Skin Care
The ABCs of AcneEverything you need to know about the causes of and treatments for acne, your most mystifying skin issue |
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"Fluctuating hormones for the week before and during a woman's period can wreak havoc on the skin due to increased acne," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. "Birth control pills stabilize the levels of hormones throughout the month so you don't get the wild ups and downs; therefore, it helps avoid breakouts.
Your Rx: If you see a correlation between the onset of your period and when pimples crop up, talk to your doctor. Only three pills are FDA-approved to treat breakouts -- Yaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostep -- but many more, like Alesse, have been clinically shown to improve acne.
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