While just the thought of a newborn baby ignites a bundle of joy in almost every woman, the journey before that isn’t always comfortable. Acne in pregnant women is just one major challenge, among many others, that ladies face during this period. And although the reward for pregnancy is worth the challenge, you also deserve smooth skin during and after pregnancy.
The good thing is, even when the acne doesn’t go away naturally, there are multiple ways to treat it. Also, acne scars removal methods are available for the unsightly marks it might leave behind.
Before we can explore the available solutions, let’s first look at what causes acne in pregnant women?
Main Cause of Acne in Pregnant Women
Acne during pregnancy is more prevalent in the first two trimesters. This is usually due to the increase in sebum production, triggered by a rise in certain hormones known as androgens. Sebum is an oily substance that can easily clog the skin pores, resulting in bacterial infections, inflammations, and subsequently acne breakouts.
While not every pregnant woman experiences acne, most, especially those with similar cases during their monthly periods, are quite susceptible.
One main challenge with pregnancy acne is that it’s quite tricky to treat. Not because there are no acne treatments, but because many OTC prescriptions can be risky to your pregnancy.
That’s why you should never take any acne removal medicine without a green light from your doctor. This way, you can protect the joy that is growing inside you.
Treatment for Acne in Pregnancy
Acne in pregnant women is almost a natural occurrence. Many pregnant ladies will have the outbreaks, even if in minimal amounts. Also, in most cases, pregnancy acne fades away once the hormones stabilize.
If you can wait for the acne to go away naturally, it would be the perfect solution. But, some acne won’t just disappear. Also, some people can’t just sit there and wait for the acne to heal naturally.
So, what do you do? How do you treat acne while still ensuring your baby’s safety?
Well, the second safest thing to do is working with drug-free homemade solutions. But remember, even these remedies need to be approved by your doctor.
Some of the most common acne pregnancy treatments include:
1. Honey
Honey is one natural skincare product that has proven its effectiveness over its many years of use. Due to its antiseptic and antibacterial elements, honey offers numerous benefits to the skin. It also contains some soothing effects which are ideal for your skin.
Although not the silver bullet to treating acne, various studies have shown that honey can offer great relief from acne outbreaks.
All you need to do is to:
- Use some warm water to clean up your face.
- Gently apply the honey to your skin.
- Let it remain there for around 20 – 30 minutes.
- Rinse it with warm water again.
However, ensure that the type of honey you are using is the recommended one. It should be natural, unprocessed, and unheated.
2. Apple cider vinegar
This remedy is not new to the health community. For centuries now, apple cider vinegar has been in use, both in medicine and for cooking. And, when it comes to acne in pregnant women, apple cider can be an excellent treatment option.
The compound contains several health beneficial features, such as antimicrobials and antioxidants. And although there is not enough research about the effects of apple cider vinegar in acne, its multiple properties and ability to kill bacteria have some studies backing its effectiveness.
So, how do you apply apple cider vinegar to your acne?
First, dilute ¼ liter of raw apple cider vinegar with ¾ liters of distilled water. Dip a cotton ball into the distilled mixture, and apply it to your skin. If you experience too much dryness on your skin, discontinue the treatment at once.
Never try to use undiluted vinegar to treat your acne. The compound is significantly acidic and can easily cause severe burns on the skin.
3. Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruits such as limes and lemons are known to contain alpha hydroxy acids (citric acid). These acids account for both the antibacterial and astringent properties of lemon or lime juice.
When you apply lime or lemon juice to your acne-affected skin, it unclogs the pores and removes the skin’s dead cells. This means that citrus fruit is an excellent source of an effective exfoliant for your skin.
Apply your lemon juice to your acne, wait for at least 10 minutes, and rinse it with clean water. Repeat this once or twice a day, and you’ll see results.
4. Baking Soda
This is another effective remedy for your pregnancy acne. Baking soda will dry up the excess oil on your skin that, in return, promotes rapid acne healing.
The only drawback with baking soda is that it can cause some irritations to the skin and remove even some vital skin protective oils. For this reason, many healthcare professionals will not recommend the continuous use of baking soda.
To prepare the mixture, take one teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with a tablespoon of clean water. Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture on each acne spot individually, and not the whole face or body. Wait for a few minutes and then wash it off with cool, clean water.
5. Coconut Oil
Just like most of the above remedies for acne, coconut oil has its undisputed spot. Since it contains some antibacterial and antifungal elements, the oil can be an effective solution to your pregnancy acne problem.
In addition, coconut oil has some skin-soothing properties that are ideal for the skin. All you need is some pure coconut oil and apply it on the acne before you retire to sleep. Repeat this process for a few weeks, and you’ll start seeing results.
How to Care for Your Skin During Pregnancy to Minimize Acne
Caring for your skin will go a long way in minimizing acne outbreaks during pregnancy. Some of the common things you can do include:
- Washing the affected areas regularly: Using some warm water and a bar of mild soap, gently wash your face or any acne-affected area with your hands. Don’t use things that can irritate your skin, such as astringents, facial scrubs, or masks.
- Use shampoo regularly: In case the acne forms along the hairline, you can use shampoo to wash your hair daily. This will certainly help the acne to dry and heal.
- Avoid skin irritants on your skin: These include things like oily cosmetics, acne concealers, sunscreens, and some hair products. If need be, use only products with a water-based or noncomedogenic label.
- If you don’t want some unsightly acne scars, avoid picking or popping the pimples.
- Avoid OTC acne medications: Most acne medicines are completely off the table during pregnancy as they can harm your unborn baby. These include retinoids, spironolactone, oral isotretinoin, etc.
- Drink a lot of purified water to ensure that your skin stays hydrated. You should also minimize your intake of caffeine and carbonated drinks as much as possible.
- Make sure that you have ample time to rest: Proper rest will ensure that you relax, avoiding fatigue and stress, which might lead to acne outbreaks.
- Don’t touch your face with unclean hands or clothes: Change your towels and beddings regularly to avoid bacterial infections.
- Eat healthily: Ensure that you take lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats such as avocados, and minimal proteins. Also, try to keep off processed foods and refined sugars.
And the most important thing! Always seek your doctor’s advice whenever you want to treat your acne. This way, you are sure of your pregnancy’s safety.
When Do Pregnancy Acne Go Away?
The truth of the matter is, there is no definitive answer as to when your acne will clear. This is because some people might even have pre-existing acne, while others are more prone to recurrence.
However, since acne’s main cause in pregnant women is hormone variation, some studies indicate that acne will heal once the hormones stabilize. Now, this will depend on the individual.
As long as you take care of your skin, the chances of your acne clearing sooner are high. And if they persist, make sure to see your doctor.
Conclusion about Acne in Pregnant Women
While there are numerous acne treatment methods, the pregnancy period brings its restrictions. You cannot treat your pregnancy acne the way you treat any other acne. This is because you also have an unborn child in your belly that you must care for.
Most of the normal acne medications can easily cause unnecessary fetal complications and defects, hence needing a doctor’s advice.
However, that doesn’t mean that acne in pregnant women is untreatable. With the above natural remedies, you can still get rid of those nagging pimples and acne. Also, if you do it right, you are sure to prevent acne scars later.
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