Does pregnancy cause acne?

Does Pregnancy Cause Acne? With the inception of pregnancy physical changes start to appear and in many cases, appearance of acne is one of them, Proliferation of acne with the advent of pregnancy gives rise to the question,” does pregnancy cause acne?” apparently it does but for fact finding we need to know more about the pregnancy acne. 

Can pregnancy cause acne?

The first three months of pregnancy are of critical importance on account of a multitude of physical and chemical changes. An array of hormones like Progesterone, Relaxin, Endophins, Oxytocin and estrogens are activated to take care of different functions such as softening of ligaments, stress fighting, milk production etc. Of these female hormones, estrogene imparts female characters while progesterone is inclined to impart male characters like androgens (testosterone). 

Which bacteria cause acne infection? 

In the early months of pregnancy, progesterone is produced in excess to estrogens and acting like testosterone causes excessive production of sebum (hair oil). This oil is subject to disintegration by acne causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acne). Other bacteria which are commonly found on human skin like the pus causing bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) also infect the oil rich sites.  

Hormonal see-saw 

Production of progesterone and estrogen, before during and after pregnancy, goes up and down like a see-saw. It is due to the oscillation between these two hormones that most of the women without any signs of acne before pregnancy experience it during pregnancy and through the hormonal shift mechanism, get rid of it automatically, just after three months of pregnancy or after delivery. In isolated cases acne may persist, requiring medical attention as the situation may call for a hormonal treatment. 

A pregnancy acne treatment 

We should never shun to learn regardless of wherefrom the learning comes. It is customary in some Eastern countries to place a picture of the most beautiful infant of the family, family friends or other dear near ones, close to the expecting mother where she may oft see it. Logic behind it is ‘you are what you think’. When you fancy an infant face with smooth, glowing pink and rosy skin, you are very likely to develop these traits within yourself prior to the realization of your imagination.

This is why sometimes you hear very beautiful comments about your glowing skin during pregnancy. Believe it or not, this alone is the best treatment of acne during pregnancy. Just think beautifully, and keep acne away. It is a double effect treatment, equally good for mother and child.

General precautions 

• Cleanse your face with mild cleansers free of detergents
• Disinfect regularly, remembering that cleaning does not entail disinfection.
• Avoid all sorts of self medication inclusive of topical treatments.
• Avoid consumption of sugar and processed foods ( burgers, pizza, pasta, lasania, white bread, filled chocolates)
• reduce consumption of hydrogenated vegetable fats
• Use olive oil in preference to hydrogenate vegetable fats, Tran fats and omega-6 fats
• Consume more of salads, fruits and boiled vegetables. Do not forget to consume broccoli freely.