Last year (40th) I decided to have a last ditch attempt at sorting out my acne. While my forehead and nose remained clear, my chin and jawline had acne like I had never seen. Because some oral birth control pills also treat acne, your provider may recommend using both spironolactone and an oral birth control pill together as a highly effective acne treatment, while also preventing pregnancy. Unfortunately, these medications may not fix the problem for weeks or months. This was almost exactly one year ago. 1. I first started experiencing hormonal acne when I was 22 years old (28 now) and tried lots of things but finally found spironolactone and found it to be REALLY helpful in clearing my skinfor about a year and a half and then I started getting more and more breakthrough acne. Individual results vary. Spironolactone isnt a cure for acne, but many people experience improvement in acne while taking this medication. Ibid. Surely enough my hair started shedding really bad after one or two weeks of taking this medication. After 6 months I went down to 150, then another 6 months down to 100, which is the dosage I still take 2 years later. I started seeing improvements in my skin within the first week, then the painful spots on my neck that would stay for months started to just go away. The information on RealSelf is intended for educational purposes only. It feels like I"m in a perpetual state of PMS. "If you stop taking the medication, your oil glands will become hormone responsive again, and pimples may recur," says Dr. Patel (Dr. Nakhla says that hormonal acne has a tendency to burn itself out, though). Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. Spironolactone and Acne: What It Is, Why Its Bad, And Why DIM Is Better, Unwanted hair growth in women (hirsutism). (6) Were looking forward to more studies! See before-and-after photos of using spironolactone for acne here. People who may become pregnant are strongly advised to usecontraceptionwhile taking spironolactone. I talked to my dermatologist about this, she continued to say "I've never heard that side effect from a patient so it's probably something else." Brand names: Among 85 women who took the drug, one third had a total clearing of their acne, and one third experienced noticeable results. My acne is mild but it causes depression and emotional problems for me. Don't give up. How Long Until Results from Spironolactone (Aldactone) Can Be Seen and when will the Skin Start to Clear Up? I realize Spiro takes 2-3 months to show improvement, but is it normal/expected for my acne to become so much worse? The reason that treating hormonal acne with spironolactone has gone under the radar is that it's actually an off-label use for the drug. I didn't have any underlying conditions and haven't had any traumatizing life events that would cause hair loss. I started taking Spironolatone a little over a week ago and have noticed that my face is I believe you're also supposed to watch your potassium intake while on the drug or else you can get some really nasty side effects. I've only gotten 2 small cysts the past 3 months and a few smaller spots so it's definitely gotten better but not worse. Spironolactone works by blocking aldosterone activity. off-label treatment of Acne. Does anyone have experience using both of these together? After 7-8 months on Spiro, my face is completely clear! No other side effects. I had flawless skin. "Most women should expect it to take around 3 months for the benefits to start showing. Subscription is required. Zaenglein, A. L., et al. Oral spironolactone can have adverse side effects in men. I've been on Accutane four or five times, and while my skin always did really well for the few months I was on it, sometime afterward I'd begin to get regular breakouts. Weve got emergencies covered with this patch thats so low-profile, you can wear it out and about during the day. Ive experienced huge anxiety to the point where I didnt know what do to and how to calm myself down. my skin did get worse before it got better. But the majority of acne treatments take at least three months of consistent use to see improvement. Its typically between 25mg and 200mg, but the dosage depends on the person, the severity of their acne, and a variety of other factors. Truly a LIFESAVER medicine. Ormicellar water. My acne was primarily located on my jaw line, chin and far sides of my cheeks. Took approx. Spironolactone can only be obtained through a prescription from a licensed medical provider (including your Curology dermatology provider!). My doctor reassured me that Spironolactone doesn't cause hair loss and recommended to continue the treatment. Weight has dropped 10lbs with no lifestyle changes. Your dermatologist or doctor will likely conduct a medical screen to ensure hormonal therapy for acne, like spironolactone, is safe for you. Your Acne Can Come Back If You Stop Taking Spironolactone, I Took Blood Pressure Medication for My Acne and It Worked, The 10 Best Back Acne Treatments of 2023 for Clearer Skin, How to Treat Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Derms, What No One Tells You About Freezing Your Eggs At 38, The 15 Best Acne Treatments for Every Type of Spot, The Best Skincare Routine for Acne, According to Dermatologists, How to Take Care of Your Skin and Mind While on Accutane and After, How My IUD Made My Skin the Best It's Ever Been, Actually, Weed Can Be Great for Your Libido, 4 Under-the-Radar Acne-Fighting Ingredients That Aren't Benzoyl Peroxide, Here's What Young Women Should Take Away from Hailey Bieber's "Mini Stroke", This Under-the-Radar Supplement Is a Natural Alternative to Hormonal Acne Treatments, Why Birth Control Cleanses Are So Popular Right Now. Can I expect it to get worse before it gets better? Both men and women create androgens (thats hormones like testosterone). Ibid. This has however all settled down. My skin is flawless, and all the insecurities I had about my skin--being anxious around the time of my period in anticipation of a breakout, not wanting to leave the house without makeup--are GONE. I have stopped seeing this doctor. Works as an anti-androgen or hormone Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology. In smaller doses, however, it's useful to women who deal with always recurring monthly breakouts, explains Dr. Nakhla. Spiro didn't make my skin worse before it got better - it just very slowly made things better. Other than frequently having to go to the bathroom (it's a diuretic), I've experienced no side effects. Androgen hormones are sometimes referred to as male hormones, but we all have them in our bodies in different amounts, as they play an important role in puberty and reproductive health. I am in my mid-twenties and began having hormonal acne and very oily skin this past year. Everything You Need to Know About Acne Scars! 63% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience. Zaenglein, A. L., e. al. Aldactone gives me predictably clear skin, I can take it indefinitely, AND it's cheap. It literally went from controllable to a disaster. Policy, Maybe youre thinking you need to amp up yourskin care routinewith a new cleanser. ", Spironolactone comes in the form of tablets, but if you find swallowing pills difficult, Dr Kluk has a trick up her sleeve. Hormonal acne usually appears around the cheeks and jawline (though it can appear just about anywhere you get breakouts). Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. I typically see results from spironolactone in two months, but it can take longer to get the full effect. I would constantly get deep, painful cysts that itched. ", "I was put on Spiro for acne. But what I haven't dealt with is spotting, which is a common side effect of spironolactone. I always recommend to anyone who isnt satisfied with their acne or with any other skin condition, its never too early to talk to a healthcare provider. Spironolactone has recently become available as a topical cream, which may be an option for certain people. Spironolactone lowers blood pressure by acting on specific hormones in the body. 2023Well+Good LLC. International journal of women's dermatology. Is it right for you? Spironolactone is also used off-label to treat hormonal acne.(2). Too much spironolactone can cause the potassium levels in your blood to become too high. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Please find yourself an amazing doctor to help you if the one you are going to isn't working out. As anti-androgens block the effects of excess male hormones, Spironolactone is often prescribed to PCOS sufferers struggling with acne. Loss of electrolytes can occur due to its diuretic function. Youll receive your personalized prescription formula delivered right to your door, and you can cancel or edit your subscription at any time. I was devastated. (Lucky me, right?). I know everyone's experiences will not be the same, but if you're one the fence about taking it, I would at least try it. Am I purging? "Theoretically it can cause birth defects, so you should use contraception if you are on it," says Dr. Zeichner. ", "I started getting hormonal acne my freshman year of college. But there is spironolactone, a diuretic that can be used to treat the hormonal component of breakouts. Curology was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Plus, our licensed dermatology providers are available to answer any skincare questions you have! One natural alternative for treating hormonal acne which has been getting superb results is DIM (diindolylmethane), which occurs naturally in cruciferous vegetables. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. All Rights Reserved. My skin freaked out at first, with breakouts bubbling up all over, and then it cleared. And that is how the miracle is performed. For those of you who have dealt with the purging and now into the light at the end of the tunnel, did you use anything or do anything to help at least calm the purging process? WebIs it normal for acne to get worse before getting better with Spironolatone? When I asked Dr. Zeichner about this, he said that it's possible to experience mild breakouts after being on spironolactone for a year. The skin benefits of spironolactoneIt helps treat acne caused by hormonesincluding on the face, chest, and back. (8)No purging! Acne does not tend to get worse before it gets better.Its available in oral and topical forms (although the oral form is currently better studied).Its an alternative to antibiotic acne treatments and isotretinoin (aka. Accutane). As with many acne treatments, results tend to vary from person to person. Things you Goal number one? Two months later my cystic acne improved but my hair started falling out really bad. Spironolactone has been used for decades to treat high blood pressure. Some of these had temporary benefits. ", "Spironolactone cannot be used if you are pregnant, or in the process of trying to conceive. I rarely ever get anxiety or stressed, so Im pretty sure that Spirolactone was what caused it because Ive never ever felt something similar to this. Accutane). He was right! Get tips on what causes acne and how to prevent it. ", But, it's nothing to be concerned about, as Dr Kluk explains. If youre experiencing a medical issue, please contact a healthcare professional or dial 911 immediately. "It was originally used as a blood pressure medicine because it's a diuretic and when you pee more your blood pressure goes down. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. I do not want to give up so quickly, but was getting very discouraged. Hair on legs/arms grows more slowly. (11), Spironolactone is pregnancy category C, which means that risks cannot be ruled out. TheAmerican Academy of Dermatology(AAD) states that spironolactone has been shown to reduce acne by 50% to 100%. First month consisted of a nasty initial breakout, but following that, I saw gradual improvement and am 100% clear for the first time in my adult life. However, I decided to stick it out. Ta-da! I was told improvement will likely occur after about three months of taking them. I started back on the combi birth control Loreyna (generic for Yaz) andsheprescribed spironolactone/dapsone cream for AM & Tretioin for PM. 30 Second Acne Quiz: Your First Step Towards Clear Skin, Acne & Acne Scar Treatments at Clear Clinic, Fly in For Clear Skin ON HOLD due to COVID-19, Clear Clinic Acne & Acne Scar Treatment Centers, Why Acne Gets Worse Before It Gets Better. How to calm myself down ( thats hormones like testosterone ), and it! This patch thats so low-profile, you can cancel or edit your subscription at any time patch thats low-profile... And women create androgens ( thats hormones like testosterone ) Curology was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher MD. ) andsheprescribed spironolactone/dapsone cream for am & Tretioin for PM Theoretically it can take longer to worse... Full effect of breakouts doctor reassured me that spironolactone has gone under the radar is that 's..., '' says Dr. Zeichner on the face, chest, and you can wear it out about. 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