Some women are immediately identifiable as pregnant due to the fabled “glow” they get as soon as they conceive. But not all ladies are lucky enough to get the glow.
In fact, pregnancy acne can be a massive cause of concern for some. Due to a lot of hormonal changes in the body, pimples and acne usually sprout up on the face, causing much disappointment. Especially during the first 6 months of pregnancy, there is a rapid occurrence of pimple marks on the face. During this time there is an increase in the level of androgens which causes excessive oil and wax on the skin. Thus a lot of bacterial and fungal infections arise. Though these acne are temporary, they are disappointing to look at.
Also read, Everything you need to know about acne during pregnancy
So What Causes Acne During Pregnancy?
“Pregnancy acne is the same clinically as acne in non pregnant individuals. It may appear as comedones (clogged pores) as well as red papules, pustules and/or cysts, depending on the severity,” DrNiteen Dhepe, Medical Director at Skin City says. “Acne in pregnancy is most common in the first and second trimesters, and is at least partly due to elevated circulating hormones called androgens. These hormones may cause an increase in sebum production, making the skin more susceptible to congestion, inflammation and bacteria.”
Also read, What are the causes of acne?
1. Increased Androgen Level
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many hormonal changes and one of them is the presence of higher level of androgens. This elevated androgen level makes the skin of a pregnant woman more prone to pimples.
2. Dietary Changes
You may experience sudden hunger pangs during pregnancy and at that time, you tend to consume things which are delicious to your taste buds. Not only the unhealthy diet affects your skin but increases your bad cholesterol and contains substances that may affect your baby’s health. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet and take baked snacks.
3. Genetic Tendency
Pimples cannot be prevented if you are prone to them due to genetic predisposition. As the genes carry information from parents to children, you are more likely to get acne if your parents had it. Your acne can be worsened during pregnancy, if you have it before pregnancy.
4. Medication
Pregnancy is a tumultuous experience and keeping your body in balance is extremely important. Doctors generally prescribe medication to keep the mother and the baby healthy. Sometimes, this prescribed medication causes negative effects on your skin thus, giving birth to pimples. These pimples can be troublesome.
5. Stress
Being stressed during pregnancy is common, especially for new mothers, as pregnancy is a difficult thing to experience. Your stress can induce pimples or it can aggravate it. So try to relax your mind and indulge yourself in meditation or prenatal yoga.
So, What Can You Use To Manage Pregnancy Acne?
Dr. Dhepe performs extractions – the extracting of blackheads and the gunk inside your pimples performed by a fully trained professional – on his pregnant clients. This will always be better than trying to pop your own pimples as it reduces the risk of infection, which can lead to long-term scarring. He added, “We can still do AHA peels that help give a deeper chemical exfoliation, or microdermabrasion if you have minimal active pimples – this needs to be done with care as your skin can be slightly more sensitive when pregnant.””A great treatment is also IPL laser light therapy, to kill any build up of bacteria and to help with deep cysts.”
To recap, these are the skincare treatments that are safe during pregnancy – but again, always consult your obstetrician first:
- Extraction facials
- Microdermabrasion, with caution
- AHA peels
- IPL light therapy
Really, the most important thing to know about pregnancy acne is that, sadly, it’s just one of the many things some women have to accept will happen to their bodies during pregnancy.
Also read, What are the different types of acne
Pregnancy is not a bad time for your skin. You just get some pimples or blemishes due to some unavoidable reasons. With proper skin care from Skin City and a healthy diet, your pimples may disappear after pregnancy.