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 12, 2011

Pros:

Clear Skin
Less Oil

Cons:

Dry hair
Weight gain (about 10 pounds)

I am 35 and struggled with acne my entire life. This drug cleared my skin like nothing I have tried before (and I've tried EVERYTHING). As an added bonus, my face no longer feels like an oil slick half way through the day. The main drawback is that I didn't realize early enough that I would need to change my hair care routine. All of the sudden, my hair is dry and straw-like. But I'm learning to use conditioner, and I'm confident I can get it under control. All in all, I am very happy I started this medication, and wish I could have found it years ago. Now I need to figure out how to get rid of the acne scars :/
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June 11, 2011

Pros:

Works really quickly

Cons:

Caused melasma, headaches, and fatigue

This medication works really fast, but this medication gave me a tan-stache!!! I'm going back to accutane.
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June 11, 2011

Pros:

Controls oil production
Cleared my skin/acne
No harsh side effects

Cons:

A higher dose was required to achieve the clearest results
Still need to be very careful not to get pregnant, studies have been shown that it may alter a male fetus

This drug is wonderful. My skin is 100% clear right now as I'm writing this. My derm started me at 25mg about 2 months ago, I was also taking Loestrin 24 fe at the time. The 25mg did nothing for me whatsoever. He bumped it up to 100mg a day about a month ago, I had a very bad initial breakout. 2 weeks ago I decided to pair the 100mg of spiro with Ortho Tri Cyclen birth control and my skin has been absolutely beautiful. A brief overview of myself, I've had moderate persistant acne since I was 12 and have been on accutane 3 times, (along with everything else on the planet) I never knew a drug could keep me as clear as accutane without the harsh side effects. After my accutane courses my acne would reappear on my cheeks/chin/jawline. Instead of trying ANOTHER hopeless accutane course, we decided to give the spiro a shot. SO happy I did.
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June 10, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up back and chest acne.
Only one side effect listed below.
Pretty cheap.

Cons:

At a dose above 25 mg made me have my period all the time, non stop for weeks.
Didn't clear up the acne on my face, at higher doses it only made it worse.

The first month I used this pill I started out at 25 mg and within a week I already noticed the oil in my skin decrease and my skin was clearing up. Never noticed any decrease in the oil in my hair like other people talked about though. After a month at the follow up with my doctor I was very happy with the results and he asked me if there was any room for improvement and so we agreed to increase the dose to 50 mg. Gradually my skin went back to the way it used to be and within three months it became worse than it ever was. I was getting acne in places on my face I never used to get any before. I went up to 75 mg but it never got better. So after a total of about four to five months, I decided to go back down to 25 mg. My skin got better pretty soon, but it was never clear like the first month. It just went back to how it used to be before this pill.I started getting these photofacial laser treatments again which work way better. I'm still taking the 25 mg a day though because I'm scared to go off the pill and see what happens.Eventually I'll need to go off though. Very disappointed, I had such high hopes for this drug. :(
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June 5, 2011

Pros:

works quickly

Cons:

i didn't experience any negative side effects

I was so skeptical of this because I have literally tried everything to clear up my cystic, painful acne. Accutane twice, a variety of strong antibiotics, all the acne fighting products out there. I've battled acne since I was 11. After I have my 3rd son 5 years ago, my acne became worse than it's ever been. I couldn't really do much because I was nursing. Then I had another baby, so I was nursing still. I finally took the advice of a friend and saw my midwife, and she suggested this. Within 4 days, my skin cleared up. I couldn't believe it. She started my on 25mg per day, but after a bad breakout during my first cycle, she bumped me to 50mg. I've been at that does for 4 months now and the only time I get a pimple is when I forget to wash my face. But even then, it's a tiny whitehead and is gone the next day. Not even any breakouts during my period aside from that first month. I couldn't be happier about this! I've seen some other reviews that say they also started birth control with this, so I thought I'd throw out there that I don't use birth control.
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May 31, 2011

Pros:

Only thing that has really worked.

Cons:

None that I know of.

On 50 mg twice a day paired with Cephalexin. Use Aczone a couple times a week. I've had acne for twenty years and have tried everything over the counter and been to the dermatologist countless times. Been loving this routine and have only gotten one zit in the last month. I can finally let people see me without make up and can take pictures at the pool now. It is totally amazing. I hope it keeps working!
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May 28, 2011

Pros:

Clears hormonal acne
Works quickly
Reduces bloating
Sex drive increased
Mood improved

Cons:

Dries skin (may be a pro for oilier skin)
Breast size increased (may be a pro for some)

I have been taking Spirinolactone for 10 days now, and I feel like I have finally found my miracle cure. I first developed acne at 13. I've been on Accutance twice, at 16 and again at 26. Both times my skin was clear for about a year afterwards, then the acne came back. I actually went to the derm to ask for another round of Accutane. She thought my acne was hormonal and suggested I try Spiro first. If it didn't work I could give Accutane another shot. Well, as it turns out she was right on the money. I'm thrilled with the results so far. I noticed an improvement within a day of starting. 10 days in, I'd say my skin is 70% clearer. All the cysts are gone (cysts on the jaw, chin and neck are a sign of hormonal acne). My back and scalp are 100% clear. I have a few small pimples on my face and chest. My skin overall feels drier and slightly rougher, but nothing that some moisturizer can't fix (nothing at all like the dry, cracked skin on Accutane!). Spiro is an androgen antagonist. It will only work if your acne is hormonally based, i.e. you have too much testosterone, and it can only be used by women. It also corrects other hormonal symptoms. My mood has improved. I feel happy and serene. My hair is softer and silkier. Bloating has gone down - I used to retain 10 lbs of water during my cycle! I'm hoping that continues to improve. The only side effects I've noticed are sometimes feeling light-headed and sleepy, but it's very mild and goes away quickly. And I do feel a little bit thirstier, but I just drink more water. If you have hormonal acne, please give Spiro a shot. For me, it's been a total win. I take 100mg a day.
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May 27, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up my acne
Lost some weight

Cons:

Aching knees
joint pain
muscle weakness

At 51 I have had cystic acne on and off since I was 13. I have been on accutane 4 times. My doctors refuse to put me back on it. I was told of Spironolactone and took a blood test to see if I could handle it. Came back fine. Initially started with .25 for a month than up .50. I have never had knee pain before, started with a week of taking the .25, when I got up to .50 by knees started to buckle, no warning I would just feel like I was going to fall. Stopped taking the medicine and within 4 days no more knee pain. I have researched these symptoms and I can't find anything that talks about joint pain and sprionolactone. No longer taking anything and starting to breakout again, but at least I have no more pain.
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May 26, 2011

Pros:

Only thing that has ever cleared my skin.
Made me less bloated.

Cons:

Took 6 months to work.
Gave me two periods a month.
Eventually gave me an ulcer
Made me light headed/tierd.

I had to go on BC after starting 100 mg Spiro due to it's effect on my period. Spiro was amazing. Cleared me up 95%. And I had tried everything Accutane, Antibiotics, Allesse etc. Unfortunately had to stop because of an ulcer and since then have started breaking out again. It's a wonder pill as long as u have a strong stomach, and if you have a high level of androgens. Get your hormones tested first before trying this.
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May 26, 2011

Pros:

Minty taste
Oil production VASTLY reduced
Self-esteem
Flat-unbloated tummy
Redness decreased in new scars
Cysts cleared within 1 week
Complexion over-all wonderful
For $0, the price is right. TGI Canadian Health care.

Cons:

Dizziness - Be very careful to eat enough salt and drink enough water when taking this medication. It's VITAL.

Recently, after stupidly thinking I could smoothly transition from Diane 35 (HBC) to Yasmin, I broke out with about 5 cysts - when I get cysts my skin becomes intensely fragile, so a scratch to an itchy face resulted in skin being torn and scabs. It wasn't my sexiest moment. I had taken spironolactone a couple of years ago with great success, and tapered off of it after plateauing - from there I used the Diane 35 as a milder alternative. Well, seeing as how I had a bottle left over, I reached for it and decided I would take some to try to get the oil and cysts under control. A lot of people report seeing a difference in a matter of 2-8 weeks, so I suppose I am not a typical result. Please do keep that in mind, and don't be discouraged if you don't see an improvement the second you start taking this, just hold out and reap the benefits. That being said, the first time I was prescribed Spiro it did take a few weeks to see real results, however I guess my system is functioning more efficiently now, with the addition of 14 servings fruit and veg every day, and basically just taking really great care of myself. I saw results within 2 days. I saw even better results 5 days after the fact. My hair isn't nearly as oily, my skin is still oily, but now I feel like it's at a normal level, and overall my complexion is much much better. Try it out, wait for the results you want, and feel good about yourself!
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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