Managing Acne During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the skin of most women glows with health. However, some women, especially the ones with a previous history of acne or women with oily skin might suddenly experience acne breakouts. Acne breakout during pregnancy is a harmless condition, which subsides naturally after childbirth.
Once again, just like other bothersome physical problems, hormonal imbalance is thought to be responsible for acne flare-ups during pregnancy. Acne might not be confined to your facial skin during pregnancy. It might appear on your body as well.
If you are not prepared to stand the acne menace throughout your pregnancy, you can choose common home remedies to reduce acne breakouts. Reducing the excessive oiliness of the skin might prevent acne. However, regulating oil secretion of your skin is not an easy task. Washing your face with a mild soap or oil free face wash twice a day might help to remove excess oil, grime and dirt build up from your face. However, do not wash your face too often. Excessive washing will irritate your skin and aggravate oil secretion.
Perhaps a homemade toner might refresh your facial skin and reduce acne breakouts. Rose water could be used as a toner. You can prepare a toner by adding few drops of rose hip essential oil or lemon essential oil to a cup of water. Take a handful of basil or mint leaves and simmer them in water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool the mixture and use it as a toner. Make a face mask by blending sandalwood paste, turmeric paste and basil leaf juice. Apply the face mask once a day to your face and neck. Remember to avoid oil based makeups.
During pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid acne medications. Topical acne medications containing salicylic acid, retinoid or vitamin A might harm the fetus. However, occasionally physicians prescribe azelain acid or benzoyl peroxide based topical acne ointments for treating acne during pregnancy. Oral antibiotics for treating acne should be avoided during pregnancy. Tetracycline and irsotretinoin medications could cause miscarriage, stillbirths and birth defects.