Is self-tanner safe to use when you're pregnant? What about over-the-counter acne medications? We took your questions to New York City dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson, who gave us the lowdown on maintaining a beauty regimen while you are with child.
Her first advice: Always double-check any questions you may have with your obstetrician who is, after all, your primary medical provider during pregnancy. And keep in mind, doctors tend to follow the "better safe than sorry" rule and very often are conservative when giving advice. Most cosmetics ingredients are probably safe for pregnant women, Dr. Berson says, but to be on the safe side, it's wise to avoid those that penetrate the skin and have not been studied for use in pregnant women.
Watch Video: Pregnancy myths: Fact or fiction?What Pregnant Women Should Avoid >>>
What Pregnant Women Should Avoid:
- Avoid oral antibiotics often prescribed for acne. If you have a severe inflammation, ask your doctor about oral erythromycin, which is considered the safest for use during pregnancy. Usually, this medication is reserved for those who have very painful and inflamed lesions.
- Avoid daily use of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. "If you need to dry out a pimple now and then, dab on benzoyl peroxide," says Dr. Berson. "Just don't slather it all over your face every day. As for salicylic acid, no studies have been done." In both cases, she says, it's safe to use in a cleanser, which is rinsed off the skin.
- Avoid products that contain vitamin A and it's derivatives (retinals, including Retin-A, and retinoids). A vitamin-A derivative in Accutane, which is taken by mouth, has been shown to cause birth defects.
- Avoid alpha-hydroxy acids in creams you leave on your face.
- Avoid depilatories (cream hair removers) because the chemicals seep into the pores and loosen hair follicles. Shave while you're pregnant.
- Avoid self-tanners. They are probably safe, but require leaving the chemicals that dye skin cells on your skin for several hours. "Better safe than sorry," says Dr. Berson.
- Avoid hair dyes that cover your entire head as the dyes usually saturate the scalp and could be absorbed into your system. Theoretically, these are safer towards the end of your third trimester, but Dr. Berson cautions against hair dye because there are even safety questions about hair dye for non-pregnant women.
