Help with Acne

[ohgoonthen]

Hi all,

I'm 14 weeks with our first (v.excited ) but this pregnancy has hit me like a tonne of bricks!
For the first 12 weeks I felt hideous!! Now however feeling slighly better apart from my HUGE Acne problem.
Started about 4 weeks in I think and getting steadily worse! Apart from the fact it looks like I've got something nasty, it hurts like hell! It begun on my neck and is now moving up...and down!
Spoke to doc (in Cyprus so see doc every 2 weeks) and he says it's normal and will disappear when baby comes
Spots like this are not normal and neither is the pain, they are totally un-squishable so pressure everywhere! They are now deciding to pop of thier own accord though, best time seems to be when I'm having a conversation with someone!
Highly embarrassing but I could cry with relief!
Any suggestions? I need a small miracle...either that or a brown paper bag!!

I was advised by my OB/GYN to take Vitamin B6 supplements for persistent and very angry looking pg acne, I think about 100mgs, every day. It's a common piece of advice in the US, where I had all my babies, but I've seen comments indicating that UK doctors haven't heard of the benefits; clearly Cyprus hasn't got the word yet either.

There's a little bit about it here. Apparently it was prescribed from the 1940's as an anti-morning sickness aid. It's also used as part of anti-PMS treatments.

Hi!

I've suffered from acne since my late teens, had great skin as a teenager then it all went wrong! Same even now pregnant though it was getting better. I think from my experience its all hormonal.

I suggest using a cream with a high zinc content ie sudacrem as the zinc helps heal and calm your skin down.
(I actually personally use a piles cream (has loads more zinc), I use it as a facemask leave it on for 15-20mins and wash it off. Obviously the instructions say not to use it anywhere else so am only telling you what I do.)

If you have a spot that is painfull and not ready to pop, put some toothpaste on it as toothpaste seems to bring them out. I find the more mint the better!

When popping your spots be careful not to draw blood as if you draw blood you've damaged the skin and so could end up with scaring. But if you find a good cream with a good amount of zinc it will aid healing.

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and I hope that we all manage to forget the things that aren't enjoyable about pregnancy!!

One last tip re make up
Foundation use a liquid one (blend well around chin area as necks are always a different colour).
Then apply a layer of powder that is translucent or similar shade to the foundation with a big brush.
Then apply a dab of concealer the same colour as the foundation over any angry spots.
I find that although its alot it gives the illusion of flawless skin, which makes me feel better especially on really bad skin days.

Don't despair just yet. I have suffered from mild acne since being a teenager, infact it is probably worse now than it was a decade ago (am 34). It's not bad enough to make me really care about it, it's just a bit annoying having spots at my age - it's all hormonal though and nothing seems to help.

However, my point of writing is - when I got pregnant with my son, and again this time round my skin got worse during the first trimester (still at that stage now). But into the second trimester by skin completely cleared and looked great actually until he was a year old. Yours does sound quite extreme, but you could find that it clears up in the next couple of weeks and you glow for the rest of your pregnancy. I hope so!

I suffered really badly during first pregnancy the only thing that worked to make it less obvious and not so painful/ugly looking was Dermalogica!

I used to use the mild one, but during pregnancy have to use he anti-b one! However mine didn't clear up immediatley after birth it was a good 6-8 weeks later...

Dermalogica do also do a make up range which can help but the colours are limited depends entirely on your skin tone!

Whereabouts in Cyprus are you? I used to live in Kolossi Village! If your attached to the bases and can use BFPO postage then the best place to buy dermalogica products is Beautyflash.com the girls on their can tell you about the best sets, personally I would go for the trail kit (it will last you a few weeks and will give you a feel if you think the products are working!) depending on wherabouts in Cyprus you are you might find a salon that does Dermalogica (I'd think maybe some of the big hotels maybe?)

There is a newish Greek product out on the market (not sure if your on the Greek or Turkish side), the range is called "Korres" I buy it here they sell in big departments stores they are natural make up products (however they do cleasing stuff as well I believe not that I have tried them!)

Avoid mineral make up as that will show every flaw on your skin! especially if you end up with enlarged pores (which was part of my problem).

If part of the problem is enlarged pores then Clinque do a pore minimiser range which includes a exfoliator and moisturiser!

Good luck

I'm similar to domesticgoddess - I had mild acne pre-pregnancy and had bad acne in the first trimester. It cleared completely by about 15-16 weeks however and has not returned. I think this is actually not too uncommon so hopefully you will find it clearing over the next 3-4 weeks. I also use the Belli acne cleanser which is very good and designed for pregnant skin.

BTW domesticgoddess, it's nice to hear your skin stayed clear for the whole first year post-preg!

Yes Walnut, it was great! And good for photos seeing I was so sleep deprived - at least I had something going for me. Hopefully it will be the same this time round, but I will check out that cleanser you mention.

Hi everyone,

Thank-you all very much for your suggestions!

Vistana - I think it definately is hormonal, I have always had good skin and can use anything on it, never get a mark!
I'm not so much worried about looking bad (tried loads of different makeups, makes it worse, I go from lobster red to flaky and lumpy, need to be more creative!) it's the pain thats the worst.
Just under my jawline seems to be where it's all flaring up and it's agony to move my head! I would rather have a toothache! The doctors here aren't to fond of prescribing anything when your pregnant so I have been strictly told to just take Panadol, however I am finding that M&M's seem to be more effective!
Will have a go with the sudocrem though, it's worth a shot!
Butterscotch - I'm in Paphos, not far from where you used to be, are you still on the island?
Been for a good few Dermologica facials but it doesn't seem to be helping, even the lady that does them is at a loss! Makes me feel slightly better though! . Will look out for "Korres" when I'm on my travels.
Walnut8 - Thanks for the tip, I will hunt around for the Belli cleanser and see if I can get it here.

Patiently waiting now for the glow

The regimen on acne.org has entirely cleared my skin after years of various potions and lotions and pills - both OTC and prescribed by GPs and dermatologists. Someone on here posted a link to it and I will be forever grateful to them

Not sure if it is okay to use in pregnancy though so you would need to check that out OP

ohhhhh.....clicking as we speak!

Sadly I left the island back in 2001! Did the theapist try face mapping? I found it took me a few weeks of the routine to get my skin clear and it wasn't perfect but it definately made it better than it was!

Glad I'm not the only one suffering, thought I was meant to be glowing, not glaring at anyone who I catch looking at me! Hideous.

I've got my fingers crossed for an improvement at 15weeks now...there has to be hope!!

Thanks for advice, shall be following up some of your tips. I have heard the sudacrem one before, but never been as desperate as now!