Becoming a mother is one of the most beautiful experiences for a woman. As a living organism begins to grow, your body experiences entirely regular changes. Most of these transformations appear due to hormonal changes. They may also affect your skin and cause disorders that are annoying in some cases. However, having a pregnancy skin care plan can prevent them to some extent. Stay tuned to learn more about skincare during pregnancy.
Do not Neglect your Skin
Add skincare to the list of special care for this period. Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, the skin becomes more sensitive and may suffer minor injuries. Becaause of this, it is crucial to have a regular and preferably herbal skin care program during pregnancy. You can also search for pregnancy safe skin care brands to find the best products. These are of utmost importance for your sensitive skin.
Cleanse and moisturize your skin twice a day. This prevents acne, age spots, and wrinkles and cleans the remaining particles in the skin pores. Consequently, the skin becomes shiny and clear, and you look more beautiful. Do not forget to use products that are suitable for your skin type and do not contain harmful chemical compounds. So, a pregnancy safe face wash can come in handy for you.
Protect yourself from the sun
Don't neglect sunscreen even on cloudy and rainy days. Stay home during the hours of the day when the sun shines more intensely. Use sunscreen that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays (like mineral sunscreens that create a skin barrier).
Avoid taking anti-acne medications
If you used oral or topical anti-acne medications before pregnancy, stop using them during this period. Medicines that contain Retin-A, Accutane, and other retinoids can be absorbed through the skin and transferred to the fetus's bloodstream. These compounds can cause birth defects in the baby's face, heart, and brain.
Prevent stretch marks
Pregnancy is one of the most prevailing times when stretch marks occur. These fine lines usually appear on the skin after the third month and affect about 50-90% of the skin of pregnant women. Because of hormonal changes as well as an increase in size, the skin is subjected to pressure, stretching, and cracks. These cracks first appear pink and purple. After childbirth, they gradually become lighter and turn white or gray.
Exercise
Various exercises are recommended for pregnant women. You can attend pregnancy yoga classes or Lamaze classes that are special for this period.
Drink water
One of the rules of beauty is to drink plenty of water and keep your body hydrated. Water not only improves blood circulation and detoxification of the body but also preserves amniotic fluid. If you have been neglecting it until today, resume drinking water immediately because it is necessary for your and your child's health to drink at least 2 liters daily. Do not forget that even the best pregnancy safe face moisturizer cannot be replaced by water during this period.
Eat healthy food
It would be best if you were careful about what you eat during this time. A complete and nutritious diet is necessary for the body's overall health and contributes to the skin's health. Daily use of vegtables and fruits, in addition to providing nutrients needed by the fetus and your body, also helps to repair the skin.
Wear less makeup
Your skin becomes more sensitive during this period due to hormonal changes. So, don't bother your skin with heavy makeup, especially products that contain synthetic and chemical compounds. Also, use products that are water-based and easy to wash. These are considered pregnancy safe skin care.
Watch your Weight
It would help if you watched your weight during pregnancy. Some believe that mothers should take advantage of this opportunity and eat whatever they want and not worry about obesity and being overweight. A particular weight gain during pregnancy is normal, but you should not be indifferent to it and cause yourself to be overweight in the wrong ways.
Get enough sleep
Fatigue is one of the symptoms expected to be experienced by all mothers, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. Adequate and timely rest is crucial because it is during this time that the mind and body get a chance to renew.
Skin Care Pregnancy Safe Products
So, what skin care products are safe to use during pregnancy? Here are some of them:
Erythromycin
Research has shown that oral erythromycin during pregnancy is not dangerous for the fetus.
Clindamycin
The use of oral and topical Clindamycin during pregnancy does not cause complications or defects for the fetus, except in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Alpha-hydroxy acid
Usually, acne-relieving and skin-protecting drugs contain alpha hydroxy acid, which is not prohibited during pregnancy.
Glycolic acid
No study has been conducted on the use of glycolic acid during pregnancy. But its limited absorption by the skin can probably not cause pregnancy problems. Other skin medicines such as vitamin C, lactic acid, azithromycin, amoxicillin, azelaic acid, and penicillin are not prohibited and are safe during pregnancy.
What Skin Products are not Safe during Pregnancy?
Medicines rubbed on the skin's surface enter the body and circulatory system. They can reach the fetus by passing through the placenta and cause fetal problems or abortion. Therefore, you should use any skin medicine with caution during pregnancy.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is used as a cell rejuvenator to reduce the harmful effects of sun radiation. Ointments to treat acne scars and skin exfoliation should not be used during pregnancy. These drugs can disrupt the growth of the fetus inside the mother's womb. Research has shown that using a large amount of vitamin A during pregnancy damages the fetus.
Beta hydroxy acid
Some creams used in skin exfoliation contain a substance called “beta hydroxy acid” that can help heal red spots and pimples. Although the effect of this medicine is excellent, pregnant women should not use it. Some studies have proven birth defects resulting from consuming large amounts of beta-hydroxy acid during pregnancy.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can be somewhat included in the category of aspirin, which is mainly used in some anti-acne ointments, skin rejuvenating lotions, and even cosmetics. It is forbidden to use salicylic acid products during pregnancy due to the sensitivity of the first trimester and the possibility of injury.
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is one of the types of antibiotics which is also used to heal pimples. But due to its risks to the fetus, its use is prohibited during pregnancy.
Retinoid
The discovery of retinoids from the vitamin A category caused a massive revolution in treating many skin problems. This substance can be considered a skin rejuvenator by accelerating the production of new layers and protecting the skin. Most acne treatment ointments contain a retinoid known as retinol, retinyl, retinoic acid, and retinyl palmitate. Oral and topical retinoids are prohibited during pregnancy due to complications and fetal abnormalities.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is one of the medications used to improve pregnancy spots and melasma, which can be absorbed by a large percentage of its topical types every time it is used. Although the harm of hydroquinone to the fetus is not known yet, it can be harmful due to its high absorption. Therefore, it should be rigidly avoided during pregnancy. Other methods should be used to remove or cover brown spots during pregnancy.
Benzoyl peroxide
Although the amount of absorption of benzoyl peroxide is meager, it decomposes inside the skin. It is excreted through urine. Since its effect on pregnancy is still unknown, it is recommended not to use it during pregnancy.
Other skin products such as doxycycline, minocycline, spironolactone, and fluorouracil are dangerous during pregnancy and should be avoided.
Conclusion
It's normal to feel annoyed during this period because you have given your body to a living being to feed and grow. So, be patient with the reactions your body may show. But it would help if you did not neglect skin care during pregnancy because your body has taken on a big responsibility. So, it needs your help to get through this period better. Along with medical care, don't forget self-care because taking simple tips gives you a healthier body and more beautiful skin. Our last suggestion is to smile. Always smile and enjoy this period.