There are two major factors that turn acne more prevalent with pregnancy – the hormone progesterone and alteration in hydration. Progesterone is the hormone, which makes the basis of implantation healthy for the fertilized ovum. The ovary does it, but after the 1 st trimester it is generally the placenta that gets involved in it. Besides causing implantation stable, it will relax the smooth muscles also that prevent premature labor, though it produces constipation. It looses-up the joints, especially the hip/pubic joint that makes more space for the infant to fit through on the way out during childbirth.

But, due to progesterone that is more androgenic (male hormone-like) than estrogen, it will also cause the secretions of the skin glands to elevate that again leads to more acne during pregnancy.

Hydration is hard to keep up with when the woman is pregnant. But drinking about 6-8 glasses of water daily will not only dilute-out those secretions improving acne conditions, but also contributes to the relaxations of the uterus and even helps with the constipations. Hydration cannot be considered as acne cure, but it assists healing.

Many of the modern allopathic general practitioners suggest application of skin creams that have erythromycin and other antibiotics. However, it is to be prescribed with caution and there, advise from the obstetrician might be needed. Dermatologists are generally quite sensitive to and knowledgeable of pregnancies, and they would work with your doctor while prescribing such lotions. A tetracycline pill, the standard treatment for acne, is absolutely prevented during pregnancy since it can permanently discolor the unborn infant’s teeth or even theoretically produce bone deformities.

The women during her pregnancies should first consult the healthcare provider before taking any sort of medicines. The doctor may prescribe some drugs to the pregnant women such as Retin-A, Accutane and/or some antibiotics. The overuse of such drugs should not be done as they all can affect pregnancy. Let us have some quick glance on these all treatments for acne during pregnancy -

Retin-A

This is also popular as Tretinoin. This is a lotion that is applied onto the affected area to reduce acne during pregnancy. However, the pregnant woman should consult the dermatologist before going for it.

Accutane

This is readily available in the form of pill or tablet and said to be the best medication that can be taken orally to treat the zits during pregnancy. It is also called as Isotretinoin. Taking such medication can lead to the miscarriage and stillbirth during pregnancy. Therefore, one should be extremely careful taking this and it is to be taken under very strict medical observation.

Antibiotic - tetracycline

It is an antibiotic that can be taken orally for treating respiratory infections and acnes. The healthcare provider should be consulted as taking this medication might lead to discoloration of teeth and bone growth in embryo of the pregnant woman.

Some tips to reduce acne during pregnancy

• Pregnant woman should clean the skin to keep it oil free during pregnancy.
• She can also use oil absorbing micro-fiber cloth while cleaning her face to deepen the oil from the face as mildly cleaning.
• She should keep her hands away from the acne and rub gently when washing to keep the potential to spread for bacteria to other parts of her body.
• Pregnant woman with pimples should regularly perform exercises since they improve the blood circulation flow and thus helps the skin to tone-up and become healthy.
• The woman can also control acne during pregnancy by frequently washing acne with distilled water and herbal soap containing Neem.
• If the woman suffers from acne during pregnancy, she should never rub near acne or onto acne as it smears the bacteria and she the experiences more zits.
• Before consuming fruits and vegetables, they are to be washed removing herbicides, pesticides and other materials that affect the growing infant and the health of the skin.
• She should keep the skin dry and use an oil-free moisturiser 5 min after drying the skin.