Mom-To-Be Masaba Gupta Opens Up About Pregnancy Acne: Here’s Why It Happens

mom-to-be masaba gupta opens up about pregnancy acne: here’s why it happens

Fashion designer Masaba Gupta recently shared her candid experience with body acne during her pregnancy. Known for her bold fashion choices and vibrant designs, Masaba took to her Instagram story to discuss her struggles with body acne and renamed it ‘baby kisses.’ In her heartfelt post, Masaba explained that the hormonal changes during pregnancy significantly impacted her skin, leading to persistent body acne.

In her Instagram story, she wrote “Through my pregnancy, I’ve been getting a fresh bout of body acne that leaves a mark behind–every couple of weeks. Was troubled by it earlier but I’ve just renamed them ‘baby kisses’ now. A reminder of the newness of creation maybe. But in case you are going through something similar, hormones can be wild. You are not alone.”

But why does it happen? We got in touch with health experts who explain why acne during pregnancy happens.

Why Do Some Pregnant Women Get Acne Breakouts?

Dr Astha Dayal, Lead Consultant - Obstetrics and Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram explains, hormonal changes during pregnancy are a major factor in acne formation. Estrogen, progesterone, and androgens (like testosterone) are the main hormones involved. "Changes in hormones have the potential to increase oil production by the skin's sebaceous glands, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts of acne,” she said.

“While not all pregnant women experience acne, those with a history of hormone-related acne or those prone to acne breakouts may be more susceptible to developing acne during their pregnancy,” Dr Astha further shared.

Factors That Increase The Likelihood Of Acne

Dr Astha Dayal shares that approximately one in two women who are pregnant are likely to experience acne, which is a common condition. Pregnancy acne may be more likely to occur for the following reasons:

Hormonal fluctuations: As previously indicated, the main reason for acne during pregnancy is changes in hormones.

Past acne History: People who have previously experienced acne may be more likely to get it during pregnancy.

Stress and anxiety: Being pregnant may be a stressful time, and for some people, stress makes acne worse.

Areas More Prone To Acne During Pregnancy

Dr Neelam Suri, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi shares that during pregnancy, acne can develop in various areas of the body, but some regions are more prone than others.

Face

The face is the most commonly affected area, with acne often appearing on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and jawline. This is because the face has a higher concentration of sebaceous glands, which are stimulated by the hormonal changes during pregnancy, Dr Neelam Suri noted.

Neck And Chest

“The neck and chest area may also be affected, as these regions also have a significant number of sebaceous glands. In some cases, pregnant individuals may experience acne on their back, shoulders, and upper arms, a condition known as "bacne" or "body acne." This is particularly common in those who have a history of acne vulgaris or have experienced body acne before pregnancy. The distribution of acne lesions can vary from person to person, but the areas with a higher density of sebaceous glands tend to be more susceptible,” Dr Neelam said.