Effects of Birth Control Pills on the Skin.
Effects of Birth Control Pills on the Skin
Birth control pills work by regulating hormones normally associated with the menstrual cycle.
They interfere with the normal development of the ovum by preventing or obstructing ovulation.
There are two basic types of birth control pills.
- One type contains both oestrogen and progesterone and works by preventing the egg from maturing, therefore preventing ovulation.
- The other type is mainly progesterone.
These are often called mini-pills.
They work by exposing the bloodstream to extra amounts of progesterone, which causes thickening of the uterine fluids and thus keeps the egg from becoming fertile.
A skin problem often associated with the use of birth control pills is the tendency to have acne flare-ups.
- This does not occur in all women using birth control pills, but it does occur in a substantial number.
- Aestheticians commonly see acne flares in patients who have just started using a new type of birth control pill.
- The hormones in the pills change normal hormone levels, affecting sebum production.
- Birth control pills that contain little or no oestrogen tend to be more aggravating to acne conditions.
- Oestrogen-dominant pills tend to improve acne-prone skin.
Birth control pills with high levels of hormones often cause very frequent acne flares.
- More modern birth control pills contain smaller amounts of hormones and do not cause as many problems with acne flares.
- Starting and stopping birth control pills may dramatically affect acne.
- Starting an androgen-dominant or progesterone-dominant pill may make acne immediately worse, whereas starting an oestrogen-dominant pill may make acne-prone skin immediately better.
- Stopping the pill may have similar effects.
- Because the pill tends to suppress natural hormone levels, discontinuing the pill may throw off natural hormone levels, making acne worse.
- It may take some time for the body to adjust to not having the hormone “supplement” present in the birth control pills.
- Some women take much longer to adjust.
Hyperpigmentation and the Birth Control Pill
- The other appearance problem related to birth control pills is that of hyperpigmentation or melasma.
- Splotchy, pigmented complexions may be present after the use of birth control pills.
- This hyperpigmentation is usually located on the forehead and cheeks.
- The upper lip is also often affected by melasma.
- Some women can develop a full-scale pregnancy mask associated with birth control pills.
- Sunlight, especially deliberate exposure such as sunbathing, can make melasma much worse.
Advise a client with melasma to stay out of the sun.
- If she must go in the sun, recommend the use of a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Sometimes the doctor can adjust the dosage or the type of pill to reduce the possibility of melasma resulting from its use.
- You should treat hyperpigmentation with hydroquinone and glycolic acid.
- Prescription topical drugs specifically designed to treat melasma are also available.
- One of these is Triluma, which is a topical combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A®), and a steroid.
- This combination has proven effective in many cases of melasma.
