Acne increase during/after pg?

[~Kaz~]

Hi,

Not sure if this is the right place for my question, I was reading a thread recently by Cherryblossom (I think?) about developing severe acne post-natally and it got me thinking.

I have a long history of subcutaneous cysts and generally bad acne/skin that started when I was about 12yrs. I tried everything, topical treatments, BCP, anti-biotics and finally Roaccutane at 15yrs. I have taken Roaccutane a total of 3 times since then. Currently my skin is pretty clear with only the occasional cyst in odd places (like behind my ear lobe - WTF?) BUT DP and I are about to start TCC this cycle.

I am really interested in hearing from ladies who had a history of bad acne/cysts anytime prior to pregnancy - what did your skin do during your pregnancy and what did it do post-natally? Did the acne return with a vengance? Did anyone find they didn't get acne?

Just wondering how prepared (emotionally), I should be getting myself for the return of my acne.

Thanks heaps for any replies

[Kristin27]

I suffered from hormonal acne before getting pg - break outs around my chin and cheeks before AF. However I had bad acne during the first and second trimester of my pregnancy, and NOTHING helped. I tried proactiv, Clindatech, dermalogica acne skin care, nothing worked because it was due to my crazy hormones. As soon as I hit the third tri my skin cleared up overnight, thank goodness!!!

Can't advise just yet on what my skin will be like post pg, fingers crossed it will be okay...

Good luck TTC

[satya]

Even though I'm a bit on the old side for having acne I normally get break outs mid cycle and around AF. I've had none at all throughout the entire pregnancy, in fact have had perfect skin which I've really enjoyed.

[Jakabella]

I have been blessed to have perfect skin for my entire life - only a few little ones at that time of the month- but since becoming preg I have pimples on my neck and my shoulders and belly that I have never had b4. Maybe you will go the other way and you will have great skin! Best of luck!
Kate

[kristy J]

ok your skin can be different with each baby.
with DS1 my skin was PERFECT i think i even looked younger, not a zit, pimple or achne in sight. but this time round my skin is SHOCKING, oily, with hormonal pussie breakouts all over my chin that just won't clear and also rock hard blackheads too which i have never had.
I don't think there is much you can do about it except to change cleansers to whatever is needed that day and drink lots of water and hope for the best. once baby comes i plan on going in for a complete anti zit facial. thinking maybe a peel might help.

good luck

[Kristin27]

Oh yeah I got bad acne on my back too - so disgusting! I had never had that before... Sorry I hope you get some more positive responses, but I guess you'll just have to wait and see...

[mummy of many]

When I was prego with my 4 sons, I had beautiful radiant fresh looking skin,but when I fell prego with my daughter my skin was terriable, blemishes all over the face and it was so hard to keep the acne away even with cleansing a couple of times a day,maybe its our hormones ,but now after 5th bub last xmas,he`s 5 months now,my skin is back to being very good again.

[~Kaz~]

Thanks for all your replies girls. Much appreciated.

I guess I will just have to wait and see. Recurring acne wasn't something I had even considered until the other day when I saw Cherryblossom's thread so I'm a little freaked as I thought the worst was behind me. I am heartened by the fact that some of you had perfect skin when pregnant! My acne seemed to be hormonal and also stress related so who knows what it will do?

I truly hope those of you with pg related acne find it clears up real soon. There is nothing worse.

[leebee81]

I had bad cyclical acne - ie, pimples, both normal and blind pimples in the week leading up to my period. The pill suppressed it but it came back with a vengeance about 7 months into TTC, which is when I believe the pill finally left my system. I continued to have breakouts until I was about 14 weeks pregnant, was all clear until I gave birth, then had icky skin again for about 8 weeks when it settled somewhat, but I don't have my period back either. I have no plans to go back on the pill so was prepared to just put up breakouts but a friend suggested Benzac which I got in 5% strength from the chemist and it has worked really well. I'm not sure if its ok to use during pregnancy or not.

[~Kaz~]

Thanks for the tip leebee. I am thinking I should expect bad skin and that I'll be at the mercy of hormones but I might start making a list of products to try (to run past Dr. first) so when it does happen I can take some kind of positive action and try and deal with it. Roaccutane is the only thing I have found so far that works but it is SO NOT an option while pregnant.