Monday 20 July 2009

Can Pregnancy Cause Acne?

Acne is a very common occurrence in pregnant women even if you haven’t experienced acne problems before. It is especially common during the first three months of the pregnancy known as the first trimester.

How is Acne Caused?
Acne is caused by the increased secretions of sebum in your skin blocking up your pores. These blocked pores become infected with a bacterium which leads to swelling and inflammation. Hormones are typically a common cause of acne and it is particularly recurrent in teenagers. Acne isn’t caused by being dirty or greasy although these conditions can make acne worse by promoting the bacteria on the skin.

Why does Pregnancy Cause Acne?
During pregnancy, from the moment your pregnancy begins the body starts to increase the levels of progesterone in your body. Progesterone is a type of hormone that is used by the body to soften tissues to prepare for the pregnancy. This increase in hormone levels causes more secretions of Sebum from your skin glands than usual. An over production of Sebum can cause your pores to get blocked and is one of the main causes of everyday acne; thus pregnancy actively increases your chances to get acne.

Will my Acne Clear Up after Pregnancy?
In most cases the Acne will clear up after just the first trimester of the pregnancy. This is because the body becomes more accustomed to the hormone changes and it begins to “level out”. If your Acne problems are persisting you should consider regular acne products and methods such as regular face washing, avoid touching your face too much and anti-inflammatory creams. Before using any medical cream or treatment even if it’s just a natural supplement you should check with your doctor before hand. Even some natural remedies may be dangerous when pregnant.

I Thought My Skin was supposed to Look Healthier?
Indeed with most women they start to get a natural healthy glow about them during pregnancy but it is also possible to get acne too. It is highly likely that you will suffer from acne during the first trimester of your pregnancy and it will then clear up and your skin will start to look every bit as healthy as you thought it would. Different women react to pregnancy in different ways, but acne is no reason for concern at all.

What Causes the Healthy Glow During Pregnancy?
Women who are pregnant are often remarked upon as having a healthy glow about them, even if we can’t quite put our finger on what gives us that impression. This is because during pregnancy the blood circulation improves and the volume of blood also increases. This means a better blood flow around the system which flushes the cheeks and makes the skin a healthy rosy red or “blushed” colour. In addition to this you may notice your skin feels smoother and softer which is due to the increased levels of progesterone in the body during pregnancy. It’s this same hormone however that can cause you problems early on in the pregnancy with acne.