Please help! Is use of glycolic acid safe during pregnancy?
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Mon May 03, 2004 11:29 pm

I have been using MD Formulations for a few years now and the glycolic acid does wonders for my skin. Now that I'm pregnant, I've stopped using it or anything I fear may be harmful. But I'm breaking out like crazy. Hormones may be the culprit, but I also think it's because I haven't been using the glycolic acid products. What should I do? Has anyone used products like this through out their pregnancy and still turned out okay with a healthy baby? Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

free skin care · Tue May 04, 2004 1:35 am

I really don't think that you have anything to be concerned about by using it. The epidermal layer of the skin isn't vascularized with blood or lymphatic vessels and unless something is able to get into your bloodstream I'm near positive it won't cause any problems. I don't think glycolic acid products go anywhere near the dermal/subcutaneous layer since they're pretty superficial.

So I'd continue using if I were you since it works so well. Smile

Definitely be careful with what you ingest, but topical products are almost always purely that (with the exceptions of certain hormones and drugs.) I don't think glycolic acid would be good for *anyone* if it was internalized! But I may be wrong... Wink

I'm just thinking of how when salicylic acid is applied to the skin during skin peels, it doesn't generate any of the analgesic properties of aspirin as compared to when it's ingested.

I'm going to stop sounding nerdy now. Smile

If you hear anything to the contrary that sounds plausible, I might go with that. I'll ask one of my doctor friends about that tomorrow, since I'm curious now. Maybe when I get into and through med school I'll be of more help!

Tue May 04, 2004 6:38 pm

Hi rusalka,

Thanks so much for going into such details to explain things to me. I guess I'm okay with the cleanser; it's the facial lotion that contains 12% glycolic compound, which one leaves on, that I'm worried about. But what you said does make sense. In any case, I would really appreciate your doctor friends' take on this. Thanks again and good luck with med school! Smile

free skin care · Tue May 04, 2004 7:09 pm

Hi April,

I think it's best if you go to an actual doctor and talk about this issue -- talk to your OB/GYN or call a dermatologist or something. Any information you get on this forum, though valuable in it's own sense, is not "official." You want a professional opinion, because after all, this is your baby that you're wanting to protect.

Lisa

free skin care · Tue May 04, 2004 9:43 pm

Hi April!

I did talk to my dermatologist today (I almost totally forgot that I had an appointment scheduled with him), and he said that what I had told you here was absolutely correct. Because glycolic acid is a polar molecule, and only lipid (fat-soluble) molecules or chemicals in patch form can traverse through the skin, your current skin-care products are 100% safe!

Thu May 06, 2004 12:04 am

Thanks Lisa, for your concern. I really appreciate it. I'm in Hong Kong now and I did make an effort to talk to my doctor but the doctors here don't really care to discuss or explain to their patients in details. The average doctor's appointment probably lasts about 15 minutes. One would be lucky to take up half an hour of his time. That's why I'm trying to get as much info as I can. Wink

Thanks rusalka, I'm very grateful for your info. It helps to know as much as possible. I hope you'll do great in med school. Smile

free skin care · Thu May 06, 2004 2:40 am

Thanks!! (I'm working on applications right now... scary!!)

I'm just happy to help out as much as I can! Very Happy

I, too, have had waaay too much experience with apathetic doctors and understand how frustrating your situation can be. I've also discovered that it takes a while to find a non-cocky dermatologist who doesn't mind explaining things to you rather than trying to push you out the door.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, though!! How far along are you?

Thu May 06, 2004 11:19 pm

I'm at 25 weeks right now. Baby is due in August, which happens to be the hottest month in Hong Kong. It's already hot and humid now! Thought about going back to the U.S. to give birth but hubby is working in HK, so... Confused

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