Acne in Pregnancy

If you’re reading this with a face covered in acne, you might be wondering where your pregnancy glow is. All you seem to hear people say about pregnant women is that they are blooming, glowing and looking beautiful. If you’re experiencing pregnancy acne, you may feel rather differently about the affect pregnancy has had on your skin.

Acne can develop on your face, back and chest. It may be more prominent around your hairline. Acne can consist of red pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. While not a serious condition, it may make you feel quite self conscious. This is especially true during pregnancy when you are already dealing with a whole host of body changes.

What causes acne in pregnancy?

You can point your finger at hormones again here. They seem to be playing havoc with your entire body, don’t they? During the first trimester, your hormone levels increase rapidly. The pregnancy hormones increase sebum production. Sebum is an oily secretion released by glands in the skin. Too much sebum can quickly lead to blocked pores and spots.

You may just get the odd spot, or you may find yourself suffering from an extreme break out. Some women who have suffered from acne longterm, find that their skin clears up during the pregnancy. Whereas, other women who have always had problem-free skin, may find themselves suffering from acne.

Once you reach the second trimester, hormone production slows down. Most women notice a decrease in their pregnancy symptoms at this point, and this includes acne. For some women, however, the acne will persist to the end of the pregnancy. Rest assured though, a few weeks after the birth, your skin will return to its normal state.

Safe treatment for acne

You can try the following tips to manage your acne:

Use a gentle face soap and gentle cleanser
Try to avoid using harsh chemicals on your skin. There are plenty of natural cosmetic products on the market these days
Be careful to remove all of your makeup before bed
Avoid wearing makeup if you can
Trying switching your normal moisturiser for coconut oil
Eat a healthy diet, and avoid greasy fatty foods
Do not pick the spots as this can cause scarring
Make sure you get plenty of sleep and take time to relax. Stress and exhaustion can both make you more prone to outbreaks

Do not use acne medications without speaking to your healthcare provider first. Some acne medications are dangerous to take during pregnancy because they contain Vitamin A. Your healthcare provider will be able to advise you which ones are safe to use.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

As if the thought of ‘morning’ sickness and constant aches is not enough a source of tension for women during pregnancy, the idea of stretch marks appearing all over your body is another thing you may dread. Stretch marks are purple or blue venous skin marks that appear on the belly, thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts of women during or after pregnancy. These marks are a result of torn collagen and are caused when the skin is stretched during this time.

Now you may be thinking of the countless celebrities that recently had babies, but have NO stretch marks! Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a celebrity or be rolling around in money to avoid getting these marks. (Theirs were probably digitally manipulated out of the photo anyway!) A few simple tips will help you have better skin.

Are Stretch Marks Dangerous?

No, there is nothing dangerous if you have stretch marks on your body. They won’t cause you any severe pain but they might be slightly itchy for some women. The marks, however, might not go away after your delivery. In some cases when the collagen damage is not severe, these marks fade away naturally with time after pregnancy, but not in all cases.

Does Every Woman Get Stretch Marks?

Most women get stretch marks during pregnancy. The biggest factor that can make these marks appear is your genetic make-up. If women on your maternal side of the family have a history of getting these marks during pregnancy, you are at a higher risk of getting them too.

Another common reason that causes stretch marks to appear is your weight gain during pregnancy. If you gain too much weight or you gain weight too rapidly, there are more chances of stretch marks appearing due to the high strain it puts on your skin.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Taking preventive measures can help you prevent stretch marks from appearing, or may help you control them so you can treat them later. Let’s see how you can have beautiful and stretch-mark-free skin:

Dry skin is more prone to getting stretched so you should keep yourself hydrated. Drink a lot of water and take fluids in order to keep your skin hydrated.
Keep your skin moisturized using skin lotion or cocoa butter. This will not only keep your skin soft and flexible but, also prevents itching.
Consume a healthy diet that keeps your skin healthy. Foods that are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids are good for the skin and the replacement of damaged collagen.
Watch your weight carefully throughout the pregnancy.

If no amount of intervention helps, be proud of your stretch marks – they are a badge of motherhood!

Written by Manal, first time mom and writer.

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