and Isotrexin at night

 

Anything else: Please add any additional information, did you start to break out only on your face or on your back/chest as well? Did it start on your back/chest first or on your face first? Are you experiencing any other changes since coming off the pill? Is there anything that has helped your skin? etc

The more info we can collect the better chance we have of finding a solution

Age - 24

Pill - Dianette (UK)/ Yasmin

Went on Pill - Age 19

Stopped Pill - Dianette- August 2010/Yasmin- October 2010

Periods - didnt start my period until the end of january nearly 4 months after i stopped the pill, it then took another couple of months for me to get a second period

Acne onset - My skin had started to get bad when my doctor switched me to yasmin but just exploded a month into stopping all together

Acne improved/ cleared - It improved and then worsened... I think its very much related to my cycle

Anything that helped - removing all chemical products replacing them with natural and organic ones. Turmeric and sandlewood masks daily and applecider vinegar used as a toner.

Just wanted to add the severity.... The cysts came on quite suddenly, i think about 5 appeared on my left cheek all on one day they were very painful and took a long time to heal and while they healed i would consistently get new ones, pretty much totally isolated to my cheeks and sides of my chin. They have left nasty red marks.

After about 3 months they calmed down, this is after my period started, and then a month later suddenly i started getting pimples all over my shoulders and back and more on my face (more randomly than before) and quite oily. I have had a small second period but my skins not clearing much this time

you need to visit a dermatologist from what i can see about your details it looks that you have moderated to severe acne? if so please stop wasting time and MONEY visit a dermatologist tell him all about your problems, tell him about birth control etc. creams, gels etc wont work for you because it seems that you have terrible acne. creams and gels only work for mild acne it takes the acne from the outside not from the inside. what i mean is that maybe your hormones are driving you crazy which maybe you need a special pill for hard hormones. its better to control the acne from the inside.

if you dont control your hormones nothing would help you to reduce your acne no creams, no gels, not proactive. (in my opinion proactive doesnt work i heard tons of negative stuffs about this)

also i heard from people who took birth control pills is that once they finished with the birth control pills their acne came back and WORSE. so i would suggest you to visit a dermatologist as soon as possible or your acne could get worse. i dont want to scare but nor i want you to waste money on products that would only works for very mild acne.

Hi everyone! I thought I'd add my story to the thread too, I'm sure this is all familiar stuff:

Age - 26

Pill - Ortho Tri Cyclen

Went on Pill: Age 16

Stopped Pill- June 2009 (age 24)

Periods - I went on BC for severe cramps and ovarian cysts. My periods have always been very regular and very light. Since stopping BC they are still regular, have returned to their previously painful state, and have gotten even lighter (this greatly surprised me).

Acne onset - September 2009 (and August 2010)

I had perfectly clear skin as a young teenager before going on the pill (I actually had a derm remark on this the summer before I started BC).

My skin was fine from June-September 2009. Suddenly I was getting cysts. They were few in number, but deep and painful, so I went to the derm and tried 4-5 different antibiotics (mostly topical but one oral). Nothing worked and I experienced really unpleasant side effects on the oral one (to the tune of needing an MRI among other things). I was also breaking out on my chest and back, both of which were new to me as well.

Flash forward to August 2010 and I was at my wits end, so I started the BC again. Big mistake for me. Within days of restarting them my skin got so much worse. I went from ~ 3-4 spots on each side of my face to 10-15 on each side. They spread to new places I had never broken out. The worst one was on my chin, it was huge and lasted for 3 months before it finally surfaced and drained.

I stopped the pills again and spent the next few months watching the spots migrate and feeling hopeless (and wishing I had been more PATIENT!). I'm not a good candidate for accutane (and didn't want to take it anyway) and I was uninterested in more antibiotics. I did some reading on here and decided to try Dan's BP routine.

I started using the BP routine on October 27, 2010. I experienced the usual flakes/red dry skin/burning. I stuck it out though, and almost 5 months later I've had pretty good results. My skin is not perfect, but I have not had a cyst since December. It took a good 4 months before I had my first day of "smooth" skin (no raised spots) since this whole fiasco started. I have lotsssss of red marks left over, but even those are improving.

I'm still hoping this won't be permanent routine and that my hormones will eventually even out, but I think it's too early to say.

Current routine AM/PM:

-Cetaphil gentle cleanser

-Dan's BP (used proactiv's at first, but Dan's is cheaper)

-Cetaphil lotion

Here on day 140 of this routine I have only one very small spot near my ear!

Thats great that you have cleared up with the regimen, i was gonna suggest that for those who want to come off the pill but are scared - maybe start the regimen a couple months before you come off the pill and see if it keeps you clear.

I have not been doing the regimen but have been applying a thin layer of bp gel in the morning and topical vitamin A (isotrexin) at night and hoping and praying that this might lessen the severity of the outbreak.

Anyway if you stopped the pill and got acne please post your info here in the format of the posts above. If we can make this the definitive thread for post pill acne then we could provide and receive a lot of help

So from my research it looks like stopping birth control obviously causes an excess of testosterone/androgens related to perhaps increased insulin sensitivity and possibly compounded by a poorly functioning liver.

Actual PCOS or PCOS symptoms seem to be a very common result of coming off the pill.

Optimum diet, exercise and the correct supplementation are very important.

A good topical regimen such as Dan's is definitely worth a try.

So for the insulin sensitivity/PCOS symptoms i was wondering if metformin or better still chromium would help.

A combination of chromium, zinc and b vitamin supplementation might not be a bad idea.

Acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine maybe.

Any input/suggestions from anyone regarding this?

Also i am STILL convinced there is a connection between the acne and how long it takes for your cycle to regulate but need more information on this

I know this might seem quite unrelated but please do not take this as being rude, it's just a thought.

You could perhaps go back onto the birth control pills and adopt instead ?

I'm only forwarding this option because a couple who are friends of mine adopted after never thinking about it at all and with care homes practically flooding now with children you could really make a huge difference.

It'd let you get your skin back into order and have one of the most amazing gifts except without the risk of a c-section or hours of labour.

So from my research it looks like stopping birth control obviously causes an excess of testosterone/androgens related to perhaps increased insulin sensitivity and possibly compounded by a poorly functioning liver.

 

Actual PCOS or PCOS symptoms seem to be a very common result of coming off the pill.

 

Optimum diet, exercise and the correct supplementation are very important.

 

A good topical regimen such as Dan's is definitely worth a try.

 

So for the insulin sensitivity/PCOS symptoms i was wondering if metformin or better still chromium would help.

 

A combination of chromium, zinc and b vitamin supplementation might not be a bad idea.

 

Acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine maybe.

 

Any input/suggestions from anyone regarding this?

 

Also i am STILL convinced there is a connection between the acne and how long it takes for your cycle to regulate but need more information on this

ive started taking saw palmetto twice a day (ive heard a particular kind from GNC is the best) its a natural anti-androgen. Ive been taking them for about 2 weeks and havent had any cystic breakouts since.... however this doesnt mean its going to stay that way as my cysts fluctuate in numbers and consistency.

Im combining this with a vit.B complex supplement and acidiphilus, and Im also thinking about starting a good fiber supplement recommended on here.

For me im sure its an increase in testosterone levels, and I think my periods are still completely messed up.... I came off the pill in October 2010 and Ive only had 2 proper periods since then! I thought after I got my first one i'd start going back to normal but then it took ages for me to get another one and again its over 6 weeks since then.

Is there a chance higher testosterone levels in women can cause irregular or non-existent periods?

Yes this is most likely hormonal, see the correct specialist, and it can probably be corrected. My gf had a similar thing happen to her from the pill - along with a dramatic growth in some of her "curves" ... Crazy hormones they put in that stuff - I wouldn't mess

GL

Hi!

I too went off the pill a year ago and my skin is so horrible!! I just started taking DIM-Plus supplements (herbs) to balance out my hormones. After getting some bloodwork done, my doctor told me I had too much testosterone in my blood- causing my acne and other issues.

I also bought the Clinique Acne system. It's only day 2, but I will update if it works!

Hi, i'm new here as I feel i need some support with my acne that has appeared after going off the pill. I had perfect skin up until 3 months ago and i'm devastaed as to how it looks now.

Age: I'm 33 and want to start trying for babies end of this year which is why i've gone off the pill.

Started pill: age 19, and a couple of breakds for 3 - 6 months and never got acne. Was on a pill called Femodon/Minulet the whole time without any problems. But apparently this wasn't a great pill and most pharmacies don't even stock it.

Stopped taking: October 2010

Periods: First period about 60 days after the last pill withdrawal bleed. Lasted only a few days. 2nd period 39 days after the first one. 3rd about 45 days. all lasted about only a few days.

Skin: Cluster of papules on my left cheek, 1 big cyst on my right cheek bone, lots of little bumps around my mouth area. Not a blemish on my forehead. Just starting to get a few spots on my chest. Been off the pill for 6 month. Nothing has changed, infact its got worse

Now using: Cetaphil cleanser morning and night, Epidulo at night, Dermologica special clearing booster on sports in morning, dermalogica active moisturiser. Doxycyline in the morning, zinc table, multi vitamin, 6 fish oil tablets. I'm also up to my 6t week of Microdermabrasion and LED Light therepy, but i feel the micro is just making it worse - although the beautician swears its helping bring it all out to the surface.

Anything else: I'm losing lots of hair everyday (although not massive clumps), i've been tested for PSOC and i'm clear. Hormone levels are fine also.

So as of last week i've just gone back on the Pill (Valette) as i went to the doctor in desperation and she took one look at my skin and said i must go back on it - she said my skin looked oily and my acne was causing scaring.

I feel like i had no choice and i'm so devasted as I know I have to deal with it again in 12mths time!

Same story!

Im 25. Went off b/c in Sept after being on it for about 9 years. I did have SOME acne prior to starting, but nothing like I do now! The weird thing is (and I noticed it in a lot of replies too) is my acne didnt flare up right away, it was January when it started- 4 mos later. Now my face is just terrible!

I too have had some success with diet changing. My diet was frightful before, but now I try and eat only whole grains, cut wayyy back on dairy, and had to completely cut out fast food (would break out like crazy after it...everytime)

Now Im increasing my fibre further, eating yogurt once a day (I find it helps but I may actually purchase a probiotic to see if it helps further) and take zinc and omega 3. My face has cleared about 85% since its worse in February.

Also worth noting- I tried Retin A. My face is sensitive so only did it once every 3 days and got the lowest dosage, AND moisturized and it made my skin flake off and made my acne so much worse. Tried it for 2 months before I quit that. I do think diet is important, but still not sure why my skin would react so badly months after stopping the bc!

Also... did any of you notice an increase in the tiny hairs that grow on your chin and around your mouth during the times off of BC that you broke out? Mine have definitely increased in amount. They're still very fine, colorless baby hairs, and I probably would not have noticed them if they didn't exist in and around the areas I'm ALWAYS noticing, aka where I'm breaking out... but I find that they are even more visible under make up. I suppose this is just another indication that hormones are to blame? That I need more estrogen and to somehow curb some of my testosterone? Did any of you notice this going away after resuming BC?

...I wish I paid as much attention to my skin when it was clear as I'm paying to it now that it's not... I'd be able to answer these questions for myself and narrow down the problem a lot more easily.

______

YES! I thought I was the only one. It's still baby fine, but ever ever so slightly darker than before. It was always super blonde but now I can actually see it if I get super close. I also noticed my hair on my legs grows faster. I used to be able to shave every 2-3 days and now I HAVE to everyday. Maybe it is PCOS or something? I dont know but the fact that there are people in this thread who struggle with it years after stopping bc makes me SO worried.

Also... did any of you notice an increase in the tiny hairs that grow on your chin and around your mouth during the times off of BC that you broke out? Mine have definitely increased in amount. They're still very fine, colorless baby hairs, and I probably would not have noticed them if they didn't exist in and around the areas I'm ALWAYS noticing, aka where I'm breaking out... but I find that they are even more visible under make up. I suppose this is just another indication that hormones are to blame? That I need more estrogen and to somehow curb some of my testosterone? Did any of you notice this going away after resuming BC?

 

...I wish I paid as much attention to my skin when it was clear as I'm paying to it now that it's not... I'd be able to answer these questions for myself and narrow down the problem a lot more easily.

 

______

 

YES! I thought I was the only one. It's still baby fine, but ever ever so slightly darker than before. It was always super blonde but now I can actually see it if I get super close. I also noticed my hair on my legs grows faster. I used to be able to shave every 2-3 days and now I HAVE to everyday. Maybe it is PCOS or something? I dont know but the fact that there are people in this thread who struggle with it years after stopping bc makes me SO worried.

Yes! Me to!!

It's a sign of too much testosterone.

If you find you're losing clumps of hair in the shower too that's another sign.

When will it end!

Same story!

 

Im 25. Went off b/c in Sept after being on it for about 9 years. I did have SOME acne prior to starting, but nothing like I do now! The weird thing is (and I noticed it in a lot of replies too) is my acne didnt flare up right away, it was January when it started- 4 mos later. Now my face is just terrible!

 

I too have had some success with diet changing. My diet was frightful before, but now I try and eat only whole grains, cut wayyy back on dairy, and had to completely cut out fast food (would break out like crazy after it...everytime)

 

Now Im increasing my fibre further, eating yogurt once a day (I find it helps but I may actually purchase a probiotic to see if it helps further) and take zinc and omega 3. My face has cleared about 85% since its worse in February.

 

Also worth noting- I tried Retin A. My face is sensitive so only did it once every 3 days and got the lowest dosage, AND moisturized and it made my skin flake off and made my acne so much worse. Tried it for 2 months before I quit that. I do think diet is important, but still not sure why my skin would react so badly months after stopping the bc!

You say in your first paragraph that your face is just terrible, and then you say your face has cleared up 85% since February? Surely this is a sign that its settling down?

Same story!

 

Im 25. Went off b/c in Sept after being on it for about 9 years. I did have SOME acne prior to starting, but nothing like I do now! The weird thing is (and I noticed it in a lot of replies too) is my acne didnt flare up right away, it was January when it started- 4 mos later. Now my face is just terrible!

 

I too have had some success with diet changing. My diet was frightful before, but now I try and eat only whole grains, cut wayyy back on dairy, and had to completely cut out fast food (would break out like crazy after it...everytime)

 

Now Im increasing my fibre further, eating yogurt once a day (I find it helps but I may actually purchase a probiotic to see if it helps further) and take zinc and omega 3. My face has cleared about 85% since its worse in February.

 

Also worth noting- I tried Retin A. My face is sensitive so only did it once every 3 days and got the lowest dosage, AND moisturized and it made my skin flake off and made my acne so much worse. Tried it for 2 months before I quit that. I do think diet is important, but still not sure why my skin would react so badly months after stopping the bc!

 

You say in your first paragraph that your face is just terrible, and then you say your face has cleared up 85% since February? Surely this is a sign that its settling down?

 

Yeah...kinda confusing, sorry. I guess since January it's just been so bad. Even as it is right now it's terrible compared to how my face has ever looked in my life. I only have one active one right now (by my lips, I ALWAYS get them on my upper lip) but you can still see tons of red marks on my forehead from how bad my face has been the last few months.

The weird thing for me is that Im not 100% sure its hormonal. My periods are regular, and I've been keeping a log of when I get breakouts during the month and there's no clear pattern at all. I dont get them at a certain time of my cycle, if you know what I mean.

Im increasing my fibre intake and trying to keep eating activia once a day and eating healthy all around. So far, its been the only thing that has helped and gotten me to the point Im at now. I also stopped exfoliating (wash cloth, or even just mild daily exfoliater) and thats helped quite a bit. Now I just use cetaphil stuff and am working on my diet. Even slight hormonal imbalances can be cured through having a poop twice a day (tmi sorry!) so thats the direction Im going for at this point since I dont believe acne is something that should be treated 100% topically.

Hi, I am 31 and my acne is definitely hormonal related. My androgen levels (androstendion) are elevated since I stopped taking the b/c pill 2.5 years ago. My skin was very nice while taking the b/c pill but I stopped because I didn't wanted to take it any longer (took it for more than 11 years). I also have hair loss since many years but it got a little bit better when I stopped taking the b/c pill... (strange I know).

My acne is getting much worser in the second half of my cycle. My skin is always oily, but gets extremely oily in the 2nd half of my cycle. Lately I got also bacne...

I have taken EPO (Evening Primrose Oil) capsules last year with great success. When I stopped taking them my skin got worser (but not that bad). In December I started again taking EPO but this time it didn't work like last year. I have taken 2 capsules per day (1300mg each) and my skin got worser. So I started taking only 1 capsule per day but my skin didn't improve.

So I thought maybe it wasn't the EPO what made my skin nice last year, since I was taking sooooooo many supplements at the same time (beta sitosterol, saw palmetto, zinc, nettle, b-vitamins, fo-ti, ginkgo, multivitamins........). So 2 months ago I have started using also beta sitosterol and saw palmetto. But I dont' see any improvement (my skin is getting worser every day).

I haven't taken any zinc supplements during the last few months, so I started taking 30mg zinc caps 2 days ago. Also I continue to take EPO 2 caps per day and a multivitamin which is high in b-vitamins. I have also started taking Niacinamide since I read hear that it helped a lot of people but I don't think it will help me because my acne is hormonal related.

What else could I do? Does anybody know of any supplements which could help with hormonal related acne?

I have started washing my face with a salt soap today and using colloidal silver water as a toner. I have stopped using BPO as it dries out my skin very badly and does not help very much.

I am eating very healthy (lots of fruits, vegetables, proteins, fibres, grains, no meat...).

Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

How long did it take you to start breaking out after you stopped taking the pill? Which pill was it?

This thread has been so helpful for me. I've been lurking for a couple of months after experiencing the same thing that so many have described here. I'm 31, and stopped taking Orthocyclen in November after being on it for 10 years. I'd never had any major skin issues, either before or while I was on the pill. But by January, I was completely broken out with cystic acne. First on my right temple, then along my jaw line and lower cheeks, then my forehead, then my right temple, and eventually my cheeks -- it just kept spreading around my face. I tried washing carefully, moisturizing and using OTC salicylic acid/BP, but it didn't seem to matter. I tried cutting out dairy, added fish oil, a good multi-vitamin with zinc and chromium, and Evening Primrose Oil, and again, saw no real improvement.

Finally I broke down made appointments with both my GP and a naturopath. My GP gave me antibiotics and Retin-A Micro, as I expected. My naturopath suggested a liver cleanse supplement (it's a very gentle one that you take for a month, no fasting or anything extreme), a serious multivitamin (Nature's Way Alive! Multi), and more fish oil. She also put me on a no-sugar, no refined carb, no alcohol, no caffeine diet for a month.

The Retin-A was very hard on my skin, so I started looking for alternatives, and came across lots of comments about sulfur helping hormonal acne. I started using Peter Thomas Roth's Acne Spot treatment, which has sulfur and glycolic acid as a spot treatment, along with Cetaphil cleanser.

Some combination of all of this has helped. My skin is still broken out in spots, and I have a lot of red marks, but I'm getting FAR fewer new blemishes, and the ones that I have are much, much, much less inflamed. The diet has been really hard (I always eat healthily, but I like a glass of wine with dinner and dessert sometimes!), and nothing caused a magic overnight change (although the sulfur topical did have a quick and marked effect). But it's definitely better, and I feel hopeful that it will continue to get better. I'm in a much better mental spot than I was about a month ago, when I saw no improvement no matter what I did.

I feel like I'm at a place where I can start thinking about products to fade the red marks in certain parts of my face, so that will be the next challenge...

How long have you been taking the antibiotics?

I used to have the contraceptive implant which I think actually contributed to my acne, but when I went to the Dr to have it removed for this reason she blew me off and prescribed oral and topical antibiotics.

They worked for a while, but eventually stopped. I had the implant removed late January this year (I have the non-hormonal IUD now) and went to a naturopath who tested my hormones and prescribed some herbal pills, which I dont think worked either.

Eventually I went back to the Dr and got onto another antibiotic just because my face was sooo bad and I was desperate, but at the same time I began eating a Paleo/Primal diet and increasing my time in the sun (Vit D) and I have seen a great improvement, which has been about 5-6 weeks.

My skin is predominatly dull marks now, a few non-inflammed whiteheads, but no new cysts in about 3 weeks!

Paleo/Primal is basically no grains/wheat/sugar (including fruit)/dairy and some advocate no legumes and limited nuts and seeds.

Physically I feel great! More energy, clearer eyes, less foggy brain. My skin is looking better and feeling smoother. I think that the diet and the extra sunshine have been a big factor over the antibiotics as these usually take 3 months to work.

I will give the antibiotics another few months so the diet has adequate time to kick in, then i'll gradually decrease my dosage.

Google Paleo or Primal and check out the website for Marks Daily Apple - great info on going primal. I think I will be eating this way for the rest of my life if the results keep up!

How long have you been taking the antibiotics?

I've been on the antibiotics for about 5 weeks, and on the diet for almost a month. It definitely took at least 3-4 weeks of antibiotics before I saw any appreciable change.

All these posts are very discouraging and have me stressed out for when I decide to stop taking my BCP. Here is my plan for when that time approaches and hopefully it will work in some way, doesn't have to be 100%.

I am scared of just waking up one day and deciding..Well today is the day I stop cold turkey with my BCP. I am not sure if that is what everyone else does and that just sends your body into crazy mode. Two or three months before I would like to actually stop, I would like to only take half of the pill for the first month, second month if even possible take a smaller amount even if I have to crush that baby up and take a small amount. Then after that month I will stop. I'm not sure if that would make any difference but it's worth a try. During that time period though, I plan on trying the evening primrose oil and maybe Echinacea. That concludes my plan of weening myself off BCP.

My skin care routine will stay the same until I see any big time problems. Before BCP I never really had horrible acne, but I had some and at that time I wasn't really taking care of my skin either so that had to be the big cause for the few pimples I would get. I wouldn't wash my face with any acne face washes at all. I would just use a facial cleanser for removing make up. As I got older is when I started really caring about my acne and started trying acne washes. I didn't start BCP because of acne. I take Yaz and have been on it for ... around maybe 4-5 years. It has cleared up any acne that I used to get, but I do get one to two very tiny tiny pimples when that time of the month comes along which are no big deal unless I myself pick at it and make it red which I do that almost all the time, bad habit. I use Neutrogena facial cleanser to remove my makeup, their grapefruit acne scrub at night and their grapefruit acne gel wash in the morning. After every wash I use Lumene Radiant Touch Toner, followed by Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer spf 15. Twice a week or more if I feel a pimple coming on I use Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask, I use it only as a mask and leave it on for quite a while or sometimes for spot treatment over night. I tell you ladies these products are wonderful for ME and I hope they still help after BCP. From reading all the other posts, I don't expect my face to be clear like it is now, but if I just get a few pimples like I used to, I have not problem with that. I can manage. I know everyone is different and might not get the same results but if you have not tried these please do. I also take Womens one a day vitamin and B complex. All this will stay the same once I am off BCP but I will add the evening primrose or echinacea and eat healthier.

Every body is different and will react differently. There are ladies out there that can stop taking BCP and do not break out badly. Just be positive and all you can do is try different things, don't give up. SO, if this has any good results I will keep everyone updated on it.