Benzoyl Peroxide and Pregnancy
Many women have questions about benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy, as well as other common over-the-counter acne ingredients. Although these products are typically considered “safe” since they are available to you without a prescription, you still need to be cautious, especially during pregnancy.
The most common ingredients found in over-the-counter-remedies (topical form) include:
-benzoyl peroxide,
-salicylic acid,
-retinol,
-alpha hydroxy acids, and
-resorcinol and sulfur.
OTC Benzoyl Peroxide
Questions about benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy safety remain a concern. BP works by killing acne bacteria deep within the skin and is found in concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% in topical creams and gels. There are also prescription forms of BP or combinations of BP with other active agents that you can get from your doctor.
Here are the two sides of the debate for benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy safety:
Benzoyl peroxide is commonly used: Currently, there are no case reports about benzoyl peroxide and birth defects in research studies. So far it appears there is a low risk to the unborn child.
However…
Benzoyl peroxide is a category C drug: So far, there have been no studies on humans or animals that show risk correlations between benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy. This means the risk is still unknown. About 5% of each topical dose is absorbed systemically. It is unknown if BP passes into breast milk.
Make sure you consult with your doctor about taking BP safely.
Salicylic Acid
This medicine may be absorbed through the mother’s skin. Like benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy, there are no studies of topical salicylic acid and pregnancy showing risk to a fetus. Topical salicylic acid has not been studied in pregnant women.
Only oral salicylic acid (aspirin) studies in animals show that birth defects occur at very high dosages. But oral salicylic acid is unrelated to the topical form.
Generally, the absence of harmful feedback of topical salicylic acid means that the risk to an unborn child is low.
Retinol
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, which in high doses can be dangerous to pregnant women. Based on 1980 U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamin A in the diet that is a combination of retinol and beta-carotene, pregnant women should not exceed a daily total of 2665-3000 units of retinol (900mcg). Breastfeeding mothers should not exceed 4000 units of retinol (1200mcg). Again, confirm with your doctor regarding a healthy amount for you.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Resorcinol and Sulfur
Resorcinol can be absorbed through the mother’s skin, but none of these ingredients have proven to be a risk in pregnancy.
Always read the labels on the products to see if they are pregnancy-safe. If you feel uncomfortable about a product, never second-guess yourself. See your doctor. Your caution will pay off for the health of your baby as well as your own.
What to Expect When Receiving a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels can make dramatic changes to your skin. Watch as I receive a chemical peel to exfoliate my skin and specifically target acne. If you’ve never experienced a peel, this video will give you an idea of what to expect. My blog: www.jessicarom.com If you live in the San Jose, CA area, we’d love to take care of your skin! Get in touch with us www.jemskincare.com
What Are the Benefits of Collagen Pills?
Will collagen supplements help you to reduce skin wrinkles? Does it really work?
The fact is, there are many people out there who has this misconception that collagen pills is the magic cure for their skin wrinkles. I am sure many of you will think the same too. For the remaining section of this article, I will reveal the truth about the effects of collagen pills and what sort of results it has on skin rejuvenation.
First, let’s understand what is collagen.
Collagen is actually a protein tissue that is found in our body. It works closely with another substance called elastin to provide support to our skin structure. Both collagen and elastin provides elasticity and flexibility to our skin. But as you grow old, collagen degradation will most likely occur. When that happens, you will experience heavy skin sagging and dropping eye lines. As such, it is important for you to rebuild this compound in your body if you want to fight against aging skin symptoms like wrinkles or sagging skin.
So, what are the benefits of collagen pills when it comes to anti-aging skin care treatment? Will it help or harm your body?
The truth of the matter is, collagen pills has no beneficial effects on our skin. Consuming such pills does not cause any bad reaction to your skin either. The reason why it is not useful to our skin is because collagen pills cannot be assimilated into the myriad of collagen that are already present in our body.
If you want to boost the level of collagen in your body, then you should seek natural ingredients instead. This method is safe and affordable, with no side effects. Ingredients such as Cynergy TK, Phytessence Wakame or Coenzyme Q10 has been carefully studied and researched by skin care researchers in New Zealand. They found that using these ingredients, you can stimulate positive collagen growth in your body again.
For those of you who are still doubtful whether the benefits of collagen pills include skin rejuvenation, just do more research at credible medical websites as well. You’ll know that what has been said here is the truth. In a way, it is actually good that you know about it now rather than later.
The choice of whether to go for collagen pills is on you. But trust me, you will achieve more youthful looking skin if you stick to using natural ingredients that works.
Yeast Infection Cure – Hypothyroidism
A yeast infection cure can be linked to what it takes to rid yourself of a potential hypothyroidism.
An undiagnosed low thyroid condition (subclinical hypothyroidism) can make it difficult to eradicate a fungal infection. Standard blood tests for thyroid disease will tell a doctor if the thyroid gland is diseased, but not whether thyroid hormones are functioning at optimal levels. According to alternative healthcare doctors, regular underarm temperatures of 97.6°F or below (or average oral temperatures below 98.6°F), combined with symptoms of low metabolism are likely due to a hidden hypothyroid (low thyroid) condition.
Classically, low-functioning thyroid symptoms include depression Fatigue, cold extremities, fluid retention, trouble losing weight, higher-than average body fat composition, “hypoglycemia,” gastrointestinal symptom such as multiple food sensitivities or allergies, and poor response to exercise (for example, getting weaker after months of aerobic exercising).
Checking your temperature for low thyroid is best done using an old-fashioned shake-down thermometer. Take daily readings for a few weeks; this will show an accurate trend. Not all cases of low temperatures are caused by a functionally low thyroid. Aspects of low thyroid are clearly explained in Broda Barnes’s book Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness.
Hair loss may be a symptom of hypothyroidism or other hormonal imbalances (such as adrenal, gonadal, or others). Nutritional factors for hypothyroidism and a yeast infection cure include deficiencies in protein, zinc, selenium, silicon, iodine (sea kelp), vitamin A, B-complex vitamins (particularly biotin and inositol), essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Low temperatures may reflect suboptimal nutrient levels in the body.
Routine blood tests (T3, T4, T7, TSH) for thyroid may show normal results in unsuspected (“subclinical”) hypothyroidism. Or you may find higher-than-normal cholesterol, low vitamin A, and a high carotene level. Active thyroid hormone is required to convert carotene from the diet into vitamin A (retinol), and to help keep cholesterol blood levels low.
In most hypothyroidism, especially in vegetarians, vitamin A will be low and carotene will be high on the blood tests. Evidence is a carrot-orange color on the palms and soles. Many people who have normal thyroid function tests with multiple hypothyroid symptoms will occasionally show high levels of antithyroid antibodies and antimicrosomal antibodies (Hashimoto’s thyroidi-tis). The B vitamin PABA, high doses of primrose oil or other essential fatty acids, and vitamin E in high doses may help reverse the condition. If not, low doses of prescribed thyroid hormone (such as desiccated thyroid), slow-release liothyronine (T3), glandular thyroid extract, or homeopathic thyroid drops may relieve symptoms.
In some cases there may be a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) in the neck. A goiter is a definite indication of weak thyroid function. Supplements with thyroid extract and/or iodine eliminate the signs and symptoms within six weeks. Suddenly, a depression of many years, unresponsive to antidepressant drugs, disappears. Food sensitivities, inability to lose weight on very low-calorie diets, lack of positive results from exercise, and general malaise improve dramatically.
These are things you need to pay attention to when dealing with a yeast infection cure.
siravich