One of the first things people notice about a woman after she announces her pregnancy is her glow. Pregnancy provides a beautiful glow to some women, thanks to the skin’s elevated hydration and moisture-retention levels, along with amplified exposure to vitamins and minerals through the placenta.

One of the first things people notice about a woman after she announces her pregnancy is her glow. Pregnancy provides a beautiful glow to some women, thanks to the skin’s elevated hydration and moisture-retention levels, along with amplified exposure to vitamins and minerals through the placenta.
But, for some women this glow is short lived, the increased and fluctuating hormonal activity during the first trimester can have the opposite effect. This includes increased sebum production and pigmentation due to the overstimulation of melanocyte-stimulating hormones – which can result in pregnancy acne. Woman who have never suffered with any form of acne pre-pregnancy can get it too!
Pimples during pregnancy might seem like cruel punishment as you may already be dealing with weight gain, nausea, exhaustion and ever-changing hormones that affect your mood. But it’s these hormones that actually contribute to the acne.
Acne during pregnancy mostly occurs during the first and second trimesters, when there are unusually high levels of androgen hormones.
 
Usually, if you don’t develop acne during the first trimester, it’s unlikely you’ll have breakouts that are out of the ordinary during the second or third trimesters. But, more than half of pregnant women can expect to develop acne. In some cases, it may be severe but usually resolves about three months after birth.
Can you prevent pregnancy acne?
No, unfortunately you can’t prevent it from happening, but you can manage or minimise it. Following a healthy diet, taking prebiotics and probiotics. In most cases the acne can be treated with home-care products that contain ingredients like topical salicylic acid and azelaic acid. Topical retinoids have NOT been tested adequately to confidently recommend their use in pregnancy and oral retinoids should also be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding.
What can you do to help it?
Do:
  • Keep your skin well hydrated. Look for hydrating serums and creams that contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
  • Choose products with antioxidant ingredients, such as vitamin C. These will enhance your skin’s barrier function and promote skin-cell turnover rates.
  • Use a good matte facial sunscreen.
  • Take probiotics.
  • Drink lots of water.
Don’t:
  • Use any form of Retinoids while pregnant or breastfeeding. Topical or Orally.
  • Pick, scratch or extract, as this can cause scarring.
  • Over-cleanse.
  • Use harsh soaps or exfoliators that dry out your skin. Rather choose products containing alpha-hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acids.
  • Use home peeling systems.
  • Have active treatments or acne facials.
  • Expose your face to the sun.
Written by Staff Writer Laura Doyle. Beauty therapist and mum of 4 Laura also blogs at www.lovelifeandlittleones.com

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