How to treat hormonal acne naturally

Trying Hormonal and Prescription Treatments

Hormonal birth control

As a disclaimer, acne treatments prescribed can be very effective in treating skin problems. I’ve heard it from friends, read the articles, and seen the before and afters on TikTok, so I’m fully convinced that the prescription route can absolutely be the right decision for some. My experience is not a warning against medication; rather, it’s a personal story of what I’ve learned works best for my body.

After getting a prescription and starting a low dose of birth control specifically for my acne issues, I was only on it for a week. After only taking it for a few days, I started to feel a little depressed, both mentally and physically. My appetite was ravenous, I felt nauseous, my emotions were erratic, and I felt a great dissociation from my normal self – all of it. side effects not uncommon with the pill.

Although these changes were not unusual, they were intense enough to signal that this was not the ideal treatment for my body.

Doxycycline

Less disruptive in terms of hormones in particular, but still taken orally, dermatologists often suggest antibiotics for persistent acne – but only in the short term. I was specifically placed on Doxycycline, an antibiotic intended to treat a variety of problems. bacterial infectionsas :

• Acne
• Rosacea
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia

Although the antibiotic helped keep my skin stable, I didn’t find it improved anything, making it an option that didn’t seem sustainable for me to continue using.

After trying for a few weeks, the unsuccessful trial period caused me to continue looking for long-term solutions that weren’t just band-aids on the problem.

Tretinoin

Revered as the Holy Grail among the acne community, I wanted tretinoin to be both effective and tailored to my skin’s needs. Be a concentration of pure retinoic acid, the topical cream is one of the most powerful on the market for the treatment of acne, which makes it both effective and tough.

Although the steroid works accelerate skin cell renewal to promote clear skinto get there, the skin barrier can undergo side effectsas:

• A.dizziness
• Drought
• Itch
• Burning
• Increased UV sensitivity

Even after following the derm’s instructions, my skin barrier was damaged, with breakouts that were violent and more painful than ever.

Accutane and more intense hormonal treatments

As my acne persisted, I wondered if it was serious enough to be treated with more intense medications, like Accutane. After seeing a dermatologist for advice, I was given a resounding “no” on whether I was a candidate for Accutane. She explained that while it significantly reduces sebum production and stops acne at the source, it also disrupts the body well beyond the skin barrier.

Some studies suggest that Accutane has the potential to cause hepatitis and other gastrointestinal side effects. Â On the mental side, studies reveal that the drug may interact negatively with hormones and your mental health, potentially causing depression, psychosis and suicidal thoughts.

Besides the mental and physical side effects, Accutane is also not compatible with treatment if you are trying to conceive, with reports linking it to potentially fatal birth defects.

So, clear skin would eventually come if I was prescribed it, but at what cost?

After the rejection, I decided to change the subject and take a more holistic approach to treatment.