Acne Treatments In Pregnancy At A Glance
- Best Results3-6 treatments
- Treatment Recovery0 days
- Procedure Time10 minutes
- Skin SpecialistNurse, Dermatologist
- Duration of ResultsYears+
- AnaestheticNil required
- Back to WorkImmediately
- Cost$
Treating Acne In Pregnancy
Acne is very common in pregnancy. Apart from dealing with all the hormonal changes of pregnancy, over 50% of women will develop significant skin changes associated with pregnancy. Skin changes include acne, increased pigmentation called melasma, as well as increased blood vessels. Fortunately the Specialists at Cutis Dermatology are experts in treating all these conditions. We use a combination of creams, natural chemical peels & phototherapy to treat acne in pregnancy. This combination is effective, but most importantly pregnancy safe.
FactsFacts on acne in pregnancy
- Hormonal changes in pregnancy can lead to acne
- Other skin changes in pregnancy include pigmentation and increased blood vessels and red spots
- The most common time for acne to flare up is within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy
- Specialists can provide safe treatment options during and after your pregnancy
- Creams, fruit acid peels, and medically prescribed phototherapy can improve acne during all stages of pregnancy and the breastfeeding period
Why do I have acne during pregnancy?
The primary cause of acne during pregnancy is the increased levels of hormone during the first trimester. This increase of hormones also elevates the production of natural oils from your sebaceous (acne) glands. If you are acne free during your first 3 months of pregnancy, you have a good chance you will be acne free for the remainder of your pregnancy.
What treatments can be safe to treat acne when I am pregnant?
Some acne treatments (vitamin A creams & tablets) are unsafe in pregnancy, however there are safe and effective treatment methods to help reduce acne and minimise acne scars.
Medication that is applied to the skin or swallowed can enter your bloodstream so it’s important that you only use safe medications in pregnancy. Safe treatments options for acne in pregnancy include –
- Benzoyl peroxide
such as proactive and Benzac AC wash and gel. Benzac AC is stronger and cheaper than Proactive. - Light treatments including Omnilux & Healite Phototherapy
super safe as light treatment are directed o acne pronares, this can eliminate the need for medications, and can hold back acne for a few months, never use this as a cure for acne, because it doesn’t work! Specialist use this treatment as adjunctive, especially in the setting of pregnancy. omnilux or Healite Blue phototheraphy trets more superficial lesions, whilst red light phototheraphy penetratesto deeper acne lesions. Acne phototheraphy is safe, painless and can be effective in holding back acne. - Antibiotic classes
Clindamycin and Erythomycin tablets are safe, however most Specialist will try to avoid them if possible. - Gels and lotions
Eryacne or Clindatech as well as Azelaic acid (Finacea) are absolutely safe in pregnancy. - Over the counter solutions
Include azelaic acid, niacinamide, ascorbic acid (pigmentation post acne), Tea Tree Oil & Witch Hazel. AHAs including glycolic & lactic acids are safe, as are 2% Salicylic Acid Washes. - Diets
You have head that in some cases diet can improve acne, especially if you are on a high sugar diet. Most commonly acne in pregnancy is not diet related, however being on the acne diet can marginally help your condition.
Which skin care products can I use at home?
If you’re looking at treating acne in pregnancy – DIY or home treatments are a sensible option. For a detailed review on possible ingredients, head over to the skin care section on this website.
As a quick guide-
- Wash: Salicylic Acid 2% as tolerated. Neutrogena makes a good one.
- Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory & is safe in pregnancy.
- Vitamin C can reduce acne scars & pigmentation from acne spots.
- Azelaic acid is a favourite amongst dermatologist.
- Green tea & tea tree oil can be effective.
What acne treatments are unsafe in pregnancy?
Unfortunately the best treatments for acne during pregnancy either target the oil gland or inhibit the hormones that promote acne in the first place. Additionally the best antibiotics are unsafe in pregnancy.
Unsafe treatments in pregnancy include the following medications-
- Roaccutane or Accutane- Oratane. This is a tablet that has changed the way we treat severe scarring acne, and remains as the best tablet to treat acne, however this is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. That is because the drug can have very serious effects on the developing baby, and in the majority of times will cause birth defects.
- Creams containing Vitamin A, such as Differin, Zorac, Epiduo, Retreive and Stifel A. No scientific evidence that creams cause birth defects in humans, but on the side of caution, you should not use Vitamin A products during pregnancy.
- Antibiotics such as Tetracyclines, Minocycline are not indicated in pregnant women with acne
- Hormone treatments such as Cyperterone Acetate and Spironolactone are not safe in pregnancy.
- Retinol & salicylic acid (>2%) are not indicated in pregnancy.
Your dermatologist will guide you as to what can be taken safely after the delivery of your baby.
View our Treatment Gallery
What can be done to minimise acne scarring?
Simple tips can minimise acne scarring during this difficult time of your life, however they can make a dramatic difference.
- Wash your face twice a day. Use a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil wash, or QV wash. Avoid harsh exfoliants.
- After cleansing, avoid rubbing your face with a towel. Pat dry instead.
- Above all- avoid scratching, picking or popping your pimples. This can lead to infection and is the number one cause of scarring.
- If you use cosmetics ensure that they are oil free and non-comedogenic. Mineral make up is a good starting point.
- Avoid toners and alcohol based lotions- they can strip your skin of protective oils and cause unwanted skin irritation.
- Simple LLED treatments can heal acne lesions & decrease skin inflammation.
- Treating acne EARLY & effectively mitigates acne scars.
What can be done to treat acne scarring during pregnancy?
The first step is to minimise scarring (see above). Treating acne scarring during pregnancy can be tricky. Laser treatment has no adverse effects on the developing baby, however the procedure can cause unwanted stress in some mothers. I do not to treat pregnant women with laser. Solutions however are possible-
- Chemical peels with Fruit acids called AHAs are safe in pregnancy and can be a modest way of treating acne and early scarring
- LLEDs with red light as a natural method of scar revision (called low level laser treatment). Red light also activates porphyrins found in bacteria associated acne. This reaction can kill unwanted bacteria associated with acne lesions.
What role does acne phototherapy such as Omnilux or Healite play in treating acne in pregnancy?
Phototherapy using non-laser light can improve acne lesions and can suppress up to 90% of pimples and outbreaks. Two wavelengths of light can be utilized to treat acne lesions.
Blue light phototherapy: Devices such as OMNILUX BLUE, Crystalite Blue, Healite LED, & BBL Blue filtered light delivers blue light in the 405-415 nm spectrum. This targets superficial lesions of acne by destroying acne-forming bacteria.
Red light phototherapy: Devices such as OMNILUX RED, Crystalite Red LED, Healite LED & Aktalite delivers red light in the 630 nm range. This wavelength of light targets deeper acne lesions compared to blue light phototherapy.
Acne phototherapy treatment takes a few painless minutes to perform, and is safe to both mum and baby, and is the ideal method of treating acne in pregnancy. Book an appointment with my clinical team @cutis_dermatology for treatments.
Will the acne go away after pregnancy?
Hard to make a call on this one! In some cases acne subsides when hormone levels return to normal, however at least 50% of patients will have persistent acne. What acne treatments are suitable will depend whether you breast-feed or not.
Acne phototherapy sessions can be carried forth through out breastfeeding, and the majority of creams are safe during this period.
Retinoids are one the most widely used molecules in #dermatology
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🔬Skin science: OTC retinoids require conversion to retinoic acid to exert their effects. More steps in conversion, the gentler the formulation. Retinoids are the mainstay treatment for #acne, oily skin, as well as anti-aging. They can also treat pigmentation, enlarged pores, as well as disorders of keratinisation & even some forms of skin cancer
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👍🏻💯Tips: start with a gentle formulation such as retinyl palmitate or better still retinol 0.5% if you have sensitive skin. It can take up to 3-4 months before you build up tolerance. If there is no skin irritation, increase application frequency & strength
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👉Advanced users: Try priming your skin with chemical exfoliators such as AHAs or physical exfoliation/#microdermabrasion/ sensible #skinneedling to improve bioavailability
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📖 Read my latest blog on #retinaldehyde at @theformulated website
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😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@drdavinlim @theformulated
Brisbane🇦🇺
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#dermatology #drdavinlim #davinlim #skincarescience #skincarebasics #instaskincare #skincarecommunity #cosmeticdoctor #dermatologist #retinol #retinoids #retinolskincare #retinaldehyde #skincaretips #skincarereviews #skincarecommunity #dermatologistbrisbane #skinrejuvenation #aesthetics #retinoidskincare #retinoicacid #antiaging #theformulated
Some killer combo's for improving acne at home! I recommend finding a product that combines the ingredients, rather than applying or mixing yourself, particularly for retinol and AHAs as the formulation in question was tested for irritation potential. More combo's coming your way soon 💯
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🎬 Action: See some of my favourite products online or in-store at @theformulated. If you’re in Brisbane and unsure what your skin needs, see my colleague Shannae for a skin assessment.
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Dr Davin Lim 😎
Dermatologist
Brisbane AU 🇦🇺
SALICYLIC ACID 🧼
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👉🏻 works within the pore to target:
🎯 dirt
🎯 dead skin
🎯 bacteria & oil
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By using salicylic acid in your wash/cleanser, pores are nourished and your skin will slowly become supple with less break outs💡
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🎬 @theformulated sell a great range of salicylic acid cleansers 😶🌫️
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⚠️ Caution: salicylic acid isn’t suitable for everyone. Because of its oil soluble properties it can be irritating for sensitive and dry skin.
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Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@theformulated @cliniccutis 🇦🇺
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#drdavinlim #skincareguru #salicylicacid #cleanpores #skincaretips #skincareroutine #skincareaddict #skincare #skintips101 #skiningredients
Adult acne is a unique subset of ‘acne’. Read more, share if you find this post useful, & comment as to what works for you🙏🏼
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🔬Skin Science: #acne has 4 characteristic features- excess oil, inflammation, bacteria overgrowth & abnormal shedding of cells in the oil gland itself. This is modified by hormones, diet, stress, #skincareproducts & lifestyle
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👧🏻Teenage acne is due to hormones (puberty), genetics & diet. In most cases #pimples are self-limiting & simple products including #benzoylperoxide (main ingredient in #proactiv) are effective
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👩🏼🦱Adult acne is more challenging to treat as it is multifactorial; lifestyle factors, hormones, stress & diet are all causes. See below for some helpful hints
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📋Make Up: Oil free, mineral, paraben & talc free; non-comedogenic- many choices. Remember to let your skin breathe - always remove makeup before sleeping!
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🩺When to see a #dermatologist? Treating #adultacne effectively is super important, as this form of acne is usually persistent. #acnecysts are more resistant to treatment compared to #zits & blackheads (more superficial). See a derm early if you have scarring acne, or if OTC products don’t work
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🎬Action: My colleague @dr.hebajibreal is dual Board Certified & will get your acne under control. Appointments @cliniccutis
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😎Davin's Protip: The majority of acne scars in adults are the result of delayed action to control acne; especially important if one picks. If you suffer from late onset acne give home therapy a go for 6 weeks, for those who suffer from persistent & resistant acne, see a medical #dermatologist early. Control/prevention = less or no #acnescars
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Dr Davin Lim
BrisVegas🇦🇺
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#hormonalacne #healthyskin #skincaretips #nomoreacne #blemishfree
What can be done to treat acne scarring after pregnancy?
Lots! Even though treatments such as laser therapy are safe in pregnancy we do not perform any scar revision during pregnancy due the potential stress of the procedure for some patients. By seeing a dermatologist during pregnancy, we can place you on a program to minimise your acne scarring prior to delivery.
Post pregnancy treatments such as fractional lasers & vascular laser can be used to treat red acne scars, depending on the type of acne scars. Solutions are always possible.
How can a Dermatologist help you through acne in pregnancy?
Medical dermatologists can assist you thru this difficult time. We can combine safe treatment methods such as creams, lotions, & low-level light treatment such as phototherapy to improve your acne during pregnancy. We also co-ordinate with your GP and your obstetrician in regards to your treatment and will come up with a solution no matter how difficult the situation.
Davin’s Viewpoint on treating acne during pregnancy
Dealing with pregnancy is difficult enough, but dealing with acne breakouts can really be frustrating. Pregnancy causes skin changes such as increased oil production as well as increased pigmentation, a condition known as melasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Most of the skin changes occur within the first trimester, and can carry through pregnancy. The most important thing to consider with acne treatment in pregnancy is safety. As a rule most dermatologists only use creams, washes, lotions and low-level light treatment.
Red or Blue light therapy, such as Healite can reduce the bacterial counts, & decrease acne lesions. In most cases low level light therapy can treat & prevent acne scars. Importantly acne phototherapy is safe for both mum and the unborn child. Dermatologists do not like to use phototherapy as a stand-alone treatment because this is only a temporary fix for acne at best. The use of this method in pregnancy is adjunctive, essentially holding the acne back until delivery.
Chemical peels with fruit acids, such as medium strength Alpha Hydroxy Acid peels can be very effective in blackhead acne, and can have a mild to modest improvement in acne scarring. Like acne phototherapy, AHAs are safe in pregnancy. Sensible skin care can be used at home.
Disclaimer: I do NOT treat acne, as this is a medical. I only manage acne scars.
