| There are a lot of different medications you can use | | | | Will it work for you? |
| to fight acne. One common choice for women is birth | | | | Female hormones can be really unstable for those |
| control or "the pill". This method can be used for | | | | first few years following the onset of puberty. For |
| teenage girls as well as adult women, but men should | | | | teenage girls experiencing a moderate or severe |
| never take birth control pills for any reason. Those | | | | acne breakouts, using the pill for acne can be a good |
| female hormones are really not good for the male | | | | treatment. This can help calm the raging hormones |
| system and will do a lot more harm than good. | | | | and thus help clear the skin. Grown women often find |
| If you are female, this method of acne control can | | | | that clearer skin is an unintended result of using the |
| seem like a miracle cure. If your acne is bad enough | | | | pill, even if they are using it primarily as birth control. |
| that you need acne medication, the pill is a really | | | | What are the side effects? |
| good choice. Chances are you would not be able to | | | | If you use them correctly, the effects are minimal. |
| take the stronger acne medication along with the pill | | | | Follow your doctor's advice and always take the |
| anyway. | | | | recommended dosage. There may be mild side |
| How does it work? | | | | effects such as increased weight, irregular bleeding or |
| Teenage and adult females will likely experience acne | | | | nausea. If more serious symptoms occur, seek |
| outbreaks right before menstruation. Teens will find | | | | medical attention immediately. |
| this especially true because of the changes in | | | | What should I watch for? |
| hormones. Using the pill for acne evens out those | | | | If you are using birth control pills for pregnancy |
| peaks and valleys of surging hormones. When the | | | | protection and your doctor prescribes antibiotics, you |
| hormones are regulated by using birth control for | | | | will want to add another method of birth control. The |
| acne, the acne breakouts will likely be fewer and less | | | | pill will help manage your skin, but can fail as |
| severe. | | | | pregnancy prevention if you are using antibiotics. |