5 Things You Need to Know About Ortho Tri-Cyclen And Acne

1. Acne Weapon

People with acne who've tried almost everything on the market to clear up the skin condition now have another weapon in the fight for clear skin. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is an FDA-approved birth control pill with the side benefit of acne control or prevention. Ortho Tri-Cyclen works with hormones, and since many acne breakouts come from hormonal imbalance, this birth control pill offers hope for people with acne prone skin. When hormones are out of whack, the body produces more oil and sweat that clog pores and produce breakouts. Hormones also cause skin to be more sensitive and inflame easier, so minor breakouts become major over night. When hormones are in check, breakouts occur less often and aren't as severe.

2. Scary Side Effects

Since Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a birth control pill, it has some of the same negative side effects as any other hormone altering drug, even when taken for acne control. Birth control pills increase the risk of cancer especially in women who smoke. People with high blood pressure are at greater risk of blood clots and strokes when on the pill, and weight gain is often associated with birth control pills. So, it's important to consider carefully before using birth control as an option for acne prevention. The risk may far outweigh the benefits in your particular case. It's also important to remember that no birth control pill is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy and birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

3. Less Invasive

Of course there are many methods of treating and preventing acne without going to the extreme of a birth control pill. However, if you and your dermatologist have exhausted all other methods and you still suffer from acne, the pill may be the right answer for you. Of course Ortho Tri-Cyclen won't replace gentle cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Good hygiene is still the best defense against acne breakouts.

4. In the Mood

One of the down sides of using Ortho Tri-Cyclen, as with any hormone therapy, is the potential for mood swings and depression. Since acne usually comes on in the early teen years, this increases the risk for these symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you're taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne control and experience any signs of increased emotional instability.

5. Back-Fire

Since Ortho Tri-Cyclen works with hormones, it's hard to predict what affect it will have on each individual. In some cases hormone therapy actually causes breakouts. If you try Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne and see any increase in breakouts or skin problems, call your doctor.