While pimples and acne are among common causes for many, pimples during pregnancy are quite a prominent concern. The phase of pregnancy involves a lot of hormonal body changes from within, which leads to breakouts and heavy acne in many women. While few suffer from mild breakouts, we can often notice this as a significant concern for many women.
If you are suffering from pimples during your pregnancy journey, here is something you need to know about treating them right and quickly by yourself. This guide on acne during pregnancy will answer all your queries and give you remedies for getting rid of it in no time!
Is Pregnancy Acne Common?
One can notice acne during the carrying period quite commonly. This can be the case with both early to mid-pregnancy. It is reported one in two women, or more than 40% of pregnant women have reported acne to dermatologists. Many are concerned about the massive production of natural oils in the skin during this time and can notice breakouts begin during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Causes of Pimples During Pregnancy:
The significant and common reason for breakouts and acne in this phase is hormonal changes. The pregnancy period leads to higher amounts of secretion of the hormone called androgens. These hormones trigger the sebaceous glands that lie underneath our skin and produce the oil-like substance sebum. Now sebum is sticky and causes the dead cells on our surface to get glued together. This glued a bunch of dead, dry cells clog up our pores and cause pimples or acne.
Pregnancy breakouts are thus a standard feature and nothing to panic about. It is just a source of some mild irritation and a hindrance to your looks, nothing else. Its severity can vary from mild to horrifying. But there are methods to control their extensiveness.
Read: Remedies for Dark Circles in Pregnancy
Best Natural Treatments For Pimples During Pregnancy:
Before entering into medical treatments and gels available in stores, it is always good to try out natural and safe methods to get rid of and drop acne. Here is a list of a few natural homemade remedies that you can do to control your pregnancy pimples or acne.
1. No Popping:
Squeezing, scrapping or popping your pimples is not going to be of any use to you. It’ll just make the bacteria spread, and the infection worsens. So you should avoid all the chances of popping or scratching your pimples. It shall go away once the duration of its stay expires, which it shall, no matter how long it seems.
2. Aloe Vera for Pimples:
Aloe Vera is always very useful as a healthy product. If you are suffering from acne, then definitely use this product. For pimples during early pregnancy, the product is very safe. Using Aloe Vera gel, you can surely protect your skin from such allergies. It is a natural product without any side effects. Thus you will feel relieved from the very issue.
3. Baking Soda:
Having oily is quite natural. It is also true that excessive oil on the skin gives birth to the pimple. Actually, oily skin suffers from healing. For pimples during pregnancy home remedies can be baking soda. Use baking soda to remove pimples. Before using it, mix the soda with water and gently apply it to the skin. It will take a few days to clean your skin.
4. Tea Tree Oil:
Pimples at this time can happen due to many issues. There is no such particular one. Thus you need to know which the correct method is. Many a time pimples can happen due to infections from bacteria. Apply from the skin apple tea tree oil over the place. It is available in medical shops, particularly for this reason. Thus without any hesitation, you can use it.
5. Coconut Oil:
Skin is a very sensitive part of the body. So when it gets affected, you get very nervous. If you are suffering from pimples on your face during pregnancy, you can use coconut oil to get rid of them. Coconut oil is pure without any impurities. Thus there is no scope of irritation from it. With soft cotton, apply it until your disease is cured.
6. Honey:
Honey is quite a known remedy among many. Given that during pregnancy time, pimples on the face are high on the rise, applying honey on pimples and breakouts can help reduce them to a large extent. This is quite a sustainable method and a natural way to reduce acne yourself! Notably, it is easy to remove pimples in pregnancy first and second trimesters through this method.
7. Over-the-Counter Products:
Pimple treatment during pregnancy is no easy and simple task to do by yourself. Ask your doctor about which over-the-counter drugs or creams you can use without affecting your pregnancy adversely. These can prove to be of great assistance. However some of the ingredients used by these antibiotics can be harmful to your pregnancy, so make sure to mention that you’re pregnant to your dermatologist when asking him for advice.
In particular, you have to avoid the use of the drug, Accutane, tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. These are all drugs commonly prescribed for treating acne problems. However, all of these can have harmful effects on your baby, and I am sure you are not that keen on treating your pimples to put the life of your child in danger.
Read: Acne Products for Pregnant Women
Skincare Tips for Acne During Pregnancy:
Given the home remedies to reduce pimples while pregnant, here are a few other skincare tips and changes one can follow for the best results.
- Stay Away From Sunlight: At this time, sunlight can be a significant reason for pimples. Direct sun rays generally cause pimples. It not only changes your face but also irritates you. For the ultraviolet rays, sunlight is very bad for health. The heat of it burns the skin very badly. So whenever you step outside for work, carry an umbrella and other necessary protection.
- Avoid Scrubbing While Carrying Your Child: A different problem arises while being a mother. This is a very critical time when many complications arise. Thus rather than fear take good care of your health. , acne during pregnancy is one of them. At this time, do not scrub your face too much. Try to avoid scrubbing products for the timing. Wash your face with plain water and cotton.
- Avoiding Pollution: Pimples can happen from dust and pollution. While carrying your child, you need to keep yourself very clean. After coming from shopping, office or market sanitation is necessary. Undoubtedly the pollution outside is not at all healthy for you. If you keep your skin unclean, bacteria get a scope to create pimples all over again.
- Maintaining Good Hygiene: Keep your face oil-free at all times. This entails washing your face at regular intervals. While you have to be thorough in this task, you also have to make sure that you aren’t too rough. Scraping or harshly rubbing pimples makes the infection worse and allows the bacteria to spread. Use a mild cleanser or soap, nothing too harsh. While moisturizing afterwards, use non-comedogenic products.
- Gentle Cleansing of Skin: While drying your skin, it is once again imperative for you to be gentle. Use a soft washcloth to pat it dry rather than rub it dry. Do not use the same washcloth or towel twice. Make sure that the towel you are using is well-laundered and clean.
- General Cleanliness Around You: Try to stay in a clean environment. You have to keep your face dust and oil-free if you don’t wish for your pimples to worsen. So make sure that the pillowcase you use is clean and soft. Launder it every day. Do not use the same towel twice or even allow others to use it. These are how the bacteria, causing your pimple, spread.
Acne Treatment During Pregnancy:
Remember, whatever you use for medication and therapy can have an equal effect on your unborn child. Hence it is very crucial to distinguish safe and unsafe methods and treatments for acne and breakouts in this phase. Here are a few clues.
- Unsafe Treatment Methods: It is essential to know what is not proper and safe to use during pregnancy. One such which should be highlighted here is the usage of Isotretinoin. Use of these oral medications can be useful to treat acne, but it is hazardous during pregnancy. The drug can adversely affect the fetus and cause birth defects. Further, other treatment options such as hormone therapy, and topical retinoids aren’t prescribed to be used during the pregnancy period.
- Other Treatment Options: In general, treatments such as erythromycin, and clindamycin are considered safe for usage during this phase. However, it is essential to take a doctor’s advice before any self-treatment. Further counter medications in some cases can be used, such as topical benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid and glycolic acid.
Read: Beauty Tips During Pregnancy
Skin Injury Through Acne During Pregnancy:
The pimple marks and breakouts can lead to other concerns such as skin injuries, spots, and blemishes on the face. These are very unpleasant as they affect our overall look and beauty. Here are a few common types of skin conditions which come through acne during pregnancy.
- Cysts are the case of extreme acne and breakouts during pregnancy. These are painful pimples that have puss within them and can break with unpleasant fluid coming from within. A clean environment and hydration are most important to treat cysts.
- Papules and pustules are among the common sights on the face, during suffering from breakouts in this phase. These pimples during pregnancy can be treated with home remedies easily. Make sure not to pop them up as it may leave dark spots.
- Red and itchy pimples may come your way during pregnancy and never rub them or scratch them. Typical areas of these breakouts include on forehead, cheeks and neck during pregnancy.
- Comedones and whiteheads are also quite common signs when affected by acne during pregnancy. They are generally less irritating and look less ugly than others. This acne usually can be noticed near the chin and nose areas during the early pregnancy period.
Any scars left due to breakouts and acne during pregnancy can be treated with consultation from the doctor. While most of these pimples and types of skin injuries are common during the early or late pregnancy period, remember that most of these breakouts can also occur post-delivery. These can be treated with the help of healthcare providers.
The hormonal changes and excess oil production in the skin cause acne and breakouts during the pregnancy phase, which is quite common. While they are challenging to tackle, they aren’t quite the most difficult ones to do. With our best home remedies and treatment options, hope you found the answer on how best to get rid of them quickly. Let us know your thoughts!
In case of excess acne and pimples, never go with self-treatment. Never use oral medications by yourself. Always consult your healthcare provider for the best medicines and dosage. All the drugs are not equally suitable for everyone and require to be taken under medical supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q1. What is the Best Face mask for Pregnancy Acne?
Ans: Dealing with pregnancy acne can be quite a task. You can easily get rid of tiny acne and pimples while pregnant through homemade masks or face masks available in the market. You can use Aloe vera and a honey face mask or the all-new clay mask which is available in the market today.
Q2. Is Pimple Cream and Gels Safe to Use During Pregnancy Acne?
Ans: We recommend that any gel or cream, including oral medicines, be taken only after consultation with your doctor. During the pregnancy period, never take any creams or gels by yourself, unless simple home remedies.
Q3. Are Pimples Signs of Pregnancy?
Ans: Pimples and breakouts can occur in several age groups, for both men and women. They are the result of various factors such as hormonal changes, pollution, unclean environment, stress, dandruff and other reasons. So, it is never the case that pimples are always signs of being pregnant.
Q4. Can Acne Happen and Occur After Pregnancy?
Ans: Yes, acne can occur even after delivery and pregnancy. These are also due to hormonal changes and can be treated with the help of a medical practitioner.
