Often, one of the first steps to take to try to alleviate acne is to try medications. There are a variety of things you can choose from, including natural, homeopathic pills, birth control pills and antibiotics, to name a few. For some acne sufferers, pills for acne seem to work wonders, although some skeptics claim this may simply be a placebo effect. For others, it may be finding the right kind of pill or just another method altogether.
How Pills Work for Acne
The belief behind how pills work for acne is that this approach begins the fight against blemishes from the inside out. There are some pills, over the counter types that use a combination of vitamins to try to remedy acne. Others suggest they may be able to control oil or detoxify the body. Birth control pills for women acne patients, however, regulate the hormones to cause a balance and prevent breakouts.
For antibiotics, it is a matter of attempting to kill off or decrease the amount of bacteria that exists in or around the follicle. Antibiotics may also lower the number of fatty acids present in the oil gland and decrease the inflammation likelihood. In addition, antibiotics may lower the level of chemicals produced by white blood cells.
Who Could Benefit?
The best thing to do is speak with your doctor to get an idea of your options. By reviewing your medical history, allergies and severity of acne, you can decide together whether pills may be suitable for you. Each type of pill has its own unique pros and cons.
With homeopathic pills, there is always concern about using something you may react to without prior knowledge. For birth control pills, it simply depends on your age, current health and whether or not you smoke. For antibiotics, as long as you do not have allergies, you should be able to try it, but not for a long-term session as your body can build immunity.
What about the Side Effects?
The side effects associated with each can vary greatly. So, it mostly depends on which type of pill you decide to take. There are too many side effects to list here that could occur from individual natural or over the counter pills. When buying this type online or in person, read the indications for possible side effects and decide on one that has fewer possible complications. You can also look at online reviews to see if users report side effects you should be aware of.
For the birth control pill, again, this can vary depending on the manufacturer and the individual taking the pills. Side effects from birth control pills can include weight gain and blood clots for those women who are of a certain age or are smokers.
Even antibiotics come in different types. Some of the common ones used for treating acne include tetraycycline, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline and clindamycin. The effects that may result range from sensitivity to the sun, to dizziness and nausea to serious intestinal infections.
Products Available
For birth control or antibiotics, your best bet is to let your doctor decide which would be best suited for you. By taking your health, allergies, type of breakouts and other factors into account, he or she can help guide you in the right direction. For over the counter acne pills, you will want to look for one that seems to promise to work with what you are struggling with the most.
There are some popular products on the acne pill market, today.
- The ClearZine Acne Solution is a pill that claims to help with blotchiness, redness, blackheads and zits. With a reported 98% success rate, it also promises to clear skin naturally and help prevent future problems.
- Another favorite acne pill is the Acnetame pill, offering the strongest non-prescription pill on the market.
- For a more natural approach, though, some people would rather stick with zinc. Good ‘N Natural makes a product called Zinc for Acne, and many users swear by it. Designed to be taken as a supplement, this includes vitamins C, B-6, A and E.
Whatever method you choose, just be certain to monitor your own health for possible side effects. If you notice any, report these to your doctor to determine whether you should discontinue use.