Many women have acne during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes which occur in their body. If you are having this problem, you can read on further to know about the causes, best treatments as well as how to prevent breakouts.
When you are pregnant, you will experience many hormonal changes and these can make you susceptible to skin problems. If you are not one of the lucky women whose skin will go untouched throughout pregnancy, you’ll have to deal with many skin problems, such as acne. The problem will worsen if you have a history of acne.
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Acne during Pregnancy: Causes
As mentioned above, breakouts can occur in pregnancy because of the hormonal changes which occur in the body. During pregnancy, there are higher amounts of androgen hormones that will cause the sebaceous glands to make more sebum (skin oil). This excess amount of sebum will block the pores and cause bacteria to grow. In the end, this will cause acne breakouts and skin inflammation. The skin breakouts can be severe, moderate or mild.
In most cases, the skin breakouts occur in the first three months of pregnancy when the hormones are out of whack. This can cause you to have acne in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, skin breakouts could occur at any time during and even after the prenatal period.
Acne during Pregnancy: The Best Treatments
You have to take special care when treating acne breakouts during pregnancy because some drugs can be harmful to you and your baby. This is why home remedies are the preferred choice during this time.
The following are some of the best home treatments:
Cinnamon and Lemon Juice: You can use this to make a paste. Mix cinnamon powder (half teaspoon) and lemon juice (one tablespoon). This can then be applied to the affected area and then wash off ten minutes after with water. It can be applied once in 2 days.
Aloe Vera: This has anti-bacterial properties which make it highly effective in preventing and treating acne problems. You can apply the juice from the Aloe Vera on the affected region.
Potato: You can grate one small potato and then extract the juice and apply it on the affected spot. It can be left on for half an hour before washing. The process can be repeated daily.
Rose Water and Sandalwood Powder: These two items can be used to make a paste. You would just add two to three drops of the rose water to a teaspoon of the sandalwood powder. After applying it on the affected skin, you should leave it on to dry for around ten minutes, and then wash it off with cold water.
Turmeric and mint: For this, you would grind the mint leaves to make a paste and then add a dash of turmeric. Mix the two things well and then apply to the affected area.
Fenugreek: This is regarded as a very effective acne treatment. All you have to do is make it into a paste and apply some fresh paste to the affected area daily for half an hour.
Toothpaste: This is probably one of the easiest and very common remedies for acne during pregnancy. You would rub the paste on the area that is affected, leave it on overnight, and then wash off in the morning.
Ripe Tomato: You can take the pulp from a ripe tomato and then apply it to your face. After twenty minutes, you can wash with cold water.
Rose water: This works as a natural toner so it can add glow to the skin. It is also one of the best acne remedies. You would dab two to three drops on the affected area daily before sleeping.
Cucumber: You can make a paste with the cucumber or extract the juice and apply it to the area for ten minutes everyday. Do before going to bed to get much faster results.
Lemonade: The juice from the lemon contains Vitamin C, so it can help to boost your immune system and make your skin glow.
Fruits and Green Leafy Vegetables: These items are rich in minerals and vitamins, so increasing your daily intake will make you healthier and acne-free.
Ways to Control and Prevent Acne during Pregnancy
The best way to control acne breakouts is to wash your face daily with a good soap. Try to wash one time in the morning and again before going to sleep as this will help to remove excess oil on the skin without drying it out. Use cleansers which are fragrance and oil free to wash, lukewarm water to rinse and then a soft towel to pat dry. A non-medicated astringent can also help to remove excess skin oil. You should always use an oil-free moisturizer to prevent dry skin.
You should consult a doctor if you are dealing with persistent acne skin breakouts during pregnancy. He or she can recommend a safe medication that you can use to treat acne problems. Aside from medications, you could also get over the counter creams and ointments, including products with benzoyl peroxide.
