Acne during pregnancy is not something to be alarmed about. It is mainly caused by increased hormone levels during the first trimester, which increases the skin’s production of natural oils. A pregnant woman is at a higher risk of developing pregnancy acne if she normally gets acne flare ups at the start of her menstrual cycle.
The good news is that one can manage this hormonal acne by following a few prevention measures.
Avoid touching your faceThis is an important skin rule that should be followed before, during and after pregnancy. Throughout the day, our hands come into contact with bacteria on everyday surfaces. Avoid transferring this same bacteria to your face by keeping your hands off it.
Don’t pop any pimplesIrritating your breakouts not only transfers bacteria, popping pimples increases skin irritation which will result in scarring. Additionally, popping your pimples could spread the bacteria and pus from the infected area which can cause acne to spread to nearby areas.
Change your pillow covers oftenYour pillow cover collects and accumulates dirt and oil from your skin. Changing it bi-weekly or weekly ensures that you are avoiding the build-up of residue that can clog your pores, making you break out.
Stay hydratedThis is probably the oldest trick in the books. Water can help flush out toxins from the skin and shrink your pores, preventing them from clogging and developing acne.
Consume the right foodsAvoid consuming food products that contain refined sugars. Refined sugars spike your insulin levels, which then leads to “a burst of inflammation throughout the body” as Dr. Perricone describes. Glycation is when digested sugars permanently attach to the collagen in your skin. This can in turn cause acne.
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