Skin changes are one of the hallmarks of pregnancy. Oily skin and acne are common and often a source of discomfort, embarrassment, low self-esteem and depression.
The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy induce an increase in sebaceous glands secretion. This in turn creates fertile ground for the proliferation of acne causing bacteria (propionibacterium acnes).
Medical treatment of acne in the pregnant woman has to take into consideration the developing fetus. Many of the available drugs are either known to induce fetal abnormalities or have not been properly tested in pregnancy and therefore not recommended by the manufacturer. Examples include erythromycin estolate (which is associated with hepatitis), tetracycline (which can cause fatty liver atrophy in the mother and dental staining in the offspring), and Accutane or isotretinoin (which can cause a multitude of skeletal, cardiovascular, and craniofacial abnormalities). Even Retin-A, which works on skin cell DNA has a theoretical risk to the developing embryo and should be avoided, if possible.
Acne in pregnancy differs from that encountered in the teenager. The pregnant woman often presents with comedones, and papular lesions on the lower face, chin and jaw. These lesions are more often superficial. In contrast teenagers present with deep cystic lesions on the upper face and forehead and often contain pus. These differences dictate a different treatment approach.
In pregnancy, topical therapy is the preferred method of treatment of skin conditions. The absorption of drugs through the skin is minimal and in addition, more effective drug combinations can be better tailored to this particular type of acne.
If most of the lesions are comedones and superficial inflammatory papules, topical benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotics can be used. For deeper lesions and cysts, it may be necessary to add an oral antibiotic.
Beauté de Maman’s mission is to develop products to combat the most common problems in pregnancy and address the lack of safe and effective remedies to treat these conditions. The hesitation on the part of pregnant women and their obstetricians to recommend treatment is often a result of their concern with the existing products, their safety in pregnancy, and the feeling that pregnancy is a temporary state not requiring immediate treatment.
In this tradition we have developed our Facial and Body Cream and Facial Scrub.
Beauté de Maman’s Facial and Body Cream is a safe and effective herbal product for oily, blemished skin in pregnancy. The active ingredient, Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) is extracted from the Australian Tea Tree and posses topical antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activity. Tea tree oil is also superior to topical antibiotics, which are commonly used to treat acne. Topical antibiotics can lead to the development of drug-resistant skin bacteria, which can prove difficult to treat.
Tea tree oil is superior to other products used to treat acne and compared to benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid, tea tree oil is nontoxic and non-irritating. Also, in contrast to benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil does not bleach clothing, bedding, and hair. Studies have shown tea tree oil to be equally effective to benzoyl peroxide in treating acne with fewer side effects. The onset of action is more gradual, making it ideal for use in pregnancy.
The drying effect of tea tree oil makes it ideal for treating the oily blemished skin typical of early pregnancy. To avoid excessive drying the tea tree oil is prepared in a moisturizing base. Beauté de Maman’s Facial Scrub with its exfoliating beads, was developed to provide proper hygiene and cleansing of the skin to help remove dead skin cells, dirt and make-up prior to using the Facial and Body Cream.
The combination of the Facial Scrub and Facial and Body Cream is a safe and effective approach to the problem of oily and blemished skin in pregnancy and helps alleviate the condition and thus prevent the long-term sequelae of acne such as deep facial scarring.
Severe or unresponsive acne should always be referred to a dermatologist for more intense therapy.
