Acne Pregnancy – Acne during Pregnancy
Pregnancy sometimes brings on acne or makes it worse. Higher levels of hormones called androgens can prompt the sebaceous glands in your skin to get bigger and boost production of an oily substance called sebum.This extra sebum, combined with the shed skin cells that line your hair follicles, blocks your pores, creating an environment in which bacteria can rapidly multiply. All this eventually leads to the inflammation and skin eruptions of acne.
Acne pregnancy is very common, whether you have previously had acne or not. It is most common in the first three months while the levels of hormones are increasing. Progesterone is more androgenic (male hormone-like) than oestrogen and causes the secretions of your skin glands to increase, which can lead to more acne. After the first trimester, progesterone is produced by the placenta and not the ovaries, so acne usually clears up after this time.
Hormonal changes during early pregnancy often result in acne inflammations. Even if you have been blessed with clear skin all your life, you may experience terrible acne during your first trimester.Luckily, acne tends to clear up as the pregnancy progresses, and if you struggled with acne during pregnancy then your skin may look better in your second and third trimester than it ever has before. (Doctors speculate this is due to increased levels of estrogen.)
Melasma is more common among women with darker color complexions. It typically begins in the second or third trimester. While you don’t need to treat the condition, you should wear plenty of sunscreen. Excessive exposure to the sun can make melasma appear darker. Most women find their condition improves several weeks after the baby is born.
Why does acne develop or get worse than before?
If you do start breaking out, or break out worse than before, it’s because of an increasing level of hormones in your body. Androgenic hormones like progesterone stimulate your oil glands to produce more oil, which leads to more acne. The second reason is because of changes in hydration in your body. If you don’t drink enough water, the hormone secretions will remain undiluted and will not pass through the body as quickly.
During pregnancy elevated hormone levels can bring a variety of skin changes, including acne. Acne can be treated by a dermatologist in non-pregnant women through prescription drugs such as Accutane, Retin-A, and Tetracycline. However, use of these drugs is discouraged by pregnant women or women trying to conceive and should be thoroughly discussed with your health care provider and dermatologist.
Follow a healthy regimen of cleanliness to control bacteria, exercise daily to stimulate circulation to all parts of the body including the skin, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that have been thoroughly washed. Cleansing your skin to keep it oil-free helps during pregnancy. If you are likely to have acne during pregnancy, cleanse your skin twice a day. When washing your face, use an oil-absorbing microfiber cloth.
