As millions of women know, the one thing worse than acne is acne during your pregnancy! Doctors recommend thousands of possible treatment options – from prescription pills, topical creams, and even antibiotics. But when they offer these treatments, one important factor is often left out of the equation: the safety of you and baby.
The method by which these medications get exposed to your body is crucial. Oral prescriptions tend to contaminate your system more than creams, gels, and oils. Hence, your fetus has less exposure to these topical ointments than to pills.
One advantage to having so many treatments available is you can easily put together an effective and safe combination – if you have the right knowledge. Here are 4 common treatments which pose less risk to you and baby than the majority of unnatural medications:
Safe Acne Treatments During Pregnancy and Common Medication Side Effects
Benzoyl Peroxide (Benzac, Benzamycin, Beroxyl, Desquam, Triaz, Vanoxide)
Benzoyl peroxide is perhaps the most popular topical treatment for acne. It often comes in 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (maximum strength) solutions. It’s oxidation properties make it effective as an antibacterial and exfoliant. Your body takes in about 5 percent of whatever dose you use. Scientific reproductivity studies with Benzoyl Peroxide have not been performed, thus the risk for birth defects is unknown. However, its popularity, lack of negative case reports, and topical nature indicates its overall risk is likely very low in comparison to certain other medications.
Hydrocortisone (Vanoxide-HC; w/ benzoyl peroxide)
Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid commonly prescribed for Acne and similar skin ailments. While most studies conducted have indicated no significant increase in birth defects risk, there was an association with a rise in split palate versus what was predicted in mice. As hydrocortisone is usually used as a topical anti-inflammatory, its chances of increasing birth defects to any noticeable degree are probably low.
Salicylic Acid (Sal Ac, Beta Hydroxy, BHA)
Salicylic acid works by encouraging skin exfoliation. This means pores are less likely to clog with dead skin cells, reducing the conditions for acne formation. Salicylic acid is used topically for acne as an addition to soap and many other products. No studies have been performed for topical salicylic acid in relation to birth defects. Aspirin, an oral salicylic acid, has been associated with bleeding risk if taken late in the pregnancy. This is not cause for concern with a topical dose, however, as only a fraction of it enters your system.
Azelaic Acid (Azelex)
Our final pregnancy safe acne treatment is also topical – in cream form. It works as an antibacterial, helps repair damaged cells, reduces oxidation inflammation, and damage induced pigmentation. While no human studies have been performed, animal science has indicated no significant association with birth defect in normal dosages (about 20% strength). Azelaic acid is found naturally in rye crops – it does not cause clothes bleaching, sun exposure irritation, or bacterial resistance. This makes it perhaps one of the least toxic acne treatments on our list.
There are many acne medications available, and many are associated with a wide range of birth risks during pregnancy. While some of these such as Accutane, Tetracycline, and tretinoin have known dangerous profiles, others like benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid haven’t shown significant problems. Many of you are understandably concerned about what goes into your bodies during pregnancy – the chemical souffle that is today’s medical system definitely has its dangers – but there are safe, even natural treatments available to those with the right knowledge.
By: George Wischler About the Author:
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