What is Pregnancy Acne?

Pregnancy acne is a pretty descriptive title for this common problem—it’s acne that appears at some point during the pre or post-partum period.

Pregnancy acne is a pretty descriptive title for this common problem—it’s acne that appears at some point during the pre or post-partum period. But why does it occur? And how come it only affects some women? The following delves into the etiology of the condition, what it is, and what you can do to either prevent or improve it.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about a condition that’s experienced by a massive 50% of women at some point during their pregnancy.

What is Pregnancy Acne? 

  • The hormone connection
  • Why your past acne history can be an indicator for pregnancy acne

The hormone connection 

There’s one very simple reason behind pregnancy acne—your hormones. From the moment of conception through to a few months after giving birth, your hormones enter a necessary state of flux. It’s this that can cause a type of acne known as acne vulgaris, where excess sebum is produced within the skin causing the hair follicles to become blocked. In turn, this causes skin blemishes to occur, such as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts.

The difference between this and acne in those who’re not pregnant is that the sole reason it flares up is due to the hormonal change. In other cases of acne, while hormones can be a cause, other factors are also at play—such as nutrition and lifestyle. This means that, for non-pregnant people, treating the condition can be approached in a variety of ways.

In pregnancy acne, however, directly addressing the hormonal changes is not desirable, as these are necessary for the healthy development of the fetus. This means it’s important to take professional advice if you experience pregnancy acne. 

Why your past acne history can be an indicator for pregnancy acne 

While any pregnant woman can suffer from pregnancy acne, those who have previously suffered or those who experience flare-ups at the beginning of their menstrual cycle are more at risk. 

How to Treat Pregnancy Acne 

  • Home treatments
  • Professional pregnancy acne treatment

Home treatments 

When it comes to DIY treatments, it’s vital to refrain from using any medications unless directly advised by a medical professional.  

However, one aspect that you can safely carry out at home is that of a direct link between food and an acne bloom. Many women experience cravings during pregnancy. While pregnancy acne is generally hormonally driven, if you suddenly begin eating more of a particular food and notice that the acne worsens, then there could be a link. 

Professional pregnancy acne treatment 

Even if you’ve used acne medication pre-pregnancy, it’s important to seek professional advice if you’re considering using it during the pregnancy cycle. Dermatologists can advise a safe treatment plan if you’re struggling with the condition. Some of the options available that have been proven safe to use include: 

  • Topical salicylic acid
  • Topical clindamycin
  • Topical benzoyl peroxide
  • Topical azelaic acid
  • Oral erythromycin

It can’t be over-stressed how important it is not to go down the DIY route when it comes to using any type of acne medication. Some, including oral tetracyclines, have been proven to increase the risk of birth defects, premature birth, and miscarriage.

While most pregnancy acne fades following birth, for some women it can persist. Again, professionally prescribed medication might be needed to treat the problem, particularly if you’re breastfeeding.

Don’t Let Pregnancy Acne Get You Down: Let Bayou City Dermatology Treat the Condition 

Your body is already going through a monumental change when you travel through the pregnancy journey. Don’t let the appearance of acne mar the joy that this life-changing experience brings. If you’re suffering from acne flare-ups during pregnancy, then the experts at Bayou City Dermatology can help—and we usually find that our professional interventions see patients improve really quickly!

Find out more about the treatments on offer at https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/clinical/acne-treatmentand call our friendly team today to arrange your professional consultation.