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Acne And Pregnancy- Things You Should Know |
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All the romance novels and television movies make us
think we’re supposed to look dewy-faced when we’re pregnant. So why do
so many of us look pizza-faced instead? The culprit is the hormone
androgen. The level of androgen in a woman’s body increases while she is
pregnant, and this increases the risk of acne during pregnancy. If you
experienced breakouts during your menstrual periods, you are especially
likely to become the victim of acne during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, the standard treatments, including Retin-A,
Tetracycline, and Accutane, are not options for pregnant women due to
the risk of harming the fetus. Accutane, especially, has been linked to
birth defects, and tetracycline may cause problems with the baby’s bones
and teeth. Retin-A has not been linked specifically to any fetal
problems, but doctors do know that around 10% of Retin-A crosses the
placenta to reach the fetus.
With the most recent treatments considered unsafe for pregnant women,
women who suffer acne during pregnancy must consider more old-fashioned methods
of treatment.
You might think sweating would be the last thing you want to do, but
surprisingly, regular exercise can help reduce acne during pregnancy.
Exercise will help decrease your level of stress. Being stressed out can
make acne worse. Exercise will also improve the blood flow throughout
your body which will make all of your skin healthier.
Another way to decrease breakouts is to watch what you eat. Fried foods and
excessive sweets have been linked to blemishes. Eating fresh fruits and
vegetables can help improve your acne during pregnancy.
You should wash your face at least twice a day. Use a mild, oil-free soap,
and don’t scrub with a washcloth. Using a harsh soap and scrubbing at
your skin will strip away the natural oil, sending the message to your
glands to produce more. When you wash, use your hands or an
oil-absorbing cloth to cleanse your skin. Then pat your skin dry and use
an oil-free moisturizer.
If you make sure it is make-up, make sure it is not oil based. Be sure to
wash it off before bedtime. Excessive make-up can cause acne during pregnancy.
Finally, don’t squeeze or pop pimples. This will only lead to scarring.
Also, try to avoid touching the pimples and then touching other areas of your face,
as this could cause acne during pregnancy to spread.
If your skin problems become too uncomfortable, speak with your doctor. You may want
to consult with a dermatologist, but you should make sure the
dermatologist knows you are pregnant. Just to be safe, consult with your
ob-gyn before taking any medications for acne during pregnancy
prescribed by another doctor.
Pimples while you are pregnant can make you feel self-conscious just when you
want to open up to the world and enjoy it the most. Luckily, most acne during pregnancy starts to
resolve by the end of the first trimester. Skin problems are usually far
less of an issue later in pregnancy.
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