Hi all. I've been searching to see if this question was already asked but couldn't find anything on the TTC boards (and I'm still new here). I've been off birth control for about two months now and the first month I was off everything was normal. Got AF when I expected etc. I'm in my TWW right now and will probably test this Friday. So here's the question: this past week I've been severely breaking out on my face. Big red painful zits. I've never broken out this much but wondering if its just my body adjusted to not being on BC anymore? Any other women experience this? Early sign of pregnancy? I tested yesterday at 8 DPO (I know, too early but I couldn't help myself!) and got a BFN. Other than slight breast tenderness, no other symptoms. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question! Still learning my way around. Thanks in advance for advice/tips!
I posted on this a few weeks and got a lot of great responses. My OB recommended neutrogena deep clean however and my skin looks fabulous...probably better than before. Now it does contain salacylic acid but it is low on the active ingredients list and she is extremely confident it is safe to use. So it's about your comfort level with those things I guess.
Hi all. I've been searching to see if this question was already asked but couldn't find anything on the TTC boards (and I'm still new here). I've been off birth control for about two months now and the first month I was off everything was normal. Got AF when I expected etc. I'm in my TWW right now and will probably test this Friday. So here's the question: this past week I've been severely breaking out on my face. Big red painful zits. I've never broken out this much but wondering if its just my body adjusted to not being on BC anymore? Any other women experience this? Early sign of pregnancy? I tested yesterday at 8 DPO (I know, too early but I couldn't help myself!) and got a BFN. Other than slight breast tenderness, no other symptoms. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question! Still learning my way around. Thanks in advance for advice/tips!
It's your body adjusting. You're just gonna have to up your face washing game.
As an aside, we don't symptom spot here, if you're pregnant enough for symptoms you are pregnant enough to turn a test.
Before you break TOU, acne is a reaction to going off hormonal BC. I went off BC last year while DH was deployed and broke out like crazy. As soon as I went back on, it got better. Unfortunately there are few dermatological options while TTC. In fact, I had to call my doctor yesterday because he prescribed me prenatals and a acne treatment I can't use while TTC.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
That happen to me to when I went off of BC. Also another tip that helps with acne using lotion after washing it, it seems wrong to lotion a face that has acne but it really helps and u can do that while TTC.
I also use tea tree oil as a spot treatment and coconut oil as a night moisturizer. It's counter intuitive, but overdrying can cause breakouts as much as underwashing.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
BC makes acne better. When you go off bc your skin goes back to what it would normally do. You may have forgotten what normal is for your skin if you were on bc for a long time
I went off BC in December. I am currently in my TWW and I am breaking out also. I am just charting my symptoms to see if maybe that's just normal for me. I would suggest just charting everything for a bunch of cycles and maybe you will start to see some patterns and learn your body more.
Ditto what everyone else already said. When I went off BC after 10+ years, my skin was a nightmare. Didn't happen immediately, but within a month or two. A year and a half later it's mostly calm, though I definitely get mild breakouts every TWW. It helps to minimize eating greasy food and make sure to keep your hands off your face.
TTC #1 --- BFP #1 5/15, loss at 5 weeks --- BFP #2 12/15, loss at 4+3 --- RE testing 3/16 normal, still trying for our rainbow
A note on tea tree oil. There was a study I read about (I can't recall where, but I'm sure it's easily found). That compared it to Proactive in effectiveness for mild acne issues. I try to use some every few days, it will burn your skin if you aren't careful though. You can also buy a cleanser with some already in it my mom has suffered from cystic acne her entire life and finds a combo of coconut oil and tea tree oil is what helps the most. And just a good cleanser/moisturizing routine
A note on tea tree oil. There was a study I read about (I can't recall where, but I'm sure it's easily found). That compared it to Proactive in effectiveness for mild acne issues. I try to use some every few days, it will burn your skin if you aren't careful though. You can also buy a cleanser with some already in it my mom has suffered from cystic acne her entire life and finds a combo of coconut oil and tea tree oil is what helps the most. And just a good cleanser/moisturizing routine
You can also cut it with an oil, like grape seed oil if you have sensitive skin. That's interesting, I had never heard those study results before, but I find it's very effective. Just make sure you moisturizer or your skin may get too dry and tight.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
I have also been off BC for two months and my face sure does goes through its breakouts. I will have to try what you all are recommending with the different oils! I hope this doesn't last too much longer though.
Married: August 2012
TTC #1: July 2015
BFP 1: October 30, 2015; EDD: July 6, 2016- Team Pink
Hi all. I've been searching to see if this question was already asked but couldn't find anything on the TTC boards (and I'm still new here). I've been off birth control for about two months now and the first month I was off everything was normal. Got AF when I expected etc. I'm in my TWW right now and will probably test this Friday. So here's the question: this past week I've been severely breaking out on my face. Big red painful zits. I've never broken out this much but wondering if its just my body adjusted to not being on BC anymore? Any other women experience this? Early sign of pregnancy? I tested yesterday at 8 DPO (I know, too early but I couldn't help myself!) and got a BFN. Other than slight breast tenderness, no other symptoms. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question! Still learning my way around. Thanks in advance for advice/tips!
I break out right before my period. Every time I've been pregnant it has done amazing things for my skin. "the glow" was real & my skin was flawless.
So, in my experience (which means squat for you, really) breaking out is the harbinger of period doom.
I also use tea tree oil as a spot treatment and coconut oil as a night moisturizer. It's counter intuitive, but overdrying can cause breakouts as much as underwashing.
I also break out before my period. Use an exfoliating face wash. I've heard the Body Shop has good tea tree stuff. I use Lush's grease lightning spot treatment and enzymion moisturizer. My face likes when I keep it simple. Good luck.
You all are so great! I will definitely be trying some new things out! I've never had acne like this before and it is beyond frustrating. I feel like girl going through puberty again! UGH.
I never had a problem with breaking out. I stopped my birth control pill in April of this year and now my face and neck break out and I hate it! It's definitely our bodies adjusting. Hormones can do some crazy things! Best of luck to you!
You all are so great! I will definitely be trying some new things out! I've never had acne like this before and it is beyond frustrating. I feel like girl going through puberty again! UGH.
Thanks again!!
That's exactly what is happening when you go off the pill.
So this is gonna sound extremely strange. But trust me. I don't suffer from acne nearly as bad as I used to, but when I was a teenager the struggle was real. I tried all the acne treatments. Someone recommended to me using Destin diaper rash cream. Before going to bed apply a mask of Desitin to your face and sleep in it. Wash your face well in the morning with soap and water. Acne clears quickly and leaves your skin extra soft. Now when I get a breakout. I zap a little desitin on it and sleep in it. Zit is remarkably smaller in the morning.
A note on tea tree oil. There was a study I read about (I can't recall where, but I'm sure it's easily found). That compared it to Proactive in effectiveness for mild acne issues. I try to use some every few days, it will burn your skin if you aren't careful though. You can also buy a cleanser with some already in it my mom has suffered from cystic acne her entire life and finds a combo of coconut oil and tea tree oil is what helps the most. And just a good cleanser/moisturizing routine
Tea tree oil is my favorite. I use it as a spot treatment (with a cotton swab), then after it dries I apply either daytime or nighttime non-comedogenic moisturizer. I have found it's best not to over-do it with your skin. Before I found the right routine, I feel like I was over-exfoliating and applying too many different types of acne medication which was just further irritating my skin. Also, make sure you are cleaning your makeup brushes, use gentle makeup, and don't constantly touch your face during the day.
Answers
As an aside, we don't symptom spot here, if you're pregnant enough for symptoms you are pregnant enough to turn a test.
Married: Oct 20, 2013
BFP 1: Aug 31, 2015
EDD 1: May 12, 2016
DD1 Emma born May 12, 2016
An Honest Account of New Motherhood (with Postpartum Anxiety, Depression, and OCD)
BFP 2: October 07, 2019
EDD 2: June 20, 2020
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019TTC #1 --- BFP #1 5/15, loss at 5 weeks --- BFP #2 12/15, loss at 4+3 --- RE testing 3/16 normal, still trying for our rainbow
So, in my experience (which means squat for you, really) breaking out is the harbinger of period doom.
Good luck though.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
2010: Infertility
October 2015: missed miscarriage #2 at 11 weeks (trisomy 22)
Low progesterone
Baby boy born 01/2016
Currently: NTNP