Acne or acne vulgaris is a skin disease involving the sebaceous or oil glands found at the base of hair follicles. Treating Pregnancy Acne With Home Remedies is a good option. These skin eruptions are termed pregnancy acne. Pregnancy acne is one of the common issues faced by many expecting mothers.
One out of every two women experiences a breakout in the first trimester. Pregnancy acne can appear on the neck, face, back, and chest. Sometimes even on the bumps.
In This Article
- Causes Of Acne During Pregnancy
- Signs Of Pregnancy Acne
- Treating Pimples During Pregnancy
- Treating Pregnancy Acne With Home Remedies
- Do Pimples During Pregnancy Tell If It’s A Boy Or A Girl?
- Unsafe Treatments For Acne During Pregnancy
- When Do Pimples During Pregnancy Go Away?
- FAQs
Causes Of Acne During Pregnancy
Skin breakouts during pregnancy are quite common. The chief cause of the occurrence of acne during pregnancy is the changing hormonal level during the first trimester. The increasing level of hormones causes surplus production of natural oils. The condition worsens if you already have oily skin.
Also, if you have had acne during your teens, or if you do get a zit or two during menstruation, you are likely to have pregnancy acne of some degree as well. However, women who do not have acne during the first trimester are not likely to have it in the second and third trimesters as well.
Pregnancy zits are mere natural conditions occurring due to changes in hormonal levels that trigger the secretion of sebum more than normal. This extra sebum blocks your pores and creates an environment where bacteria can multiply rapidly leading to inflammations or acne on the skin.
Signs of Pregnancy Acne
The acne appears as reddish tiny bumps or eruptions on the skin. They might become filled with pus. Sometimes they are painful and itchy. Pregnancy acne can be for a few days or can last through the entire pregnancy.
Treating Pimples During Pregnancy
If treatment is advised to you or if you wish to take medical help for pregnancy acne, keep in mind that your doctor needs to approve the same for better health of you and your baby. It is safe to treat pregnancy acne with home remedies.
Some basic tips that may help with pregnancy acne are:
- Keep the acne-prone area clean and wash it with clean water two or three times a day
- Do not rub on the affected area
- Use a natural mild cleanser like rose water or raw milk for cleaning the affected area. But be gentle
- If your hair is oily, keep them clean and shampoo it regularly
- Do not squeeze or pop the acne-it can lead to scarring
- Minimize or limit the use of cosmetics in the affected region
- Take regular baths and keep your body clean. Use a mild soap or a homemade scrub to wash your face and be gentle on the skin. Do not rub harshly
- Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day. Water not only cleans your digestive system but also hydrates your skin and makes it supple and healthy
Treating Pregnancy Acne With Home Remedies:
Nothing beats home remedies when it comes to acne, and here are some ways of Treating Pregnancy Acne With Home Remedies that you could try.
Fuller Earth or Multani mitti
Make a fine paste of Multani mitti and add a few drops of rose water in it and 1-2 drops of lemon juice. Apply it evenly on the affected area. Leave for 5 minutes and wash off with tepid water. Repeat it 2-3 times a week and you will notice subsidence in acne pain and swelling
Lemon Juice
The acidic qualities of the lemon extract are very effective in curing acne. Lemon not only removes dirt clogging the acne but also softens the accumulated hard sebum. Apply lemon juice every day in the affected region for 5 minutes and then wash it off. The acne will soon be history.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is helpful in absorbing excess oil from acne and cleansing the skin pores. Mix half a teaspoon of honey in half a cup of cooked oatmeal. Now rub this mixture gently on the affected area and leave for 15 minutes. Wash off with tepid water. Repeat this three or four times a week.
Tea Tree Oil
Another simple and hassle-free remedy is the application of tea tree oil. Due to its antiseptic properties, tea tree oil clears off acne destroys bacteria and other germs. Simply apply a drop of the oil on the affected area the night.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an amazing powerhouse in treating acne. It is antiseptic and kills off bacteria. Being alkaline regulates the pH balance of your skin. Mix one part of the water with three parts of apple cider vinegar and apply it to the affected area. Leave for 10 minutes and then wash off. Apply a good herbal moisturizer afterward.
Orange mask
The tangy, refreshing oranges have unmatched antiseptic and astringent properties. They contain vitamin C and inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microbes. Grind the dried orange peels and add a few drops of rose water to this ground powder. Apply this paste on the skin and leave for 5 minutes and then wash off with clean water.
Papaya
Raw papaya is effective in treating acne. It eliminates dead skin cells and excess oil too. Mash the papaya flesh and make a smooth. Paste now and apply it on your skin for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Toothpaste
Apply toothpaste on the acne area before retiring to bed. The astringent properties of toothpaste will soon subside the acne swelling and will dry the acne too. Isn’t it the easiest and simplest home remedy?
Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda can work wonders for you. It removes the dead skin and unplugs the pores. It also normalized the pH balance of your skin and has wonderful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
Do Pimples During Pregnancy Tell If It’s a Boy Or A Girl?
The old wives take has it that pregnancy acne is an indication of the gender of the forthcoming baby. Having zits during pregnancy indicates that you are having a girl. Well, maybe too many female hormones are causing all those eruptions, eh?
Unsafe Treatments For Acne During Pregnancy
Many pregnant women wonders are ace medicines safe during pregnancy. Here are a few ‘not-to-do’ treatments for treating pregnancy acne:
- Isotretinoin is effective in combating acne spread, but its usage in pregnancy is contraindicated. It can result in serious congenital defects in newborns so do not use it
- Never use Retin A products or ointments because they can potentially harm your newborn
When Do Pimples During Pregnancy Go Away?
Just as with other pregnancy hormone-induced conditions, pregnancy acne will go away once the pregnancy is over. If you have acne scars, the same will also go away with time, and with an effective and efficient skincare regime, you will get back your glowing and clear face.
FAQs
1. How Long Until Pregnancy Acne Goes Away?
Pregnancy acne usually improves throughout the first trimester. However, more acute face and body breakouts will appear in the third trimester, when maternal androgen hormone levels begin to rise. It might take many weeks for your hormone levels to return to normal and your skin to clean up.
2. How Does Pregnancy Acne Look Like?
Acne that occurs during pregnancy appears the same as regular acne. It causes redness or pinkness, is irritating to the skin, and manifests as a pattern of little bumps. Acne during pregnancy, especially on the chest and back, however, may become more severe and show more signs of inflammation.