Can you use topical retin a while pregnant

So, if you used tretinoin, realized you were pregnant, and then stopped, don't worry. It's very unlikely that the small amount absorbed would do anything to a developing baby. In fact, studies on this topic indicate the risk of developing birth defects is no different in mothers that use topical tretinoin during early pregnancy compared to those who don't.

Topical tretinoin is very different from oral tretinoin and oral isotretinoin , however. There is evidence that tretinoin taken by mouth can cause harm to a developing fetus.

Isotretinoin, which is better known as Accutane, can cause severe birth defects, and should absolutely never be taken during pregnancy. High amounts of oral vitamin A have been shown to cause birth defects.

If you're on tretinoin and find out you're pregnant, stop using it and let your healthcare provider know. For some lucky women, skin looks better during pregnancy. For others, being pregnant makes acne all that much worse. If you fall into the latter category, you'll probably want to continue using some type of acne treatment during these nine months.

Obviously, you need to be extra careful about which drugs you use while you're pregnant, whether they are topical or oral. Your dermatologist can revise your treatment plan and may recommend some non-drug options for you to try.

While Retin-A treatment may be out as a treatment option, there are other acne medications that can be safely used during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will have plenty of pregnancy-safe suggestions for treating your acne. Some of the most common are:. Acne treatment doesn't have to stop while you're pregnant, you just have to use a bit more care while choosing your treatments. If you find yourself pregnant while using Retin-A, stop the treatment and let your healthcare provider know.

Rest easy, though, because the chance that the acne medication harmed your unborn baby is very, very low. Although most OTC acne medications are safe to use during pregnancy, under the utmost of caution you should get your obstetrician's OK before using them.

And, of course, always let your healthcare provider know you're pregnant before using any prescription acne mediation. And know that your skin will change postpartum too. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. You likely came across a litany of things that you should avoid from the moment you found out you were pregnant or started planning to try—and that list can seem endless. Among the no-nos, some seemingly innocuous foods , activities , and products may have surprised you.

Another product to add to the list: retinol. If you are unfamiliar with retinol, think of it as a multitasking skincare powerhouse. This favorite of dermatologists can help with a range of skin concerns from anti-aging to acne.

We asked the professionals if it is safe to use this skincare staple while expecting. Keep reading to learn what two board-certified dermatologists have to say about using retinol while pregnant, including what the risks are and what you can use instead.

Retinol is in a chemical family known as retinoids. They can be found in skincare serums, gels, and creams. Retinol and retinoids go by a range of names in over-the-counter OTC and prescription forms. The standard OTC ingredient is called retinol. It comes in different potencies, such as retinyl palmitate, which is its weakest form. Then, there is retinaldehyde, an OTC that is stronger than regular retinol. There are also prescription retinoids like tretinoin, bexarotene, adapalene, alitretinoin, and tazarotene.

All of these start to work immediately when put on your skin. Retinoids, in comparison, are stronger than retinol, but they need to be converted in your body before your skin starts to react to it. Nazarian shares. Retinol and retinoids are both cult- and dermatologist-favorites because of their skin benefits. Retinol also supports increases elasticity, treats fine lines, improves texture and tone, minimizes the appearance of pores, and improves discoloration.

They do all this by working directly with your skin cells. However, keep in mind that they are both potent skincare ingredients. Nazarian forewarns that it will take time for your skin to adapt when you first start using either retinol or a retinoid.

They can initially be drying for your skin and cause redness or flakiness. Nazarian also advises always wearing sunscreen if you are using retinol. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to photodamage, so it is ultra-important to protect your skin with SPF when using it. While the skin benefits of retinol are vast, during pregnancy, you ought to stay away. The risks to your unborn baby can be potentially serious and life-long.

While there has not been evidence to suggest that topical vitamin A derivatives like retinol cause birth defects, we exercise an abundance of caution with these topicals and advise avoidance during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Research confirms that retinol can be transferred from parent to baby through the placenta, and up to 60 times more while breastfeeding. And the American Academy of Dermatology specifically names retinoids on its list of ingredients that are unsafe during pregnancy and should be stopped immediately.

Fortunately, there are alternatives with similar benefits to retinol that you can use. More on those in a bit. Every pregnancy is different. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider about your circumstances if you have any questions about using retinol while pregnant.

Dermatologists practice an abundance of caution when it comes to topical retinol because of the potentially serious side effects. Even though there is a difference between ingesting a retinoid and putting it on your skin, the risks are so great that experts think it is better to be safe and avoid both altogether.

The types of deformity and severity vary but tend to impact prenatal and postnatal growth, along with several systems in fetuses. Murphy-Rose says. Some infants have shown abnormalities in their facial structures when retinoids are used during pregnancy.

These include small, low-set ears microtia with narrow ear canals stenosis or even a lack of ears altogether. They can also have malformations in their inner ears, which can lead to hearing loss. Other developmental impediments include widely-spaced eyes hypertelorism , underdevelopment of the midface midface hypoplasia , a cleft palate or lip, or paralysis of certain facial nerves palsy.

When a woman ingests isotretinoin, the amount that is delivered into their system is markedly higher than what is absorbed through the skin with topical applications. One of the main areas of concern with use of tretinoin during pregnancy is its potential effects during the early embryonic stage.

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