Spironolactone
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Spironolactone is a type of oral medication called an anti-androgen that is sometimes prescribed to females. Androgens are male hormones that are present...

Spironolactone is a type of oral medication called an anti-androgen that is sometimes prescribed to females. Androgens are male hormones that are present in both males and females that lead to more acne, and spironolactone helps reduce androgens.

It is usually taken once or twice a day, around the same time(s), preferably with a meal.

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June 22, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin

Cons:

It took a few months to see results

I'm 24 and have PCOS and I LOVE IT!!! I did, however, have to be very patient with it. It took a good 3 months before I even noticed a difference in my skin. But since then my skin has completely cleared up. My breast were a bit tender when I first started using it. I have also lost about 25 lbs but I'm not sure if it's responsible for that or if it's the Yaz I take, or the combination of the two. I no longer feel like a monster and I am glad that I was patient with it. I know it's difficult and depressing but give it some time and you will see results.
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June 13, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, less oily, less body hair, bigger boobs, cheap, easy to use

Cons:

have to pee more often

I'm almost 30 and have suffered from acne since 5th grade. I've tried EVERYTHING, including accutane, with little success. When I went on Yasmin birth control a few years ago, my skin cleared up drastically and the little acne I had left I could live with. But a year ago my doctor switched me to the mini-pill because he thought the Yasmin put me at an increased risk for stroke and my acne came back with a vengeance. From this I knew that my acne was hormonal. I started taking fish oil and zinc and saw improvement with fewer blackheads and whiteheads, but still got a lot of cysts, especially in the chin and jaw line areas. After using the spiro for about 2 months, my skin cleared up completely and I am more confident in my looks than I have ever been! Bigger boobs and less body hair have been big bonuses too! If you're a female acne sufferer, use this!
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June 11, 2009

Pros:

Acne disappeared!!!

Cons:

Going to the bathroom a little too often.

I am 23 years old and I have had acne since I was 13 years old. Finally finally I found something that cured my acne. I also use the benzoyl peroxide 10% and tretinoin cream .05% and have been using this for a really long time, but until I tried spironalactone my cystic acne went away. Now my problem is I have deep pitted scars! Hopefully I can find something to minimize my scarring. If you live near the Milwaukee area and you had deep pitted scars and you found someone great who reduced the scars PLEASE let me know!
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June 10, 2009

Pros:

fewer cysts, shorter duration of break outs, smoother skin, mild weight loss, less mood irritability, increased sex drive

Cons:

occasional light-headedness

If you are in your late 30's and suffering form hormonal fluctuations, then this medication is for you. Not only has it helped me with the acne, but I also experience less premenstrual irritability. My sex drive has increased since I started this med. Perhaps this is due to increased self-esteem now that my skin is clearer and I've lost a few pounds. I love this medication!
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June 6, 2009

Pros:

Hang in there--everyone's hormones are different. I havent had a cyst since the 3rd week, and my blackheads are gradually disappearing (I am in my 8th week). I also feel like I need to shave my legs and pluck my eyebrows a lot less.

Cons:

One big breakout a week in. For the first 2 weeks, it was hard to sleep and I had to go to the bathroom a lot. Now, I get pretty tired about 2 hours after a pill. I also have noticed I feel like my body temperature is much warmer.

I don't have insurance but the Spiro is worth the $60/mo. I pay (I take 50 mg in the morning and another 50 at night). This works by reducing the aldosterone and testosterone in your body, so its usually prescribed for women only--but less testosterone means less oil, bigger breasts, mild weight loss--all were big plusses for me. It does take time to see results, but I've been struggling with acne so long (since I was 12 and I'm 30 now) and tried so many treatments (incl. Accutane), I was willing to wait. After a breakout one week in, my skin has improved a little bit each day; I'm getting lots of compliments now, and feel like I can just shower and go without having to take a lot of time to put on makeup. One caveat for me was that after 2 weeks, your doctor will want to check your potassium levels with a blood test (since Spiro is also used to lower blood pressure, potassium becomes really important)--I'm scared of needles, but it was worth it! Try it for at least a few months!
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June 5, 2009

Pros:

My skin is perfectly clear, skin & hair is less oily then it's ever been, less body & facial hair, weight loss (no belly bloat), hair & nails growing faster, breasts are larger & firmer!

Cons:

Urinating more often, leg cramps from dehydration (went away when I started drinking more water), shorter time between periods & fatigue (also went away when I started drinking more water).

This is the best thing I have ever used for acne. I am 40 years old with cystic acne and extremely oily skin & hair & I have tried EVERYTHING! I started taking Spirnolactone over a year ago. I noticed a difference within 2 months & I have been acne free every since - with the occasional (1) I might get the week before my period which now I take Bactrim the week before and that keeps me from getting any. I drink a lot of water and it keeps me from being fatigued & I don't get leg cramps. As for urinating more - it isn't bad enough that I have to get up in the middle of the night but I can tell a difference. I can also tell a huge difference in the amount of water weight - I no longer have the the belly bloat & my breast are definitely more tender but this is a positive thing since they are also firmer and larger. I try to tell every woman I meet that has acne about this drug because it is the best thing out there! I wish I would have know about this 20 years ago!! :) Good Luck :)
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May 31, 2009

Pros:

works great skin is less oily less breakout no cyst hair is less oily as well

Cons:

the only side effect for me has been decreased libido (yikes!) i hope that will go away

i love this med i have also tried everything from Rx to Otc. oral and topical this is the first thing to give me this much hope in a long time. The thought of having bigger boobs is a nice plus i just hope that im one of the ones that this happens for. if you think your acne is hormonal you should definitely give this a try its very affordable as well just be sure to drink plently of water.
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May 27, 2009

Pros:

The only thing that has worked. It feels like a miracle that I rub my face with my unwashed hand while I'm at work and not freak out about giving myself a breakout. Instead I think about how soft and smooth my face feels. + My hair is no longer oily.

Cons:

4 months to really start working. My skin went from kind of bad to beyond horrible. Like taking Accutane, but the break outs were all cystic, itchy and on my jawline and neck only. I also experienced a few of heart palps. My boobs are too big now.

If you can stick with it, you will finally be happy with your skin. My skin started breaking out when I was 15 or 16 and I'm now 38. I took Accutane, birth control pills, IPL (which worked for 1 year, but it cost $1200), but my skin always eventually broke out again. Interestingly, it was a Physicians Assist at my derm's office that suggested I take it. I started out with 25mg and worked up to 100mg. I read this blog back in Dec and it gave me hope to stick it out. Believe me, I wanted to quit because I started dating a new guy that month and was literally crying on New Year's Eve because my face was a mess. The guy is still around and told me last week how great my skin looks. If you decide to take this medication, I suggest you find a great facialist to get a series 6 peels and monthly facials while you're waiting for the magic to start happening. The PA agreed this would be helpful. My facialist told me that she hadn't seen such dramatic improvement in her 20+ years working. :)
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May 25, 2009

Pros:

fast acting, easy to use

Cons:

weird after taste if i let it sit in my mouth too long before swollowing them

I have had severe cyctic acne and it would be so painful to even touch my face at times. i was actually told by my co-worker that i really needed to see a dermatologist about it a few months ago, which is quite embarrasing knowing that it was being noticed. Since i have been precribed this, and using it regularly, i have never been happier with my skin. i go out without make now, and love to touch my skin! this is truly unbelievable.
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May 25, 2009

Pros:

It works!! It took a while for it to work (~3mo). Infact I think it got worse at first and every time I increased my dose until I got 100mg daily. Now my skin is almost completely clear. Yay!

Cons:

My periods have gotten a little off schedule, but I think they're going back to normal now.

It actually works! I've had pretty severe acne since I was 13. I've been on Accutane twice, every antibiotic under the sun, tried Retin-A, and the list goes on. I've had a little success with birth control, but my moods get whacky when I'm on the pill. So, I was thrilled to find out that there is a medication that actually decreases oil production instead of trying to take care of the excess oil after its already on my skin and causing break-outs.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website