Should my teen daughter take BC for acne

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Should my teen daughter take BC for acne
4
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 12:06am
I'm concerned because my daughter is taking birth control for minor acne. Is this the recommended treatment for acne? Please advise
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 12:58am
Hi fatherof3girls, welcome!

Hormonal contraceptives can be an effective treatment for acne. See: http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/womens/qas/0,,166936_153929,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=3

Some pills work wonders for some women and other pills can make things worse so it could be a bit of trial and error if the first one she tries doesn’t work as well as intended. BCPs are a rather common treatment for acne but how appropriate they are for your daughter can best be answered by her dermatologist. I hope the pills clear up her skin. Thanks for posting.

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2004
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 10:12am
It can definitely be beneficial for acne, but I think if she doesn't need it for birth control a better choice might be spironolactone.


CL for Acne

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 2:06pm
I just had to reply to this. I don't want to get your daughter in trouble,it's just an idea. Your daughter could very well be taking BC just for acne, but being a teenager myself (18) when I first started having sex I gave my mom some lame excuse for needing the pill just so I didn't have to out right say that I was having sex. So if your daughter believes she needs the pill for acne, it's just my opinion, but I would say let her because most kids no matter how close thay are to a parent are not going to tell them they are having sex. And even if she really isn't having sex, its bound to happen sooner or later. At least you know she is protected now. Like I said this is just my opinion.

Cassie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 3:01pm
Hi there - you know it really depends on the person. I'm in my mid twenties, and never wanted to be on any type of birth control for any reason (didn't like the idea of a pill controlling my monthly cycle you know?)

Anyways, after a while I decided to go for it (for birth control purposes).

Surprise surprise - it helped my skin a LOT after about three months. I didn't expect that at all. Being in my mid twenties, I figured my acne was just staying around, but it looks like it's been hormonal all this time (or at least a great contributor to it has been hormonal).

That is perfectly reasonable that she is taking it for her face.