I've been careful my whole pregnancy not to use any of my skin products that have salicylic acid in them. I usually use dermalogica products. About a month ago I started using something that my old ob/gyn recommended to me and I thought it was all natural and for some reason this evening after I put it on I decided to google it and check the ingredients and it has salicylic acid in it. How worried should I be??

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I've never even thought about face care products. Everything I found googling either said to avoid them or that the small amount found in facial products wasn't strong enough to cause a problem - so very contradictory info there. I suppose if you are very concerned, I would recommend calling the doc just to ask about it. Have you only been using this for the past month? Was the use every day?

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yep - only for about a month...*maybe* 6 weeks, I can't remember for sure. And mostly every day and sometimes even in the morning and at night. Most of the stuff I've read said it can cause premature labor because of the aspirin in it but there was a scary note or two about birth defects. Obviously I won't be using it anymore but I'm mildly concerned. I suppose I'll call tomorrow just to have some peace of mind.

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I accidentally used a Dermologica product that actually had salicylic acid in it and so far everything looks fine with our baby....guess we will know for sure next month (OMG, next month!!!!!!). I had used it for about a couple months before I discovered I shouldn't be using it.
Monica

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Wow I never knew that. I think I used some Avon stuff when I was pregnant with Breylan that had that in it because I had breakouts from pregnancy. I am having them again this time!

Now I use tea tree oil or a small dab of toothpaste on it at night.

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Francine mom to 3 awesome boys~Keiran 2/18/01 Aidan 11/14/02 (water birth)Breylan 5/02/05(water birth)
and and Hunter Grayce~born 6/7/2008 7 lbs 6 oz, a fabulous water birth
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Blinkie Maker
The day you deliver, outside will be warm. Your baby will arrive in the evening.After a labor lasting approximately 5 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 8 pounds, 15 ounces, and will be 17-1/2 inches long. This child will have blue eyes and dark hair.

Let us know what you find out, Ashlee.

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Did you call today? I am sure everything will be fine.

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Dawn


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I guess I am completely in the dark on that one. I use a product everyday and have for the past 6 years. I sabella turned out fine, but I will call my nurse in the morning and see how much of a risk it really is. What did your doctor tell you?

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I didn't call - I decided it was probably fine as long as I stop using it. I'll be in the office on Tues for an u/s so I'll ask then

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talked to my nurse and my dermatologist today and they both made me feel much better about the whole thing. I guess my ignorance was not as bad as i thought after reading this post initially. The product I use is has .5 % S/A in my face wash. They both said it is a very small amount and would be more concerned if I were using a peel or a lotion that has more time to absorb into my sytem as well as those having a higher percentage of the S/A. Bottom line was that if you can avoid anything bad....do so!

I found this on baby center and it pretty much sums up what I was told form both my nurse and dermatologist.

Salicylic acid
This mild acid is used to treat certain skin disorders, including acne, and you can find it in a number of skin products, such as cleansers and toners. It can penetrate facial oils to get deep into pores and clean out dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is in the aspirin family, so it can also help reduce inflammation or redness. BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, is a form of salicylic acid and is used in some topical exfoliants to reverse signs of aging.

But salicylic acid is another no-no for pregnant women. High doses of the acid in its oral form have been shown in studies to cause birth defects and various pregnancy complications.

Again, doctors are being cautious by recommending that pregnant women avoid the topical use of salicylic acid. Small amounts applied to the skin — such as a salicylic acid-containing toner used once or twice a day — are considered safe, says Johnson.

But the concern is stronger about face and body peels containing salicylic acid. "This kind of 'soaking' in the ingredient is similar to taking one or more aspirin when pregnant," she explains.

"More product used equals more absorption into the bloodstream," adds Baumann. Always check with your doctor before having a peel treatment. Better yet, she advises, if you must have a peel, have it done professionally at your dermatologist's office. A dermatologist will know how to do it safely during pregnancy.

On the label:
Salicylic acid
Beta hydroxy acid
BHA

Note: Alpha hydroxy acids, sometimes listed as AHAs, glycolic acid, or lactic acid, are safe.

Bottom line:
Best to avoid

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thanks! The product I was using was similar to a toner but I'll just stop using it altogether until after the baby is born to be extra safe

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