Acne Skin Care
Acne medication in pregnancy?
I am 9 weeks pregnant with my second child. I have been using a daily moisturizer with salicylic acid in it, to prevent acne, for years now. Not even thinking, I've been using the moisturizer throughout the beginning of this pregnancy. I read the other day that it is not good to use acne medications during pregnancy because it can cause defects to the baby. Has anyone else used this during pregnancy? If so, what was the outcome? Thank you :) Also, I do not plan on using this anymore. I already bought a new cream, that does not have acne medication in it. I just want to know if the exposure that has already been made will cause any problems.
Public Comments
- I wouldn't risk it before talking to a doctor. Just use baby soap and a non-fragranced cream. You will break out more but that's what pregnancy is all about!
- I can't say what the outcome is for every baby, but I will tell you that I went through the first three months of my pregnancy on active duty in the military (not knowing I was pregnant); had Xrays on my ankle and knee; slept all the wrong hours; worked out too much; carried far too heavy of objects (bunk beds, sand bags); cleaned with ammonia, bleach, pine sol; jumped out of moving trucks; AND used cleansers, lotions and moisturizers with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, retin A, among other things in them ... I even took pain killers a few times, and drank on a few occasions. I did all this before I found out I was pregnant (which was already into my 2nd trimester, because I had reason to assume my period had stopped based on physical stress and had had several pregnancy tests with false negative results. Why do I say all this? To put your mind at ease - my little guy isn't born yet, but my doctor says he looks perfect, I am right on track with my due date (I knew the date of conception within a week), and in fact I am one of his healthiest and lowest risk patients. I was panicked that I had irrepairably harmed my baby too - but my Dr. told me that women go through war, famine and all sorts of horrible things and still have lovely, perfect little babies, and doing something wrong does not necessarily mean you've done any harm - just the same as doing everything right doesn't guarantee a perfectly healthy child. So no, chances are, your moisturizer hasn't done any damage to your baby. It is suggested to not use many medications as a precaution because there are POSSIBLE risks - not certain danger! Some docs even say it is ok to use certain acne meds after your first trimester. When you go for your prenatal care ask your doctor. Congratulations and good luck! I forgot to mention that Witch Hazel is a very good astringent if you have trouble with acne or blemishes. It isn't perfect (what acne medication is?), but it will help keep it under control, and is safe at any stage of pregnancy and when breastfeeding. You can use it on a warm damp cloth to make a compress for hemmerhoids too - you'll see why this is important in a couple of months! It is also very good for abdominal rashes that a lot of women get in their 2nd and 3rd trimester. It is just good stuff to have on hand.
- I was concerned about that myself because I'm very acne prone. But my doctor told me that more than likely if it's an over the counter acne medicine it's probably OK. It's when it's prescribed that it could become a problem. But if there is something specific you want to use, ask your doctor when you go to your next visit, just to be on the safe side. I have found personally, that just making sure that I wash my face every day and not wearing make up if I'm not going out helps to control my acne quite a bit. Congrats on your pregnancy!
- This is my second pregnancy and I also use acne medication with salicylic acid in it. I have been using the same medication with both pregnancies. I just recently read it's okay to use as long as it contains no more than 3% salicylic acid and mine doesn't. But if you have any questions just take the bottle in to your doctors and let them take a look.
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