Antidepressants are an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, but one of their side effects is that they can cause acne. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re considering taking an antidepressant. When you have depression and acne, it can feel like the two are impossible to separate. But you don’t have to settle for feeling depressed and having acne. You can get a prescription that works for you without the side effects.
Some antidepressants can cause acne breakouts on your face and body, making them difficult to use if you have sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea that make you more susceptible to acne. However, some antidepressants do not cause acne. If you take one of these medications and develop new pimples or existing ones get worse, talk to your doctor so they can help you find another medication that works better for you.
This article discusses what causes acne, the different kinds of acne treatments, and which antidepressants don’t cause acne.
What Causes Acne When Taking Antidepressants?
The causes of acne when taking antidepressants will vary, but there are some common culprits.
The common side effect of taking antidepressants is dry skin, but in some people, it causes acne. This is due to the way that antidepressants affect hormones. Hormones control how oil glands produce sebum, a natural oil that lubricates our skin. When the body produces excess sebum, it can clog pores and make them inflamed. This inflammation can lead to pimples or cysts on the face.
The severity of the acne depends on the type of antidepressant you are taking and how long you have been taking it. Some people experience mild breakouts after starting an antidepressant; others may have more severe outbreaks requiring antibiotic treatment or other medications.
Another cause of acne when taking antidepressants is stress. Stress can cause the body to produce excess oil and hormones, which lead to acne breakouts.
Some antidepressants that are commonly known for causing acne include Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Paxil (paroxetine).
What are the Antidepressants That Don’t Cause Acne?
There is no specific answer to this question since different acne treatment work differently on other people. However, your dermatologist can help you determine which antidepressant may not cause acne on you.
Most people who take antidepressants do not experience acne. However, you should be aware of this potential side effect to make informed choices about your treatment options.
If you develop a pimple after treatment, it could be caused by the treatment. If you don’t, then the antidepressant does not cause acne on you but not necessarily on everyone. To determine whether an antidepressant causes acne or not, you will need to consult your doctor.
Different Kinds of Acne Treatments
Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people. Its caused by various factors, including hormones and genetics, and can be triggered by stress, diet, antidepressant, and environmental factors.
Many acne treatments are available, but only some are suitable for everyone. If you’re looking for ways to clear up your skin, here are some of your options:
Topical Treatments
The use of topical treatments is common in acne treatments. They include creams, gels, and lotions that help keep oil glands under control by drying out excess oil. These products often contain retinoids, which help reduce inflammation and cell turnover while unclogging pores. You can use these on their own or with other treatments, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Oral Treatments
Oral medications like antibiotics, oral Isotretinoin, and birth control pills help treat acne by killing bacteria on the skin’s surface. These treatments are taken orally and work by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria on the skin’s surface. Oral antibiotics may also reduce inflammation caused by acne lesions by decreasing redness and swelling around pimples.
Different Antidepressant Treatments
Several factors determine whether the antidepressant you take causes acne or not. You should consult your doctor before buying any antidepressant, especially if your skin is prone to breakouts.
The antidepressant treatments include;
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
These include drugs like Prozac, Lexapro, and Paxil. They help to increase the amount of serotonin in your brain.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)
These drugs tend to cause fewer side effects than SSRIs and work better for people with anxiety disorders and depression.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
They work differently from these two. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are typical antidepressants and dopamine agonists.
Common antidepressants drugs include
● Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
● Mirtazapine (Remeron)
● Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
● Venlafaxine (Effexor)
● Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
● Lexapro (escitalopram)
● Zoloft (sertraline)
● Prozac (fluoxetine)
When choosing an antidepressant that best suits your needs, you should first consult your dermatologist before consulting your psychiatrist. What works for someone else may not work for you; therefore, you can’t tell which antidepressant does not cause acne entirely.
