What happens to baby if you use acne products?

MeleahMae · March 2010

I'm not going to use them... I'm just curious. Does it cause birth defects or something?

I wish I could find something that would work on this nasty pregnancy outbreak!

decoglam42 · March 2010

You can check with your OB, most acne products are actually ok. I had to start using Proactiv when I found out I was pregnant, my face was breaking out worse than when I was in high school!! There is one medication in particular that is known to cause birth defects, but I don't think I've seen it on any over-the-counter products- I think it's mainly found in prescription strength. Feel free to call your OB before trying anything- just to make you feel better.

aerobaby · March 2010

You don't eat or drink the stuff.. so it all should be fine lol..

krogers0905 · March 2010

I've just heard the risk of poor bone growth and developing yellowish teeth in baby can occur when using certain acne medications while pregnant

mrs.kapow · March 2010

decoglam42:
There is one medication in particular that is known to cause birth defects, but I don't think I've seen it on any over-the-counter products- I think it's mainly found in prescription strength.

I think that's Accutane. My friend works at a derm's office and said they literally have to check that patients are on some form of regular bc and the patients have to sign a waiver that they will terminate if becoming pg on the meds. It apparently causes really bad defects.

jlthompson19 · March 2010

Check with your doctor. I know Accutane CAN NOT be taken while pregnant-as it will 100% cause birth defects. But that's pretty much the last resort in acne treatment anyway.

MWoodside · March 2010

You are also not supposed to use anything w/ Salicylic Acid or Retinols (Retin-A) while pregnant. My Dr said Benzoyl Peroxide is ok, although I use it sparingly.

ValAndRyan · March 2010

I was on topical medications before I was pregnant and my derm took me off of them to a less dosage of medication when I found out I was pregnant. It doesn't work at all but I don't really know exactly what are the defects if used so check with your doctor.

Also, accutane is definitely one and that is one of the strongest meds out there so I am sure there are also some other pills you cannot take as well.

synchrosally · March 2010

Some OBs are stricter on this than others. Acne products like Acutane have been known to cause serious brith defects and the studies on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are inconclusive at best. My OB is one of the strict ones, so I'm going with her recommendation. I just use Burt's Bees and put up with the crazy break outs.

KathrynBurkart · March 2010

synchrosally:
Acne products like Acutane have been known to cause serious brith defects and the studies on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are inconclusive at best. My OB is one of the strict ones, so I'm going with her recommendation.

This. I don't risk it either. I just accept the teenager breakouts and wash my face twice per day with a gentle Aveeno cleanser. Although my breakouts are slowly improving as I get further along. It's your call and always run it by you ob or equivalent.

MrsBalletStar05 · March 2010

mrs.kapow:
decoglam42:
There is one medication in particular that is known to cause birth defects, but I don't think I've seen it on any over-the-counter products- I think it's mainly found in prescription strength.
I think that's Accutane. My friend works at a derm's office and said they literally have to check that patients are on some form of regular bc and the patients have to sign a waiver that they will terminate if becoming pg on the meds. It apparently causes really bad defects.

that part doesn't sound quite right..... I just did some reading and it seems like a lot of places have very strict rules regarding birth control, counseling, and taking pregnancy tests before getting a refill on the prescription, but forcing someone to terminate if they get pregnant while on it? That seems extreme.

allyandpat2010 · March 2010

Some alternative zit cures:

1. toothpaste (a whitening kind). Dab on the zit- I find the baking soda kind works pretty good

2. visene- it gets the red out!

Aloe0l · March 2010

My OB said I can't use any of the OTC stuff. Probably over cautious, but, her argument is they don't know the effects on the baby at this point.

I've started using raw honey as a cleanser on the advice of a lady from my birth month board, and I have seen improvements!

mrs.kapow · March 2010

MrsBalletStar05:
mrs.kapow:
decoglam42:
There is one medication in particular that is known to cause birth defects, but I don't think I've seen it on any over-the-counter products- I think it's mainly found in prescription strength.
I think that's Accutane. My friend works at a derm's office and said they literally have to check that patients are on some form of regular bc and the patients have to sign a waiver that they will terminate if becoming pg on the meds. It apparently causes really bad defects.
I'm sure they can't enforce it, but I think it's more for the scare factor and really ensuring patients know the severity of their risks.
that part doesn't sound quite right..... I just did some reading and it seems like a lot of places have very strict rules regarding birth control, counseling, and taking pregnancy tests before getting a refill on the prescription, but forcing someone to terminate if they get pregnant while on it? That seems extreme.

modechick · March 2010

That really depends on what you are using. Certain prescription meds, i.e. Tazorac or Accutane, are absolutely no-nos during pregnancy b/c they have been proven to cause birth defects. If you are using another prescription, talk to your doctor. Also you can go on the FDA's website and it has a rating system for each drug and what it means to an expectant mother. Class X drugs are the worst and Class A drugs are ok.

If you are using an OTC, again always deferred to your doctor. Topical Salicyclic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide are discouraged because it is believed to be absorbed by the skin and enters the bloodstream. However, to date there have been no studies showing or proving that it causes any birth defects.

I have some minor issues with acne and I'm using Adult Clearisil. It's active ingrediant is Sulfur Resoronol, which is considered safe.

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