Acne treatment at a med spa Bella Sana

Hi everyone. I'm a new mom, and my skin has gone crazy postpartum. I never had acne as a teen, but now at 32, my chin and jaw are covered in these angry, deep, painful bumps. I'm breastfeeding, so I can't take most oral medications (spiro, antibiotics, Accutane). What can I actually use safely? I'm desperate. I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself.

Postpartum acne is brutal because your progesterone drops and androgens spike. The good news is that topical treatments are generally safe while breastfeeding. Topical azelaic acid (15-20%) is considered the gold standard for nursing moms – it's very safe. Topical clindamycin (an antibiotic lotion) is also considered low-risk. You can also use benzoyl peroxide (short contact therapy – leave on for 5 minutes, then wash off). Avoid retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol) – those are not recommended while nursing. Also, avoid salicylic acid in high concentrations (low OTC 2% is probably fine, but many play it safe). See a dermatologist who understands breastfeeding. They can prescribe you a safe topical compound. Also, consider in-office treatments: blue light therapy and chemical peels (lactic or mandelic acid) are safe because they don't enter the bloodstream.

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Postpartum acne is brutal because your progesterone drops and androgens spike. The good news is that topical treatments are generally safe while breastfeeding. Topical azelaic acid (15-20%) is considered the gold standard for nursing moms – it's very safe. Topical clindamycin (an antibiotic lotion) is also considered low-risk. You can also use benzoyl peroxide (short contact therapy – leave on for 5 minutes, then wash off). Avoid retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol) – those are not recommended while nursing. Also, avoid salicylic acid in high concentrations (low OTC 2% is probably fine, but many play it safe). See a dermatologist who understands breastfeeding. They can prescribe you a safe topical compound. Also, consider in-office treatments: blue light therapy and chemical peels (lactic or mandelic acid) are safe because they don't enter the bloodstream.

I went through this exact hell. I felt so ugly and tired. My dermatologist put me on a 15% azelaic acid gel (prescription) and told me to use a sulfur wash. It took 8 weeks, but the cysts finally stopped. I also went to a med spa for acne treatment at a med spa Bella Sana for a series of gentle mandelic acid peels. Mandelic acid is safe for nursing and it really helped with the inflammation and the dark spots left behind. The peels were mild – just a little tingle. I did three peels over three months. My skin is now better than it was before pregnancy. If you want to see a clinic that specializes in postpartum skin, look here: https://bellasanamedspa.com/treatment/acne-treatment. You will get through this. It's hormonal, and it will pass. In the meantime, be kind to yourself. Sleep is the best acne treatment (I know, impossible with a newborn).