Acne and Pregnancy

This article will inform you about Acne and Pregnancy. We will discuss the causes, treatments and more.

Pregnancy can have a great effect on your skin. Most expectant women will have a beautiful and glowing skin during this time, but not all women are this fortunate. Acne will usually start showing within the first trimester (1 to 3 months) of your pregnancy because this is the time that a steep rise in hormone level occurs. Good news is that most women's skin problems clear after pregnancy or some may start to clear up as their pregnancy progresses.

The most general underlying cause of acne is hormones. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels can bring a variety of skin changes, including acne inflammations. Acne is formed by an increase in the amount of sebum that is being produced. The access sebum then fills the glands and acne is formed. Women have the highest hormonal activity in the time of pregnancy and it can not be treated by using acne medications such as Retin-A, Accutane, or Tetracycline.

Only a few acne treatments have been approved as safe for pregnant women and most medications should be avoided, especially oral medications as these can have harmful effects on the fetus or result in birth defects. A doctor should always be consulted before taking any medication in the time of pregnancy. Topical medications like Azelaic acid or Benzoyl peroxide is usually prescribed by doctors for severe pregnancy acne. The use of topical acne cream during pregnancy may reduce outbreaks and keep your skin toned as well. You may be able to find a topical acne cream with the help of your doctor or pharmacist that will help to shrink acne blemishes.

Beware of herbal remedies.. It is not always safe only because it is herbal; some herbal supplements can be very powerful or even harmful. Natural remedies should rather be considered. Citric fruits, especially lemon, are known to be good natural exfoliates. The juice of a freshly squeezed lemon could be applied with a soaked cotton ball and rinsed with cold water after 10 minutes. It could also be mixed into a paste by adding ground cinnamon and applying that to the acne affected area. You can also try rubbing beaten egg white, ice or half a garlic clove on the area and find the remedy that works best for you. Tea tree or Lavender oils will also help to reduce itchiness and redness.

Prenatal vitamins can really help you to stay skin healthy since your baby takes up most of the nutrients from the food you eat. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, they will not only help to detoxify, but also help to keep your digestive system in good working order. Avoid unhealthy, fatty foods, sugar or refined carbohydrates because oil and spices can worsen your acne as well as your heartburn.

Nothing does detoxification better than water. Water will help to flush away toxins and bacteria that triggers acne, therefor you should try to drink 8 to 10 glasses per day. General healthy eating habits will help you solve or prevent acne problems and also gives the unborn baby some ample nourishment.

Exercise is also very important during pregnancy and could help you to control your acne by reducing stress and increasing your blood circulation. Remember to protect your skin and beware of exposing it to too much heat, cold or direct sunlight. Clothing should not be too tight-fitting as it will trap sweat against your skin. After exercising, facial cleansing should be done with a mild cleanser. Facial cleansing should be done twice daily, especially in the summer time when your skin tends to be more sweaty or oily.

The last thing you want to think about during your pregnancy is acne scars. If pimples and acne start to appear, never squeeze, scratch, pick or pop them as this will only make your chances of scarring worse and it can make the infection spread.

Fighting acne during pregnancy can seem very challenging but it does not have to be if you take care of skin daily. Being pregnant is a beautiful thing and your skin should and can also look brilliant and glowing with only a little effort. Do not let Acne and Pregnancy affect your life in a negative way!