I'm gonna be that girl

laurenclaire1386

I HATE when people ask questions like this, but whatever.

My skin freaks out right before I start my period, which is pretty good empirical evidence for the case that my acne is directly related to hormones. I know that BC is sometimes prescribed for skin problems, and I started looking up what BC is usually prescribed for acne. Google tells me that orthotricyclen and yaz are most commonly prescribed for skin problems. If you're taking BC to help with acne, please tell me what you're taking and your experience with it.

opalsky007

I am not taking it specifically to help with breakouts, but I've found that they're not as bad as they usually are during that time. I'm on Aviane.

J&K10910

Yaz was awful for me, hormone wise, but it did help my skin.

I'm currently on Desogen and I think my skin has gotten better.  It's actually the best pill I've ever been on, side effects-wise.  But, even with acne, everyone is different, though I know you know that.  The thing is though, when I take my placebos, I still break out a bit.  It's not as bad as when I'm not on the pill at all, but it still happens.  So (not only for that reason, but it certainly doesn't hurt) I only take the placebos about every 3 or 4 months. 

Habs2Hart

I'm on Aviane.  It's the generic of Alesse.  It has cleared up my hormone skin a lot! 

adamar15

Orthotricyclen is what I took when I first got on BC, and my mom put me on it to help with cramps and breakouts. 

Beachy730

I can tell you what not to take, which might help narrow the list from 5,000 brands to 4,999.  

I used to take Kariva and had no problems.  When I went on H's insurance they switched me to a generic brand that is supposed to be the same, which is Mircette.  I rarely if ever had pimples for years, and for the few months that I've been on Mircette I've been getting zits like it's my job.  As soon as 1 is going away another pops up.  I feel like a teenager.

lethalmermaid

I didn't take the orthotricyclen FOR acne, but my face was clear the entire time I was on it.  As soon as I got off it, I had a BAD case of acne for several years (mid 30s so I was NOT amused).  At 36-37 my skin finally cleared up on its own.  I was not happy going through a second period of bad skin and considered going back on the ortho.  Teenage years were bad enough.  I do have the occassional breakout before starting still.  But nothing like it used to be.

Good luck!

baystateapple

I never took BC to help with acne, BUT I did get acne as a result of taking certain birth control.  Femcon made me break out.  I have no idea why.  I have always had really good skin, but in the year that I took Femcon, it made my forehead break out terribly.  So I definitely wouldn't recommend that one if you're trying to take it to clear up acne.

J&K10910

Oh, I've been on Alesse too, and that made my skin worse.

The Mel and Todd Show

I can't take BC because of heart problems, so I have an answer outside of that which you are asking (So I'm being THAT girl). 

My acne seems to be hormonal, too.  I broke down and bough a clarisonic a few weeks ago, because nothing else in the world was working.  After an initial purge, I have the most awesome skin in the world.  I mean seriously...amazing.  It's even already started correcting older acne scars.  I usually don't promote spending $200 on a single product, but this thing is amazing.  And I can report that this cycle I have not had a single blemish.  Not a one.  So there's that.   Usually I can tell it's coming because my chin will start to get bumpy, but this month I had to judge it's approach based upon my irrational behavior alone.  Andplusalso, you can get a "body" attachment for it to smooth the rest of your skin, and it doubles as jewlery cleaner (It's probably not supposed to be used on jewelry, but it was $200  .I'm using it how I want). 

annakb8

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-gonna-girl?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a5133705-a1a9-437f-a4c8-c6a40d9b4407Post:deec6566-bdee-4efc-a6e5-5235f008bec3">Re: I'm gonna be that girl</a>:
[QUOTE]I can tell you what not to take, which might help narrow the list from 5,000 brands to 4,999.   I used to take Kariva and had no problems.  When I went on H's insurance they switched me to a generic brand that is supposed to be the same, which is Mircette.  I rarely if ever had pimples for years, and for the few months that I've been on Mircette I've been getting zits like it's my job.  As soon as 1 is going away another pops up.  I feel like a teenager.
Posted by dnbeach12[/QUOTE]

I'm on Kariva too (which I thought was a generic? but maybe just not one supported by your insurance) and have no problems with my skin. I've never had really bad PMS acne, I got on BC for cramps, but overall I'm happy with Kariva and I've been on it for at least 3 years, maybe longer.

achiduck

I'm on Marvelon and have been for years. I've had no issues.

I was on Yaz before and didn't like it. I've also read a lot of bad stuff about it causing health problems. Orthotricyclen is supposed to be good for skin issues.

laurenclaire1386

I'm currently on sronyx, which is generic for Alesse and Aviane. Didn't know that until I just looked it up. It does not agree with my skin, apparently. Thanks for the recs ladies.

Denise91980

I was on Estrostep years ago and my skin was definitely not great on it. The pharmacy switched me to the generic (Tilia) which made my skin extremely clear, but also made me batshitcrazy and gain weight. I was also on FemCon and my skin was pretty clear but it was giving me yeast infections (sorry for the TMI). I would just be careful because while some may clear your skin, they may give you bad side effects as well. Just be more in tune with yourself so you could be aware of them.

missy68

I'm on Kariva, which is a generic of - something I can't recall and do it like J&K said - only take the placebos every 3 months.  My skin is pretty clear. But that may or  may not have anything to do with the BC.

ETA:  I was on orthotricyclen for years and I don't remember bad breakouts. I've had to stop taking pills with multiple levels of hormones in them.

NotColloquial

I started taking Yaz specifically for that reason. It works like magic for me. The only time I still have issues is right before I go off of it, every couple of months I'll have a couple issues. And my skin was a total disaster before I went on it.

Meg1979

I'm taking Seasonique for regular BC and to help with migraines.  Any BC clears up my face instantly.  It's like magic.  I literally do not have break outs when I'm on BC.  Ortho TriCyclen worked just as well for acne. 

FutureMrsFezz

I took orthotricyclen back in the day and it never really helped with my breakouts.  But cramps, yes.  So in other words, just don't listen to me because I'm no help.

MsLaura31

I usually lurk here, but I take Yasmin, and my skin is pretty much flawless. I'm not exaggerating or kidding. I treat my skin terribly - so I know it's the BC.

But I was prescribed it for my endometriosis. Some people don't react well to Yasmin (or Yaz), but it's the only BC that I've felt good on.

[Deleted User]

Warning, TMI: I took yaz and it gave my yeast infections like you wouldn't believe. Yaz is the devil.

I've been on the generic of orth (trisprintec) for awhile, and it works for me. I hardly ever break out. It doesn't do much for me in regards to cramps, but I've never had them that bad anyway.

janinekk

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-gonna-girl?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:a5133705-a1a9-437f-a4c8-c6a40d9b4407Post:deec6566-bdee-4efc-a6e5-5235f008bec3">Re: I'm gonna be that girl</a>:
[QUOTE]I can tell you what not to take, which might help narrow the list from 5,000 brands to 4,999.   I used to take Kariva and had no problems.  When I went on H's insurance they switched me to a generic brand that is supposed to be the same, which is Mircette.  I rarely if ever had pimples for years, and for the few months that I've been on Mircette I've been getting zits like it's my job.  As soon as 1 is going away another pops up.  I feel like a teenager.
Posted by dnbeach12[/QUOTE]

How weird! I had never heard of Mircette but just had my IUD removed and dr. put me on it. Started breaking out immediately and hoped it would clear up. I stopped taking it after 2 months and now I'm just kinda in limbo as to what to take - wedding is in three months! Orthotri-cyclen low was great for my skin, but not so great for anything else.

mjallen603

I would always get bad acne before my period as well and orthotricyclen fixed the problem. I never get unexpected breakouts anymore, maybe just the occasional pimple here or there.

lbow1984

I too am on the generic of Orthotricyclen (trisprintec) and my skin stays pretty nice with it.  Much better than before. 

mica178

I'm almost 99.99% certain that all hormonal BCP helps skin because it keeps your levels even throughout the month.  A few brands of BCP actually did the research so they can claim that they help acne, but pretty much all of them should have the same effect.

mandysmear

i always get acne around my mouth area.  and my old esthetician told me that depending on the areas on your face that break out, depends on what part of the body it is related to.  and everytime i get my period, i get zits right around my mouth.  crazy!

laurenclaire1386

Well damn Mica. Does that mean that if I'm currently on BC, switching won't help more than likely?

The Mel and Todd Show

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-gonna-girl?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:a5133705-a1a9-437f-a4c8-c6a40d9b4407Post:3e6e0deb-60dc-4f20-bb37-a30d09acd846">Re: I'm gonna be that girl</a>:
[QUOTE]Well damn Mica. Does that mean that if I'm currently on BC, switching won't help more than likely?
Posted by laurenclaire1386[/QUOTE]

Seriously.  Clarisonic.  Trust Mel.  Mel is wise and has clear skin for the first time since Thing 2 was born. 

mica178

Thing 2?  Sweet, Mel.

LC -- Your skin might like a higher or lower level of hormones or a switch from monocyclic to tricyclic (or vice versa), but honestly, I wouldn't switch BCP for your skin, because it probably won't do much.  The different formulations will affect your mood and menses more noticeably, though, so if you're switching for those reasons, go for it.

** Disclaimer: for all you know, I'm a quack, so ask your "real" doctor **

(yeah, some acutely psychotic patient recently called me a quack, my feelings are still hurt)

laurenclaire1386

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-gonna-girl?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a5133705-a1a9-437f-a4c8-c6a40d9b4407Post:0a54731d-cfa6-40cd-86bf-8529c2f45ffd">Re: I'm gonna be that girl</a>:
[QUOTE]i always get acne around my mouth area.  and my old esthetician told me that depending on the areas on your face that break out, depends on what part of the body it is related to.  and everytime i get my period, i get zits right around my mouth.  crazy!
Posted by mandysmear[/QUOTE]
Me too! The rest of my face is totally fine, but my mouth/chin area is a goddamn disaster.

laurenclaire1386

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-gonna-girl?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a5133705-a1a9-437f-a4c8-c6a40d9b4407Post:c47a6530-bcc5-4670-a26d-4f1dbb80ad49">Re: I'm gonna be that girl</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm gonna be that girl : Seriously.  Clarisonic.  Trust Mel.  Mel is wise and has clear skin for the first time since Thing 2 was born. 
Posted by The Mel and Todd Show[/QUOTE]
I totally trust you. Send me $200.

The Mel and Todd Show

Mica, I wouldn't take the opinion of the acutely psychotic patient to heart.  We don't think you're a quack, and it has yet to be proven if any of us are acutely psychotic.  I always forget you're a doctor.  Can I use you instead of WebMD going forward?  You have more sass.