Being pregnant is usually a time when a woman feels her best; the hormones are zipping around the body, the skin looks flushed and healthy, hair looks shiny and thick. People tell you that you look radiant, that you are glowing and that being pregnant suits you. You look in the mirror and you agree.
Unless you get struck by acne, that is. Unfortunately, pregnancy can sometimes cause acne to appear when you've never had it before or make it worse (if you already had it in the first place). This is definitely not the glowing picture of mommmy-to-be that you had in mind, right?
The reason that acne can sometimes get triggered during pregnancy is due to higher levels of androgens (hormones) which boost oil production. So now you have a case of extra sebum (oil) plus the dead skin cells that are always getting shed and bang! You have a situation ripe for clogging pores and
encouraging bacteria to breed freely. As a result of this the skin becomes inflamed and acne erupts.
Now, ordinarily, you could seek out antibiotics and medicated skin lotions and potions in an effort to control the acne. But being pregnant means you have to watch what you eat and be careful about substances that you rub into your skin (which are then absorbed into your blood stream). You have to ensure that you are not putting the life of your unborn baby at risk. This makes it difficult for you to tackle your acne attack head on.
Usually acne can be treated through the use of prescription drugs such as Retin-A, Tetracycline and Accutane but these are not recommended to be used by pregnant women for the following reasons:
Retin-A is a cream that is usually applied to the skin. It is also known as tretinoin and is known to cause abnormalities in the devoloping fetus. The danger even though it is applied to the skin is that it will be absorbed into the bloodstream and there is a risk that it could reach the fetus in the womb.
Tetracycline is an antibiotic and should not be taken even if you are intending to become pregnant. It is known to cause damage to the developing teeth and bones of the fetus.
Accutane is a precribed medication that is taken orally; its generic name is isotretinoin. This also causes abnormalities in the developing fetus. Studies have shown that more than a quarter of the infants born to those women who were using Accutane during the first trimester of pregnancy had birth defects.
These ranged from heart defects, craniofacial defects and defects relating to the central nervous system. Researchers also found an elevated risk or miscarriage in women taking Accutane whilst pregnant.
However, fear not. It is possible to find safe, effective and proven acne treatments to get you out of your misery. Antibiotic creams that contain clindamycin or erythromycin are perfect to use whilst pregnant.
Even if you can't eradicate your acne completely whilst pregnant, you can still do a number of things that will help keep it in check. Keep your face clean and bacteria free as much as possible. Use a mild gentle soap or cleanser and use an oil-free moisturiser. Don't squeeze or rub your pimples and keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
If you have severe acne then consult with a doctor or midwife and they may be able to advise you of a safer alternative to antibiotics.
Kimberly Banks is a successful writer and publisher of Acne-Free-Clinic.com. Her website offers advice on acne treatment, acne laser surgery, controlling acne and acne scar removal. | |
