Pregnancy is a wonderful gift, but it can cause some drastic changes in a woman’s body – particularly her hormones.
So, while you might have heard that pregnant moms tend to be blessed with glowing, radiant skin throughout their pregnancy – the truth is that more than half of women can expect to develop acne. In certain cases, it can even lead to cystic acne.
With all the physiologic changes going on with the body, expecting moms might find themselves losing their self-esteem and constantly depressed and anxious about their looks – but all hope is not lost.
Without further ado, let us take a closer look into what causes pregnancy acne, why it might be harder to cure (but NOT impossible), and the next steps you can take!
What is the cause of pregnancy acne?
Much like when you were going through puberty, pregnancy triggers the release of extra hormones (specifically androgens and progesterone) throughout the body in order to help feed and support your baby to grow.
This often leads to changes in blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as the increase in oil production – a prime environment for the P.acnes bacteria to thrive in that ends in terrible breakouts.
Pregnancy acne tends to develop during the first trimester and peaks in the third trimester – with symptoms ranging anywhere from mild, moderate to severe.
If you used to get hormonal flare-ups during your period, or have suffered from acne issues in the past – there’s a greater likelihood that you will experience pregnancy acne. Ultimately, it all boils down to the specific individual, and there is no sure way to predict whether or not you will get it.
Why pregnancy acne is trickier to cure
There is no quick fix when it comes to acne treatment, and the same goes for pregnancy acne.
The problem is that most effective solutions are considered teratogenic – meaning to say that they cause miscarriages and birth defects.
During this important period, the skin is much more sensitive – it has been highly debated that many popular over-the-counter acne treatments such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are harmful for use. However, studies have shown that most skin care products are okay to use during pregnancy, without compromising the health of the unborn baby.
However, it is vital that pregnant moms steer clear away from topical retinoids, particularly topical tretinoin – which has been reported in 4 published case reports to cause serious birth defects.
The good news is, pregnancy acne tends to go away once the hormones stabilize after birth, but some women might not see an improvement in their skin. With no promise that acne will completely go away, what steps should you take then?
What you can do about it
The best way is to manage the visual appearance until you have given birth, or in some cases, after you have finished breastfeeding – before turning to a proper acne treatment in Singapore.
However, many expecting moms tend to neglect their skin and acne symptoms during pregnancy, which often leads to some form of acne scarring. This too, is best treated appropriately with an effective acne scar removal treatment after.
While certain treatments such as cleansing facials and peels, as well as light therapy is considered safe during pregnancy – it is not a cure-all method for acne or acne scar removal.
When it comes to pregnancy and post-pregnancy related acne, we have specialized programs available that are specifically tailored to treat acne in pregnant and breast-feeding mothers. These protocols have been developed with ingredients and procedures that are safe for currently pregnant mothers, as well as those in the post-partum phase.
Using a tried-and-true, 5-step acne treatment process – we first perform facial treatments to control inflammation, cleanse pores and hydrate the skin, followed by a selection of laser treatments that include our Q-switch, Vbeam or INFINI for deep acne scars. Then, our AGNES acne treatment is used to shrink the sebaceous glands and minimize recurrent acne, as we prepare you for proper post-treatment maintenance at home with topical and oral therapy.
Our recommendation is to always consult a doctor who will be able to prepare a customized plan for your specific skin type and condition. It is important that you seek help from a doctor who is knowledgeable about what products and treatments options are safe to use before, during and after pregnancy.
Ultimately, embrace the pregnancy and all that comes with it, and be kind to yourself during the process. Remember that it is a natural stage that many expecting moms go through as well, and that help is on the way whenever you are ready!