16-17 / 258
Welcome to pregnancy, where hormones rule and your skin
thinks it’s back in high school. Acne is the top skincare issue
during pregnancy and is the number one reason why many
mamas-to-be find themselves back at the dermatologist’s office.
You may be tempted to pick and prod at your new smattering of
spots, but put your fingers down and step away from the mirror
asap. By performing bathroom surgery, you’ll only do more harm
than good, and possibly leave scars that will last way beyond
your baby’s first birthday.
First it’s important to know what not to use on your spots during
pregnancy. The avoid-while-pregnant list includes salicylic acid,
benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin A. These ingredients are widely
found in many over the counter skincare products and have
been shown to present a possible risk for the baby in your belly.
The oral acne drug Accutane (isotretinoin) , which is a derivative
of vitamin A, is known to cause birth defects and should never
be used during pregnancy or when trying to conceive. Thankfully
there are several options to safely clear pimples during pregnancy,
depending on what type of acne you have.
My skin is freaking out. What can I use to
help the spots that have cropped up on
both my face and body? And can I still
treat my acne while I’m pregnant?
Some safe methods of removing blackheads and whiteheads
include extractions (done at the hands of a beautician or
dermatology provider) but for the more inflammatory spots, a trip
to the dermatology clinic will yield the best results. You can safely
get in-office blue-red light treatments or ask your dermatologist
for a pregnancy-safe prescription.
For an over-the-counter remedy, look for acne-fighting products
that contain sulphur, lactic acid or tea tree oil to help clear out
pores and get rid of your spots. While hormones tend to be at
the root of your new acne issues, make sure to change your
pillowcases, and rub down your mobile phone with an alcohol
swab to avoid getting oils and bacteria on your face. Now is the
time to splurge on a good concealer. Once baby arrives you can
use that same concealer to cover up the dark circles under your
sleep deprived eyes (you can thank me later! ) .
“
We lcome to pr egnancy
,
wh er e
hormon es ru l e and your skin thinks
it
’
s back in high schoo l
”