Keke Palmer says pregnancy is the cure for her adult acne

Keke Palmer says pregnancy is the cure for her adult acne

Keke Palmer may have found the secret to clearing up her acne.

In a new video posted to Instagram, the 29-year-old actress claims that pregnancy has dramatically healed her acne-prone skin. “I found the cure for acne!” reads a text bubble that appears above the video.

"I know you can't see it right now because I have a face full of makeup, but let's really get into it," Palmer says in the clip. "I want you to see that everything here is extremely flat. That means that even with the discoloration we're going to get, there are no more bumps."

The Nope star has been open about her struggles with acne in the past, noting in previous Instagram posts that her adult acne is caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). ICYDK, PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods and excessive production of sex hormones called androgens, according to the Mayo Clinic. Too much androgen can cause excessive facial and body hair and severe acne.

The supposed “cure” for her acne now? Pregnancy. "I'm here to let you all know that I've found the secret to getting rid of my acne and guess what it is?" she teases. “You need to get knocked up, period.

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It seems like she's really experiencing that pregnancy "glow" that so many rave about. “Know that you’ve never gotten laid like this,” Palmer continues in the Instagram video. "Call me Keke Wyatt because I'm going to be pregnant for the rest of my life," she jokes, referring to R&B singer Keke Wyatt, who has 11 children.

"I do not lie!" She writes in the caption, inviting followers to check out her Instagram Story to see what her skin looks like without makeup. “Like my baby is already taking care of me?”

Based on her video, pregnancy seems to match Palmer's skin, but can pregnancy really clear up acne?

According to Laura Purdy, MD, a board-certified family physician and Wisp's chief medical officer, it turns out that the "glow" in pregnancy is a real thing, attributed to an increase in blood flow and oil production.

“Pregnancy causes significant hormonal changes in the body and this can often affect your skin,” adds Suneel Chilukuri, MD, FAAD, FACMS. "More estrogen [a sex hormone] is produced during a single pregnancy than is produced in a lifetime without pregnancy. As a result, many pregnant women have radiant, glowing skin." However, this hormonal change can also lead to acne and hyperpigmentation, he explains.

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"In fact, it is much more common for pregnancy to increase acne due to increased oil production and androgen levels, especially later in pregnancy," says Dr. Purdy. Of course, everyone is different, both experts emphasize.

“Any pregnant person and [their] The body's response to the changes that occur during pregnancy varies," says Dr. Chilukuri. Palmer's recent Instagram post "shows that every pregnancy and every experience with acne during pregnancy is unique," adds Dr. Purdy.

However, skin changes that occur during pregnancy are likely to return to normal after pregnancy due to falling hormone levels and a decrease in oil production, explains Dr. Purdy. “Unfortunately, when estrogen levels drop and testosterone levels rise after birth, you may experience acne flare-ups,” says Dr. Chilukuri.

As always, if you have specific questions about your health or skin care during pregnancy, it is best to consult your doctor for individualized care.