Dermatologist Explains: The Benefits of Oral Medications Vs. Topical

When it comes to taking oral medications and using topical medications to treat specific skin conditions, the question arises of “Which one works better?” The truth is that both forms of treatment are proven to be very effective in treating skin conditions, however; their overall effectiveness highly depends on the patient. One thing that patients may consider when deciding between oral or topical medication is possible side effects. While those using a topical treatment may be less likely to see systemic side effects, they may be more susceptible to side effects such as rash or irritation from applying the product directly to the skin. Of course, with helpful advice and guidance from your assigned dermatologist and the eNurse app, one can successfully avoid side effects altogether. Then the most important question when it comes to choosing a form of medication is, “which one is best for me?” Here’s some advice from Board Certified dermatologist and Chief Science Officer at Musely, Dr. Brandon Kirsch:

Benefits of Topical and Oral Medications

When choosing the form of treatment that’s best for you, it’s important to consider factors that may have an effect on which treatment will be most suitable such as your lifestyle choices, the condition you are trying to treat, and why you may have developed that condition. According to Dr. Kirsch, if you are interested in taking an oral medication to treat a hair or skin condition it is important to note that “these conditions are often caused by or made worse by internal factors, such as hormonal imbalances. Addressing these underlying issues from the “inside out” is helpful in cases such as this.”

It is important to get a clear understanding of what your condition is and where it may have come from in order to find a solution that works best for you and your skin.

Dr. Kirsch always advises us to consider our current lifestyle and skincare routine as “most people find oral medications easier to use.” It is important to choose a form of medication that will fit into your personal routine.

According to Dr. Kirsch, other factors to keep in mind when deciding whether to prescribe a topical or oral treatment to a patient include the type of condition you have, its severity, risk of side effects and the patient’s overall health. “Ultimately, my goal is to find the best balance of impact and benefit for each individual patient.”

Hair Solution vs. Hair Pill

Dr. Kirsch says, “The Hair Solution and The Hair Pill work together to stimulate maximum hair growth, and they can also be used separately for impactful results depending on the needs and preferences of the patient.”

The Hair Pill consists of three formulas: Sprout, Bloom, and Growth containing Minoxidil, spironolactone and dutasteride to treat the underlying causes of hair loss while The Hair Solution contains additional ingredients such as Tretinoin and Ketoconazole which work with those ingredients to help treat the hair follicles and the scalp externally.

Which hair regrowth treatment is best for you? When deciding between treating hair loss with The Hair Pill or The Hair Solution, it is also important to keep in mind that The Hair Pill comes in one formula that contains dutasteride and another that contains spironolactone which both help defend your scalp from losing hair. Dutasteride should not be prescribed to women trying to have a baby and is better for post-menopausal women. The Hair Pill is formulated with dual action ingredients that help prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth. The Bloom formula is designed for women over the age of 45 and contains Minoxidil 1mg and Dutasteride 0.4mg. The Sprout formula contains Minoxidil 1mg and Spironolactone 60mg and is designed for women under 45.

The Hair Solution only comes in one formula for women which contains dutasteride. Women looking to change their treatment due to factors such as increasing age, can request a formula change on their account at any time or consult with their dermatologist to confirm which option is best for them.

Red Set vs. Rosacea Pill

If you struggle with rosacea then you understand just how difficult it can be to find products that work with your skin and not against it. Rosacea-prone skin is very sensitive to certain ingredients that may work for other types of skin, but are too harsh for yours.The Red Set is a treatment that includes a cleansing mask to help calm the sensitive skin and a topical cream applied after The Rosacea Mask to help reduce irritating symptoms.

Dr. Kirsch states, "The Red Set provides topical relief for the visible symptoms of rosacea, such as redness, pimples, and pustules. On the other hand, The Rosacea Pill is designed to help treat more severe cases of rosacea and targets the underlying causes of rosacea, including inflammation and microbial overgrowth, and helps to prevent flare-ups.”

The Red Set can be purchased separately for those who want to treat their rosacea externally or with The Rosacea Pill for those looking to treat more severe cases. Dr. Kirsch says that “when used together, they create a powerful approach to treatment.”

Spot Cream vs. Spot Pill

The Spot Peel is a treatment to be used one-time treatment designed to quickly get rid of dark spots on your face while The Spot Cream is a dark spot treatment that is intended to be used on a continual basis. Both are topical dark spot treatments, but The Spot Cream is designed to be implemented into a skincare routine to help keep your melasma and dark spots away by maintaining treatment. While using The Spot Peel is a great fast-acting solution, our dermatologists also recommend adding The Spot Cream to your skincare routine 7 days after using The Spot Peel to help maintain your results.

Dr. Kirsch states, “The Spot Cream and The Spot Peel are ideal for those looking for a topical solution for their hyperpigmentation.” The Spot Pill is an oral form of tranexamic acid and works well as a preventative treatment for those who experience hyperpigmentation or are more prone to it.

According to Dr. Kirsch,“The Spot Pill is a well-tolerated medication with a low risk of side effects, and has been proven to be beneficial in treating melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in numerous clinical studies.” For patients who have more stubborn cases of hyperpigmentation, are unresponsive to topical creams or just don’t want to complicate their current skincare regimen, This treatment can be combined with The Spot Cream or The Spot Peel to accelerate your transformation, or taken on its own as an oral alternative. Dr. Kirsch says, “It also works well for patients who are taking a break from some of the more potent formulations of The Spot Cream.”

Now, which option is right for you? Whether you are deciding between using The Spot Pill, The Spot Cream, or a combination of both, the choice really depends on your specific skin concerns and goals. According to Dr. Kirsch, “The most beneficial approach will vary from person to person.Your Musely dermatologist will be the best source to help you determine which treatment is right for your skin.”

Efficacy and Benefits When Used Together

Oftentimes, oral and topical medications actually work best when paired together as this can increase your chances of success. By doing this, you are allowing the active ingredients to double which can lead to more impactful results and speed up the process. This is also a great recommendation for anyone struggling with severe or stubborn conditions that just don’t seem to go away.

Dr. Kirsch says, “The combination of topical and oral medications provide a synergistic effect, amplifying the benefits of treatment for a variety of skin and hair conditions. While topical treatments can precisely address external symptoms, oral medications can target the underlying causes. When used together, they create an all-inclusive solution, leading to enhanced results.”

When choosing a treatment, it is important to get a clear understanding of your condition beforehand as this will help you better determine which treatments you should take to receive your desired results!