The Sudden Suprise of Pregnancy Acne
Acne is extremely common in pregnant women. Many times, women who have never experienced acne before will suffer from cases of pregnancy acne. Women who regularly suffer from acne often experience outbreaks that are much more frequent and severe.
Throughout pregnancy, the levels of hormones in a woman’s body undergo many changes. Increased production of androgens lead to overactive sebaceous glands in the skin. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum. The sebum picks up little bits of dead skin cells creating a sticky glue that blocks the pores, making a perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. As the bacteria multiplies under the clogged pore, it begins to irritate and inflame the skin, causing a little red bump, which we know as a pimple.
Fortunately, there are many different treatments available to combat pregnancy acne. There is a wide variety of anti-acne creams that may help to relieve some of the symptoms, but they will not prevent the acne altogether. Since hormone levels are changing all the time during the various stages of pregnancy, it is possible for the acne to simply vanish just as quickly as it appeared.
In the meantime, there are several things you can do to get some relief from your pregnancy acne. For starters, it is really important to regularly cleanse your skin, especially on your face. Make sure you use a mild soap or facial cleanser, as harsh chemicals can actually worsen your symptoms. After washing, apply a skin moisturizer to keep the skin fresh and moist, but make sure it has no oil in it. When washing your face, do not vigorously scrub your face with a washcloth – this can worsen the irritation and inflammation. Instead, gently wash your skin using your hands, and pat your skin dry with a soft clean towel.
Many people believe that popping their pimples will make them heal faster. This is completely untrue, and can worsen your acne for a couple of reasons. Popping the pimple releases the acne causing bacteria onto your skin, allowing it to spread and cause more pimples. Not only will it make the outbreak worse, the damage left behind will be greater. When you pop the pimple, it will leave a deep mark on your face, which may not heal completely. When a pimple heals on its own, it generally leaves behind little to no mark, except in extreme cases.
Wearing makeup can drastically worsen many forms of acne, including pregnancy acne. Many types of makeup will clog the pores of your skin, leaving the perfect environment for an acne outbreak. If you insist on wearing makeup, make sure they are water based instead of oil based. These are much less likely to clog your pores. If you use a makeup remover, make sure it is not too harsh, as this can also increase inflammation and worsen an outbreak.
While pregnancy acne may be an uncomfortable condition, it is rarely severe enough to leave a lasting impression. In most cases, it clears up within a few months of appearing. By keeping your skin clean and avoiding oil based makeup, you can drastically limit the amount of breakouts, and possibly keep the acne away altogether.
Acne | admin August 25, 2010 | 
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