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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Any skin tips?

6 replies

bumperlicious · 31/10/2006 12:17

Since coming off the pill my skin has been getting progressively worse. I used to have quite spotty skin probably due to hormone imbalance, but also not helped by my obsessive use of clearasil like products and skin scrubs etc.

After a few visits to Neal's Yard Remedy and a strict telling off for my abrassive cleansing routine investment in some of their products my skin was amazing (for me anyway!). But since I came off the pill 6 months ago been getting worse with contstant acne-like tender spots on my forehead and in my hairline. Now I'm getting spots all over my face, really tender sore ones and they don't show any sign of going. I'm 7 weeks today and had hoped that pregnancy may have settled my skin down, but it hasn't.

Any tips before I resort wearing a paper bag over my head?

OP posts:
tillsbluegirl · 31/10/2006 12:29

Hi,

I don't have any tips as such, but just wanted to sympathise...my skin and hair have both gone completely haywire since I got pregnant, particularly my hair, which was my pride and joy!

Am just about at the paper bag stage myself...

doghouse · 31/10/2006 12:34

Hi there
Like you, have been on the pill and my skin was fine. Came off in May, pg in June and only now (18 wks) is my skin starting to improve. I think a) it comes with the territory to a degree (i.e. being pg) and b) we are more susceptible, having had problems with hormone imbalance/acne in the past. Are you finding that you are not suffering from ms yet? That was my only consolation ... didn't have a jot of ms. HOWEVER, I know how miserable it can make you. OK, now some solutions: go to the doc, there are treatments you can use during pgcy. Also, I bought ProActiv which is available over the internet and it seemed to help me but it's not cheap. Another one to try which has been recommended is Liz Earle products.

I hope I have helped a bit but if you are on an ante-natal thread, I would bring the issue up there and you will find others suffering too which funnily enough does help!!

Good luck and try to remember (as I try!) that it will be worth it in the end!! x

Whoowhoobewhooooooh · 31/10/2006 12:35

When my skin was like this I used to steam it over the sink every night, then use a hypo-allergenic cleanser, tone with cold water, then moisturise.

Also, toothpaste is brilliant for drying out spots.

Good luck!

Daisypops · 31/10/2006 13:00

My skin was awful up until I was about 6/7 months pregnant. I'm now nearly 7 and a half months. I was drinking lots of water but my complexion was still really bad and I got spots all round my chin and cheeks. When I saw my gran a bit ago, she said my skin was lovely but to me it was awful. I think you just got to sit it out. I got a nice

I got some 'protect and perfect beauty serum' FREE with my Boots baby club voucher. I'm sure this has helped make my skin really clear and smooth and levelled out my skin tone, even if I do say so myself!

Original poster
bumperlicious · 31/10/2006 13:49

Thanks for the empathy girls!

Unfortunaetely doghouse, MS has just hit the past couple of days so feeling even more rotten! I mentioned it to my doctor at my first appointment and she said to leave it a couple of weeks but see her if it didn't clear up.

Unfortunately most of the good products are expensive, and you can't guarantee them working for you. I've spent lots of money over the years on various products.

Might try the steam solution though - cheap and cheerful!

Thanks again. Now where's my paper bag...?

OP posts:
CurrantBun · 31/10/2006 14:14

Bumperlicious, totally sympathise. I've been plagued with acne since my teens and the only time I've had clear skin was the 15 years I was on the Pill prior to coming off it to try to conceive.

About 4 months after stopping the Pill I started getting large, painful spots on my shoulders and back. Fortunately at the moment I don't have any spots on my face, but have just spent the whole (bloody hot) summer unable to wear any vest-type or strappy tops because my back is too unsightly. I also started getting spots on my chest which I never had before, even as a teenager.

I'm 6 months' pregnant and my skin shows no sign of improvement. There are also very few treatments available to me because of the risk to the baby. I went to my GP this morning and have been given topical erythromycin to try (about the only thing considered 'safe' in pregnancy - unfortunately it's not supposed to be hugely effective). But it's got to be worth a try.

My face was quite blackhead-y and Clinique's 3-Step has really sorted it out, so at least from the neck up I look passable!

There's a whole other thread here you might also be interested in.

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