Female Acne Treatment

During pregnancy, more than at any other time other than puberty, a woman experiences many chemical and hormonal changes within her body. These fluctuating hormone levels can potentially cause pregnancy acne. Variable hormone levels can make skin oil production go into overdrive, as male hormones (androgens) predominate, causing pores to become blocked and infected. Pregnancy acne generally develops around the mouth, and on the shoulders, chest or back.

When it comes to the treatment of pregnancy acne, some drugs and other preparations can cause serious concern for most women. Unborn babies often suffer the brunt of whatever substance the mother may ingest. Oral drugs can cause side effects and can pose potential danger to the developing fetus. When faced with the choice of eliminating pregnancy acne or endangering the health of a child, women will usually choose to suffer through the acne breakouts that pregnancy can bring about. Topical treatments, or products than can be applied to the skin, are the most logical choices. The trick is finding one that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, because they can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, putting the fetus at risk.

If you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant, you and your doctor will have to consider your treatment options carefully because many of the usual anti-acne treatments are not suitable for use during pregnancy.

Isotretinoin (Accutane) tablets can cause fetal abnormalities, and are absolutely forbidden if you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant. A woman must use effective contraception for at least one month before beginning to take Accutane, throughout the course of treatment, at least a month after treatment ends. Tretinoin cream must not be used for pregnancy acne for the same reason; although it is applied to the skin rather than ingested. There’s a risk that a small amount could be absorbed into the mother’s bloodstream and could reach the fetus in the womb.

Benzoyl peroxide cream or gel is the usual option for treating acne during pregnancy. While it is only effective on the mildest forms of acne, it is one of the few relatively safe options. Another possibility is an over-the-counter treatment containing salicylic acid. As far as antibiotics go, erythromycin is the only one believed to be safe during pregnancy. The effectiveness of erythromycin may be questionable. Many skin bacteria are now resistant to it due to recent over-prescription of antibiotics by medical practitioners.

Options for the treatment of pregnancy acne are limited, so it’s always best to work closely with your physician or dermatologist for the best and safest options.