When a woman is expecting a baby, her body undergoes hormonal changes. A rash that appears on the face is a clear sign of changes occurring. Acne on the skin occurs in every second pregnant woman.
Sometimes they appear painlessly, and in some cases the rashes cause discomfort and pain. Why do acne appear on the face during pregnancy?
Basic information
If before pregnancy a woman’s skin was subject to rashes in the form of pimples or acne, then in an interesting situation the problem will worsen even more.
Those with clear and normal skin are also not spared from the possible occurrence of similar troubles.
Therefore, before planning a pregnancy, you should definitely discuss preventive measures and treatment of possible skin rashes with a specialist.
When a dermatologist prescribes an ointment for acne on the woman’s face, effective help will consist not only in its use, but also in the application of the entire range of preventive measures.
Pregnancy with a girl or a boy?
During pregnancy, if a woman has a lot of pimples on her face, then those around her say that the girl is taking away her beauty. And if the face is clean and there are no various rashes on it, then a boy should be born.
Many women wonder if this is true.
In science, such folk beliefs give rise to several opinions. One part of scientists comes to the conclusion that this is all just a coincidence. Others are inclined to believe that this is due to changes in a woman’s hormonal levels. The gender of the unborn child has little influence on this aspect. And this happens at a later date. And rashes in women usually appear in the initial weeks of pregnancy.
The causes of acne in an expectant mother can be many factors characterizing her condition. Whether the pregnancy is a girl or a boy is not important.
Factors that cause acne
The appearance of acne is possible in those women who had such problems before pregnancy.
Factors that cause acne during pregnancy:
- hormonal changes, which increases the level of progesterone, which promotes the production of sebum;
- increased amount of junk food for a pregnant woman (fatty, spicy and salty);
- lack of vitamins and minerals that the fetus stores;
- stressful situations that affect mental balance and cause psychological instability in a pregnant woman (constant crying, hysterics);
- liver diseases;
- violation of the drinking regime, i.e. reducing the amount of liquid drunk;
- lack of proper skin care;
- exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
- rare walks in the fresh air.
Localization of acne during pregnancy
Acne on the face during pregnancy occurs from the combined influence of many factors. When a large number of rashes appear on the face and a delay in menstruation, a woman makes the assumption that she is expecting a child. In some cases these assumptions are confirmed, and in others they are not.
The skin of the face is most susceptible to rashes. Acne can also be located on the neck, chest and upper back.
How to reduce breakouts during pregnancy?
Most often, acne appears in the early stages of pregnancy, when hormonal changes in the body are most active. When the 2nd trimester begins, the number of skin rashes decreases.
To get rid of problems, you need to seek help from a good dermatologist. He will be able to determine the causes of the problems. Possible treatment would be:
- Treating the skin with special products that do not contain alcohol.
- Taking a complex of vitamins and minerals aimed at reducing their deficiency in the body.
- Proper nutrition, aimed at including fresh fruits and vegetables in a pregnant woman’s diet.
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
- The mandatory presence of healthy cereals and fermented milk products in the diet.
- Limited intake of spicy, salty or bitter foods.
- Prevention of constipation.
To prevent acne on the face during pregnancy from appearing in large numbers, cosmetics containing fruit and glycolic acids are recommended.
Not all means to combat inflammation of the sebaceous glands are allowed to be used. Lotions with salicylic acid when used by a pregnant woman can negatively affect the functioning of the circulatory system of the unborn child.
How to fight?
It would be good if the factors that caused the rash were identified, but this will not help remove acne on a woman’s face completely.
Is it possible to squeeze out pimples on the face? This is not recommended. They need to be treated to improve the condition of the skin and prevent further rashes.
Changing hormonal levels during pregnancy is prohibited, unless the gynecologist prescribes special therapy using hormones.
To normalize the condition, you can use several recommendations:
- use clay masks, treat the skin with fruits or vegetables;
- to quickly narrow pores, use fruit peels or ice cubes with herbal infusions;
- Measures should be taken to remove sebum 2-3 times a day, avoiding drying out the skin;
- if necessary, you should use ointment for acne on the face; effective help will also consist of carefully moisturizing the skin and using products with a light texture;
- use only special cosmetics (for pregnant women), which consist of natural ingredients and have a beneficial effect on the skin;
- It is not recommended to apply foundation, but if such a need arises, only for a short time;
- The cleanser should not contain: alcohol, fragrances and hormonal components;
- Pregnant women should wash themselves without using hard washcloths.
All treatments used on the skin can improve its condition.
Treatment options
There are many traditional medicines that can be used if acne appears on the face during pregnancy. During use, it is recommended to identify components that may cause allergic reactions and treat them with caution.
If there is no known allergy, you can prevent the complication using a proven method: putting a small amount of the product on your wrist. If there is no reaction from the skin, you can proceed to cosmetic procedures.
Here are some of them:
- Mix cinnamon with high quality flower honey in equal proportions and apply to skin affected by acne or pimples. If it works, let it sit overnight.
- Wipe the skin with a piece of pumpkin, which needs to be frozen in the refrigerator.
- Apply a small amount of tea tree oil to pimples and remove if there is severe burning.
- Gently squeeze aloe juice from a plant leaf, apply to areas with inflammation, no need to rinse. Can be used to combat acne in pregnant women.
- Mix a small amount of clay with water and apply to the face. The product will help tighten pores and reduce oily shine. It is recommended to use twice a week.
- Mix equal amounts of calendula and chamomile and add hot water. Apply the cooled herbal leaves to your face for a quarter of an hour.
- Apply the remaining decoction of herbs (calendula and chamomile) with the addition of two Furacilin tablets to areas prone to rashes. You can do the procedure for several days, as a result the severity of inflammation on the skin will noticeably decrease.
It is recommended to use all products until the effect is achieved, but be sure to take breaks. During pregnancy, a woman should take care of her health so as not to harm the unborn baby.
What is prohibited?
During pregnancy, any manipulations with the skin that can lead to negative consequences are prohibited.
- If a purulent pimple appears on your face, what should you do? It is not recommended to squeeze it out, especially on the face.
- You cannot use medications and folk remedies that are prohibited for pregnant women.
- You should not constantly use foundation.
- It is not recommended to use products with components such as benzoyl peroxide and steroids.
Is it possible to prevent acne during pregnancy?
It is impossible to say for sure that acne appeared during pregnancy. They usually occur before this state.
Some girls usually have clear skin without various rashes during early pregnancy and are susceptible to the appearance of acne. And those with problem skin during pregnancy can be completely cleared of pimples and acne.
It will not be possible to accurately predict how a woman’s body will react to all the hormonal changes occurring in it.
When will acne go away in a pregnant woman?
It is difficult to say exactly when rashes and acne will go away in a pregnant woman. This largely depends on the individual characteristics of the female body.
For some girls, pimples disappear when they enter the 2nd trimester, for others they accompany the entire period of pregnancy, and even after the birth of the child.
This is largely due to the normalization of a woman’s hormonal levels.
Preventing rashes during pregnancy
Women are advised not to wait for acne to appear, but to take preventive measures aimed at preventing the formation of rashes or reducing the volume of affected skin. It is best to start prevention before conception or in the first weeks of pregnancy, because hormonal changes in the body are just beginning, and the skin has not yet responded to this with rashes.
It is necessary to properly care for your skin during pregnancy. To improve the condition of the skin and prepare it for subsequent changes, it is recommended to wash your face with gel and cleanse the skin with tonic.
Women during this period need to be especially careful when choosing cosmetics. It must be certified, suitable for your skin type and not expired.
Is it possible to squeeze out pimples on the face? You should definitely know that squeezing leads to a negative result: infection can get on clean areas of the skin, and weakened immunity will affect the duration of healing.
Experts recommend that pregnant women eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. And if possible, completely exclude foods that do not benefit the body from the diet (salty, spicy, fatty). You should definitely drink at least two liters of water a day, which helps improve metabolism and reduce inflammation.
In most cases, acne during pregnancy is temporary, and after the birth of the baby and restoration of hormonal levels, this problem will completely disappear. To treat rashes in a pregnant woman, it is better to seek qualified help rather than self-medicate.
The appearance of acne during pregnancy causes a lot of inconvenience. This article will discuss the reasons for their appearance, as well as how you can get rid of the problem during pregnancy.
Fighting acne during pregnancy
A pregnant woman has always been associated with special beauty and femininity.
But in reality, women suffer from acne that spoils their entire appearance. Where can I get away from them? What are the safest treatment methods? The answer will be given below.
Why do acne appear during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is always associated with hormonal changes in a woman’s body. The skin reacts especially sensitively to these changes. Dermatologists identify three main root cause problems.
Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal levels automatically adjust to the needs of two organisms - the mother and the fetus. The first trimester is especially famous for sudden surges in hormones. Progesterone is a useful hormone that promotes the safety of the fetus in the womb and its proper development. Without it, pregnancy is impossible.
But progesterone activates the sebaceous glands. Sebum and dead skin particles clog pores. In such an environment, bacteria multiply intensively, causing inflammation in the form of pimples and blackheads.
Skin structure
Skin consists of 70% water. During pregnancy, the body dehydrates faster. Because of this, hormones are not diluted, toxins and sebum accumulate in the pores, and the skin structure deteriorates. And this is a direct road to acne.
Oily or combination problem skin
A woman's metabolism is disrupted. The beneficial substances now go to the child. The result may be poor skin condition. It becomes more oily or combined (nose, forehead and chin - oily, cheeks - dry).
If painful acne appears during pregnancy, how to treat it
Acne is an inflammation of the skin due to clogged pores, in the form of individual pimples. Acne is an accumulation of pimples followed by the formation of scars (the effect of “bruised” skin).
Acne and acne on the face, forehead, chin
More often than not, it is the face that suffers from acne, because that is where the most sebaceous glands are located. Acne on the face is a wake-up call about the presence of diseases in the body:
- Ditso. Rashes on the face are a sign of problems with the gastrointestinal tract and gynecology.
- Forehead. The functioning of the intestines and stomach is disrupted.
- Chin. Acne appears after suffering from colds, seborrhea (painful skin condition), problems in endocrinology and gynecology.
On the chest and shoulders
Pimples form on the chest due to changes in the hormonal background of a pregnant woman. This is largely due to poor nutrition.
Shoulders suffer from skin inflammation due to:
- failure to comply with hygiene rules;
- wearing tight synthetic clothing;
- metabolic disorders;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract, digestion, thyroid gland;
- influence of heat;
- long hair;
- bad habits;
- improper nutrition.
How to deal with back acne during pregnancy
Pimples on the back are very painful and cause a lot of inconvenience, as they have the shape of tubercles. The causes of acne on the back may be the following:
- allergy;
- viral infection;
- liver problems;
- increased sweating due to heat or synthetic clothing;
- unhealthy food (soda, fast food, large amounts of sweets).
A dermatologist or nutritionist will choose a balanced protein diet consisting of vegetables, fruits and cooked meat. This will significantly improve the condition of the skin on your back. If your diet changes, your acne will also begin to go away.
Acne on the body
Acne can also appear on the arms, legs, stomach and buttocks. The rash itself, in some places, is not dangerous for the baby in the womb. This is just discomfort for the mother. The danger is represented by the reasons for its appearance, or too large an area affected by the rash (sepsis occurs).
Traditional methods: how can you safely treat?
Face masks are very effective in combating acne during this period. They are applied twice a week. Masks can be made:
- Fruit:
- strawberry;
- raspberry;
- grape;
- apricot;
- apple with lemon juice;
- cinnamon + honey
2. Clay (blue, black, white, green).
Instead of lotions in the morning, it is advisable to use ice cubes based on herbs (chamomile, rose, calendula, sage, aloe). A replacement for tonics will be salicylic acid (followed by application of a hypoallergenic cream). And to tighten the pores, you can take herbal steam baths.
How to determine the gender of a child by rashes: boy or girl
It is believed that if a mother has acne, she will have a girl (she takes away all the beauty of the mother). If there is no acne, it will be a boy. But this is just a myth. It is impossible to determine the gender of a child by the presence and number of acne on the body.
What not to do
It is important for a pregnant woman to be careful about food and certain procedures. But there is something she absolutely cannot do:
- take medications and antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription;
- eat large quantities of fatty, salty, spicy foods;
- do facial cleansing, peelings, laser hair removal and phototherapy;
- squeeze out pimples yourself (the immune system is weakened and wounds will take longer to heal);
- touching your face with dirty hands;
- be nervous.
A woman should remain a woman at any time, especially when pregnant. You need to take care of yourself and take preventive measures to improve the condition of your skin. But doing this is not detrimental to the health of your unborn baby.
Useful video
A pregnant woman undergoes a significant transformation over the course of 9 months. Many people say that all pregnant women look somehow especially beautiful, because being a mother suits you so well! But against the backdrop of other external changes - an enviably rounded tummy, breast enlargement, changes in the condition of the hair, the appearance of a mysterious sparkle in the eyes - this very face does not always look as harmonious as we would like. Pigment spots may suddenly appear on it (the so-called pregnancy mask) or acne, exactly the same as in teenagers, may bloom.
Causes of acne during pregnancy
People say that girls take away beauty from a woman, so the appearance of acne during pregnancy was considered an indirect sign of the birth of a daughter. But there is another version that acne indicates that a woman is carrying a boy. In fact, gender determination and acne during pregnancy have nothing to do with each other. Their appearance is determined by hormones.
As you know, the hormonal background of a pregnant woman is constantly changing, very actively and violently, and the consequences of these changes are very difficult to predict. Theoretically, the higher the progesterone level and the greater the “amplitude of fluctuations” of the hormones, the more likely it is that a woman will break out. Most often this occurs already in the first trimester of pregnancy.
The hormone progesterone, in addition to performing its direct functions of maintaining pregnancy, significantly increases the production of sebum. And this is precisely the cause of acne, because the pores of the skin become very clogged.
The likelihood of acne during pregnancy and when the female body is dehydrated increases. At the same time, the concentration of hormones in the blood increases, and the manifestations in the form of acne intensify.
How to deal with acne during pregnancy?
You are unlikely to be able to change your hormonal levels to eliminate acne. The process goes on by itself, naturally. And all that remains for you is to come to terms with this temporary trouble. Remember: acne does not pose any danger to the child and the pregnancy itself, but this is the most important thing now. But, of course, we also don’t forget about aesthetics and skin health.
Daily hygienic skin care is a must! And with its indispensable hydration. The idea that oily skin does not need to be moisturized is wrong. Choose high-quality soft skin care cosmetics - without alcohol, fragrances, salicylic acid, hormones and other unwanted ingredients.