Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : October 9, 2014 5:09 PM IST
Acne during pregnancy is way too common. It happens due to the hormonal changes that cause other pregnancy troubles too. The raging hormones that speed up the process of metabolism and other physiological functions in the body during pregnancy, triggers the sebaceous glands beneath the skin to produce more oil and sebum. This sebum combined with dead cells, dirt and grime blocks the pores on your face, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. This gives rise to those little red or white bumps all over your face called acne. Read a pregnant woman's guide to treating acne during pregnancy.
No matter how annoying your acne might be during pregnancy, it is wise to leave it as it is. This is because, once your hormones settle after your labour, acne is bound to leave you without causing much trouble. In case you want to treat your acne, talk to your gynecologist first and decide on the course of action.
Remember, picking up an OTC product to treat acne at this time isn't the ideal thing to do. The reason being, acne treatment creams have a component in them called retinoic acid that is contra-indicative in pregnancy. Experts believe that excessive use of acne creams containing retinoic acid can harm the unborn child in some way. In fact oral use of medications to treat acne that contain the same component can also lead to birth defects in the child. It is best to refrain from self treating acne during your pregnancy. Know about all foods that's in your kitchen and can help you keep acne at bay.
To prevent occurrence of acne during pregnancy,
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