While bringing a precious little one into the world is a
joyous occasion, there are also the not-so-joyous effects of those pregnancy
hormones, including acne. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, there is a
rise in progesterone and other androgens that can increase oil production and
formation of acne. For many women, acne
improves in the second trimester and onward, but for others (myself included!)
breakouts can persist throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum period.
While several traditional acne treatments are contraindicated during pregnancy,
thankfully there are several safe treatment options available to help you get
that pregnancy glow.
Over-the-counter
topicals and washes
·
Alpha-hydroxy acid (eg. Glycolic acid)
containing peels, washes, and creams
o These
are essentially fruit acids
·
Benzoyl peroxide washes and creams (eg. Panoxyl
wash)
Topical
prescriptions
·
Azelaic acid (Finacea) gel or foam
o This
may also be helpful for that pesky pigmentation (melasma) that occurs during
pregnancy.
·
Clindamycin or Erythromycin topical lotion, gel,
or solution
o Topical
antibiotics that help reduce the amount of acne-producing bacteria on the skin
Oral Antibiotics
While we typically try to avoid oral medications during
pregnancy if possible, there are a few safe options if acne continues to worsen
despite topical treatments.
·
Azithromycin
·
Erythromycin
·
Cephalexin
Light Therapy
Blue light therapy or photodynamic therapy is an
in-office therapeutic option for acne, which involves shining a blue light on
the face for several minutes at regular intervals. This is often not covered by
insurance but provides a safe option during pregnancy.
What isn’t safe?
Acne medications such as isotretinoin (Accutane),
doxycycline, minocycline, and spironolactone are absolutely contraindicated
during pregnancy due to a risk of birth defects. While absorption is likely
quite low, topical retinoids, including tretinoin, adapalene, retinol, and tazarotene
are also not recommended. As several of these medications can come in
combination prescription drugs and over-the-counter creams, make sure to check
the ingredients on your prescriptions and moisturizers to avoid these.
Additionally, products containing salicylic acid and sodium sulfacetamide are
discouraged, both of which can be found in over-the-counter acne products.
The recommendations while breastfeeding are typically
similar to those during pregnancy, but when in doubt, please consult your
doctor first.
If you are one of the many of us that struggle with acne
during and after pregnancy, we would love to help you get on a safe and
effective regimen!
