Acne and Pregnancy. How to Treat It Safely
When it comes to cosmetic dermatology, acne is one of the most commonly treated conditions. Even pregnancy can’t stop acne from wreaking havoc on your skin. But is it safe to treat acne while you’re pregnant? Here are a few of the safest acne treatment methods to use during pregnancy.
How to Treat Acne While Pregnant
Gentle Cleanser
If you’re wary of using any over-the-counter acne treatments during your pregnancy, it’s best to start with a gentle cleanser on your problem areas. If you’re unsure which cleanser is right for your skin type, it’s a good idea to check with your dermatologist. It’s likely that they can recommend a cleanser that not only helps you fight acne, but also one that can keep your skin moisturized and balanced, too. Use your cleanser twice daily on areas where breakouts frequently occur. If you don’t see any signs of improvement, it may be time to explore a few other acne treatment options that are safe to use while you’re pregnant.
Salicylic Acid
You can find salicylic acid in countless over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments. Not only can this treatment help clear up acne, but it can help you avoid acne scars, as well. Fortunately, salicylic acid is also considered relatively safe as an acne treatment to use while you’re dealing with pregnancy. That being said, you shouldn’t be using it for an extended period of time during your pregnancy. In most cases, your dermatologist will recommend using salicylic acid as a spot treatment for problem areas. In addition, it’s important to only use it when absolutely necessary. Since products applied to the skin may make their way into the bloodstream, the utmost care should be taken to protect your unborn child.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This is another common ingredient found in acne treatments that can be obtained in both over-the-counter and prescription forms. It’s safe to use during pregnancy, as well. Much like salicylic acid, it’s recommended that you only use this product for a limited time during your pregnancy. For this reason, you shouldn’t rush into purchasing an acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide in it. Instead, it’s important to consult with both your obstetrician and your dermatologist before you begin using any product with benzoyl peroxide in it while you’re pregnant.
Light Therapies
While light therapy might seem a little bit intense for treating acne during pregnancy, it’s actually one of the safest methods of treatment. During a light therapy session, a dermatologist will shine one of several different types of UV or LED light on your skin, depending on the type of acne issues you’re having. As with any acne treatment during pregnancy, it’s important to make an appointment for a consultation with your dermatologist before pursuing any kind of laser or light therapy treatment.
Dealing with acne and pregnancy at the same time can feel like an impossible challenge. If you have questions about your treatment options, set up a consultation with our team at North Pacific Dermatology so we can get started and help you.