Acne and Dermatologists, Oh My!

[Anonymous]

Ok, insert Carly Simon's "You're so Vain" here. I'm discovering that the pregnancy glow is really just a nice way of saying- my goodness, look at that girl's pores go crazy. Generally, I tend to be young looking. Great for later, not so nice for now. Add the "glistening" and acne, and I look like a baby having a baby. I know the proper course is to suffer through, but it's really difficult for my job where I need to project a more mature appearance. I'm in front of people all day that I need to get to listen and trust me. Hard to do when they think I'm Doogie Hauser, and not in a good way. I'm embracing my vanity and making an impassioned plea for any advice you all have on slaying the bad skin demon.

My current dermatologist was less than helpful. He's an overbooker and will take 3 minutes to see you. Usually not a problem. I generally see him once a year, he sets me up with refills for the year, and it's all good. But now when it would be nice to have the full 15 minute appointment to discuss options, he couldn't be bothered. I even took the earliest appointment and showed up 20 minutes before that to give him a jump start. Nothing. He just said it's his experience that expecting mothers just get too nervous about putting things on their skin so he doesn't deal with it. I confessed my sin that I'm not an all-natural girl. I did put equal on my berries this morning, and those berries came from Safeway and not Whole Foods. If a doctor says something is ok, I'd probably go with it. Like tylenol, doctor said it was ok, so I feel fine using it. On that basis, if anyone has a good dermatologist that they could recommend that would discuss cleansers and such, I would apprecate that. DC, Maryland, Virginia, doesn't matter. Would prefer DC, but beggars can't be choosers at this point. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

How far along are you? My skin is always awful at the beginning but then it does settle into the wonderful pregnancy glow. Maybe you just need to cope for a little longer and then people will be amazed again by your beauty!

[Anonymous]

Not pregnant yet, but have been bothered with acne for years and am sure it will flare up again when I am. Have you looked into the Zeno device? I believe that it is safe to use during pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

My doctor okayed glycolic acid products. The one I have loved throughout pregnancy but had never used before is Dermaquest Skin Therapy Glyco Lotion 12%. The subtitle is "Age Management" but I've found that if you put it on a pimple at night, just a thin film, it will be on its way out in the morning. Expensive and in a smallish container but one bottle will last you nine months.

I had monthly acne before getting pregnant but what I find amusing now is that while I break out about the same amount it is in different ways. Not only different from before but different from week to week! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I too have been using glycolic acid products. My dr. also said that benzoyl peroxide spot treatment was fine too. I have been able to manage my skin just fine and have had only a few zits since becoming pregnant. I am now 7 mo and my skin is clear...thanks to glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide.

good luck!

[Anonymous]

I loved my dermatologist but haven't seen him for some time now - Dr. Charles Weber, has an office in Alexandria, VA.