Extremely oily skin

[Rob]

I have extremely oily skin on my face and scalp.  Even my ears get very oily.  After showering, it only takes about two hours before it becomes a problem again.



Is there anything that would help dry up the sebacious glands?  I've looked into Accutane, which I think would do that, but the side effects look worse than the problem.



Thanks,



Rob

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Rob:



There is no safe way to shut off oil glands.  Accuatne does this only while you take it, and you can't keep taking it.  Large doses of female hormones would also suppress oil production, but I doubt whether that's what you have in mind either.



Frequent washing and application of an astringent are what there is.  There are tons available over the counter, a testament to how many people hate oil, even though oil production is a normal human function.



Best.



Dr. R

[Beckie]

Rob...

I have had the same problem as you and HAVE found

something that works.  Washing my face every hour

or so was never a practical option for me...

Ask your dermatologist about spironolactone.  It's

a diuretic, but its side effect is calming down your

oil glands.  I take between 5o and 75 MG, and it's the

only thing that has had some effect.  

Hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.