Acne is a common inconvenience during pregnancy. For any woman who already struggles with her skin, acne may worsen during pregnancy. It also occurs in women who have never before suffered from acne. It may be tempting to grab that old prescription from your medicine cabinet or use someone else's skin cream. However, some acne medications have a history of being particularly dangerous to a developing baby. It is important to speak to a medical professional before attempting to self-treat acne during pregnancy to avoid potential adverse effects on the baby.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is the acne-fighting ingredient found in most over-the-counter (OTC) acne products. It is found in washes and scrubs as well as creams. It works by fighting the bacteria that causes acne and regulating oil production. According to information on benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy from BabyPartner.com, benzoyl peroxide is considered safe by most physicians for use during pregnancy because only a very small amount of benzoyl peroxide is absorbed when it's applied to the skin. The most common side effect of benzoyl peroxide use is excessive dryness of the skin. This can be remedied by using an oil-free moisturizer after each benzoyl peroxide application.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is the topic of debate when it comes to use during pregnancy. This acne-fighting ingredient gets deep into pores to clean out debris. It is also in the aspirin family and reduces inflammation caused by acne. Washes, toners and peels are all acne treatments that may contain salicylic acid. According to BabyCenter, large doses of salicylic acid in oral form have been shown to cause birth defects and other pregnancy complications. Most over-the-counter acne products contain a 2 percent concentration of topical salicylic acid. Salicylic acid in this small amount is not thought to be dangerous to a developing fetus, but most doctors will use caution and recommend that pregnant women avoid salicylic acid entirely.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for acne because they are effective at fighting the bacteria that causes acne and reducing inflammation. However, some oral antibiotics may not be safe for use during pregnancy. Tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline are commonly prescribed antibiotics that shouldn't be taken during pregnancy. According to the American Academy of Dermatology's AcneNet, "These broad-spectrum oral antibiotics can inhibit bone growth and discolor permanent teeth in both a fetus and a child being breast fed." For severe acne, speak to a physician about antibiotics that may be safe for use during pregnancy.
Retinoids
Retinoids are a highly effective prescription form of acne treatment. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin and adapalene are applied to the skin in the form of a cream or a gel. They work to slowly unclog pores and prevent new comedones from forming. All topical retinoinds carry warnings because it is unknown whether or not these medications will harm a developing fetus or a breastfeeding infant.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid, is widely recognized as the most effective acne treatment available. A session of isotretinoin treatment lasts four to six months, and often yields permanent clearing of acne. Unfortunately, isotretinoin is also a very dangerous medication for a developing fetus. A high incidence of severe birth defects has been associated with isotretinoin use. Women of childbearing age are required to use two reliable forms of birth control when undergoing isotretinoin treatment, and anyone planning to become pregnant should discontinue treatment for at least one month prior to trying to get pregnant. If pregnancy occurs during isotretinoin treatment, the medication must be stopped immediately.
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