Typical Pregnancy Acne - Treating Acne During Pregnancy

Are you pregnant and developing acne? If you have heard that pregnancy can improve any existing acne, that news is absolutely correct. It’s also equally correct that acne can be a perfectly normal occurrence during pregnancy. As a matter of fact, it is far more widespread than most women realize.

Many women are more prone to pregnancy acne because their skin becomes sensitive to the fluctuation of hormones in their bodies. Typical pregnancy acne appears as cysts, pustules and open comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Even women who never had acne during their youth may develop pregnancy acne at any stage of gestation.

Some new mothers become concerned that their new babies will develop acne during their first few weeks or months of life. Rest assured that there is no connection what so ever between women who have acne during pregnancy and baby acne. No woman can blame herself when her child develops acne during infancy, or even later in life, because she experienced pregnancy acne while carrying the child.

The best way to treat pregnancy acne is by using topical cleansers that do not contain benzoyl peroxides, natural blemishing fighting ingredients, or the topical antibiotic erythromycin. Women should never take retinoids, such as Accutane, to treat pregnancy acne. If you are pregnant and those blackheads and whiteheads are beginning to show up, try over-the-counter products that meet the criteria above. If you think you may need something stronger to battle pregnancy acne, consult your physician, gynecologist or dermatologist before taking any prescription medicines.

After the birth of her child, a woman’s skin will usually clear up. That is not a foregone conclusion, however, and she may require some sort of treatment, over-the-counter or otherwise. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict whether you will develop acne during pregnancy, nor is there a way to prevent pregnancy acne from developing, but be patient and, with time, your skin will probably clear up and return to its natural, pre-pregnancy radiance.

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