20 Useful Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
Posted by Editor on Sep 24, 2015 in Skin Care During Pregnancy | Comments Off on 20 Useful Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time for expectant moms. However, it also comes with a lot of troubles. You have to deal with sleepless nights, weight gain and various skin issues.
These skin problems may cause pregnant women to be overly conscious about their appearance. Some think that they can’t do anything and simply have to accept the fact that blemishes, stretch marks and dark spots are part of pregnancy. But there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your skin’s health for the next 9 months.
There are several reasons why pregnant women develop various skin issues. First, your hormonal balance gets disrupted during pregnancy. This can have an effect on the production of melanin, putting it into overdrive that causes dark spots to appear. These spots are often called mask of pregnancy. This is the reason why many pregnant moms look for skin lightening products to get rid of the spots.
Weight gain is another issue during pregnancy. This is something all expectant moms simply have to deal with, as they will inevitably gain weight because they’re supporting another human inside their belly.
Rapid weight gain results to stretch marks. This happens when the connective tissues in the skin break. 9 out of 10 pregnant women will get stretch marks, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy.
There’s also the problem about stress. Pregnancy can prove to be one of the most difficult challenges you will have to face. It can be very stressful, causing you to sleep less at night and be unable to make the best decisions when it comes to taking care of your health.
Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with these skin problems for the rest of your life. The following are some tips on how to care for your skin during pregnancy as well as after you have already given birth.
Experts agree that what you eat can affect how your skin looks. It is important that you eat a balanced diet not just to ensure your and your baby’s health but to also keep your skin looking young and healthy. While many are still skeptical about the correlation of your diet and your skin’s appearance, it’s best to be one the safe side.
Make sure you reach your daily nutritional requirements. Eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that will help prevent different skin issues.
2. Be Careful About Using Topical Products
You may be using different skin care products, but now that you’re carrying a baby, you have to be more careful about your product choices. Not all skin care products are safe for pregnant women.
Many contain ingredients that can prove to be harmful to both you and your baby. You need to do a bit of research when it comes to this matter. Look up what ingredients you should avoid. Also make it a point to consult your healthcare provider and ask what’s safe and what’s not.
3. Get Sufficient Sleep
This one’s easier said than done especially when you’re pregnant, but getting enough sleep is crucial in keeping your skin looking at its best. It’s recommended that you stick to a regular sleeping routine. Basically, this means sleeping and waking up at the same time every day. Taking short naps during the afternoon can also help a lot in making you feel well rested.
4. Avoid Over Washing Your Face
Many make the mistake of thinking that washing the face several times a day keeps it clean. This can actually have the opposite effect as you are stripping away the natural oil your skin needs to maintain its elasticity. This oil serves as a natural moisturizer, so you wouldn’t want to take it away from your skin. It’s recommended to wash your face twice a day at most, once in the morning and once before going to bed.
5. Exfoliate Regularly
Most people’s skin care regimen doesn’t include regular exfoliation. This process is essential in getting rid of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This allows new skin cells to rise to the surface, giving you a more youthful look.
It’s best to stick with a gentle exfoliator when you’re pregnant. You can talk to your dermatologist about product suggestions. Do this once or twice a week and you should see a significant improvement in your skin’s appearance.
6. Moisturize Your Skin
Keeping your skin moisturized makes it less prone to various skin disorders. This explains why fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear as you age, as the skin tends to become drier the older you get. It’s also a myth that people with oily skin should avoid moisturizing.
The key is finding the right product for you. To help with this, it’s best to talk to your dermatologist. Using a moisturizer with a broad spectrum sunscreen is highly recommended.
7. Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Dermatologists agree that wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best things you can do for your skin. This is because excessive sun exposure is the number one cause of different skin problems. These issues range from dark spots, wrinkles, melasma and even skin cancer.
Even if you’re not the type of person who stays under the sun often, it’s still recommended to wear sunscreen. You should also re-apply after every 2 to 3 hours to ensure your skin is always protected.
8. Go Natural
Many expectant moms worry about using skin care products as they are unsure whether the chemicals in them can cause harm to their baby. If you’re included in this group, then you can always choose the natural route.
There are plenty of natural ingredients you can find in your kitchen that can help alleviate various skin issues. You can look online for natural remedies for the specific problems you’re dealing with.
Just remember that when something isn’t working or is causing your skin problems to get worse, discontinue immediately.
9. Avoid Retinoids
There are several ingredients that prove to be very effective at improving your skin’s appearance, but not all of them can be safely used by pregnant women. One such ingredient is retinoids, which is derived from Vitamin A. Retinoids can be found on various anti-aging skin care products.
They have been found to be extremely effective at preventing various signs of aging as it enhances collagen production. But expectant moms should steer clear of them, especially oral retinoids.
10. Don’t Use Salicylic Acid
When suffering from pregnancy acne, the first ingredient you might think of using is salicylic acid. It’s a very common ingredient found in facial cleansers and toners. It penetrates the pores and cleans out dead skin cells. However, it’s best to avoid using any product containing salicylic acid when you’re pregnant.
High doses of salicylic acid in its oral form are linked to birth defects and different pregnancy complications. Topical use of salicylic acid is generally safe, but doctors still recommend expectant moms to stay away from them. Avoid face and body peels that contain the acid as well. Always consult your dermatologist before proceeding with these advanced procedures.
11. Avoid Soy
Soy is one of the most common natural ingredients found in skin care products. Since it’s natural, you wouldn’t view it as having adverse effects on your pregnancy. But in reality, soy can actually do more harm than good.
Soy has estrogenic effects, which exacerbate mask of pregnancy. These darks spots can get even darker, so it’s best to steer clear of soy. Instead, look for products that contain %u201Cactive soy%u201D as it doesn’t have the same estrogenic effects.
12. Treat Pregnancy Acne
Changing estrogen levels during pregnancy can result to acne, particularly in the first trimester. Dermatologists usually prescribe topical antibiotics to get rid of acne. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter treatment, you can buy a facial wash containing 2% salicylic acid.
This amount is considered safe for pregnant women, but it’s still recommended to consult a doctor prior to use. Stay away from leave-on acne gels, creams and lotions. They typically contain high doses of salicylic acid.
13. Be Careful When Using Hair Removers And Minimizers
It’s so convenient that you can just apply lotion to remove hair chemically when you can barely reach your legs. There’s no need to worry about using hair removers and minimizers during pregnancy, but if you’ve had an allergic reaction before, then you might want to think twice about using these products again.
These topical solutions aren’t absorbed into the blood stream, so they are generally considered safe. Just remember to use the products as directed on the label.
14. Use The Right Makeup
You must also keep an eye out on the makeup products you use when you’re pregnant. It is highly recommended to look for and use makeup products labeled noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic, which means they do not clog pores and cause acne.
On the other hand, you should avoid using cosmetics with retinol or salicylic acid. You can also stick to minerals-only makeup products. These only sit on the surface of the skin, which causes less irritation for most people.
15. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is another ingredient commonly found in various skin care products. Studies indicate that the use of glycolic does not cause any side effects during pregnancy. If you use any products containing the acid, there shouldn’t be any worries as only a very minimal amount gets absorbed into your system.
16. Say No To Hydroquinone
Since dark spots, melasma and mask of pregnancy are very common among pregnant women, many turn to skin lightening products to even out their skin tone. The most popular ingredient of skin lightening products is hydroquinone.
This is a powerful substance which inhibits the growth of melanin, allowing the skin the look noticeably lighter. However, long term use of hydroquinone is linked to cancer and the development of permanent blue or gray lines in the skin. It is best to stay away from hydroquinone and use other safe ingredients instead.
17. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient used to treat acne. Topical application of benzoyl peroxide involves a very minimal 5% absorption through the skin. This amount doesn’t result to any harmful side effects.
The use of this product is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but make sure there are no other chemicals that might cause unwanted side effects.
18. Alleviate Stress
Stress can disrupt your hormonal balance and cause various skin issues. Alleviating stress in your life can go a long way when it comes to improving your skin’s appearance. One of the simplest ways to get rid of stress is to have sufficient sleep every night.
Eating a balanced diet can also keep your mood up throughout the day. You can also practice yoga, meditation and breathing exercises.
19. Exercise Regularly
The last thing you might want to do when you’re carrying a baby in your belly is to move around. However, it has been shown that light exercises can help improve your health during pregnancy. They also offer the benefit of alleviating stress, which in turn makes your skin look younger.
20. Consult Your Healthcare Provider
During pregnancy, you are bound to experience different health concerns. You should make it a point to consult your doctor immediately when something bothers you, be it a skin problem or something more general.
Remember that your baby’s health is also at stake, so visit your healthcare provider to have proper diagnosis and have the appropriate treatment administered.
Comments are closed.
20 Useful Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
20 Useful Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
Posted by Editor on Sep 24, 2015 in Skin Care During Pregnancy | Comments Off on 20 Useful Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time for expectant moms. However, it also comes with a lot of troubles. You have to deal with sleepless nights, weight gain and various skin issues.
These skin problems may cause pregnant women to be overly conscious about their appearance. Some think that they can’t do anything and simply have to accept the fact that blemishes, stretch marks and dark spots are part of pregnancy. But there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your skin’s health for the next 9 months.
There are several reasons why pregnant women develop various skin issues. First, your hormonal balance gets disrupted during pregnancy. This can have an effect on the production of melanin, putting it into overdrive that causes dark spots to appear. These spots are often called mask of pregnancy. This is the reason why many pregnant moms look for skin lightening products to get rid of the spots.
Weight gain is another issue during pregnancy. This is something all expectant moms simply have to deal with, as they will inevitably gain weight because they’re supporting another human inside their belly.
Rapid weight gain results to stretch marks. This happens when the connective tissues in the skin break. 9 out of 10 pregnant women will get stretch marks, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy.
There’s also the problem about stress. Pregnancy can prove to be one of the most difficult challenges you will have to face. It can be very stressful, causing you to sleep less at night and be unable to make the best decisions when it comes to taking care of your health.
Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with these skin problems for the rest of your life. The following are some tips on how to care for your skin during pregnancy as well as after you have already given birth.
Experts agree that what you eat can affect how your skin looks. It is important that you eat a balanced diet not just to ensure your and your baby’s health but to also keep your skin looking young and healthy. While many are still skeptical about the correlation of your diet and your skin’s appearance, it’s best to be one the safe side.
Make sure you reach your daily nutritional requirements. Eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that will help prevent different skin issues.
2. Be Careful About Using Topical Products
You may be using different skin care products, but now that you’re carrying a baby, you have to be more careful about your product choices. Not all skin care products are safe for pregnant women.
Many contain ingredients that can prove to be harmful to both you and your baby. You need to do a bit of research when it comes to this matter. Look up what ingredients you should avoid. Also make it a point to consult your healthcare provider and ask what’s safe and what’s not.
3. Get Sufficient Sleep
This one’s easier said than done especially when you’re pregnant, but getting enough sleep is crucial in keeping your skin looking at its best. It’s recommended that you stick to a regular sleeping routine. Basically, this means sleeping and waking up at the same time every day. Taking short naps during the afternoon can also help a lot in making you feel well rested.
4. Avoid Over Washing Your Face
Many make the mistake of thinking that washing the face several times a day keeps it clean. This can actually have the opposite effect as you are stripping away the natural oil your skin needs to maintain its elasticity. This oil serves as a natural moisturizer, so you wouldn’t want to take it away from your skin. It’s recommended to wash your face twice a day at most, once in the morning and once before going to bed.
5. Exfoliate Regularly
Most people’s skin care regimen doesn’t include regular exfoliation. This process is essential in getting rid of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This allows new skin cells to rise to the surface, giving you a more youthful look.
It’s best to stick with a gentle exfoliator when you’re pregnant. You can talk to your dermatologist about product suggestions. Do this once or twice a week and you should see a significant improvement in your skin’s appearance.
6. Moisturize Your Skin
Keeping your skin moisturized makes it less prone to various skin disorders. This explains why fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear as you age, as the skin tends to become drier the older you get. It’s also a myth that people with oily skin should avoid moisturizing.
The key is finding the right product for you. To help with this, it’s best to talk to your dermatologist. Using a moisturizer with a broad spectrum sunscreen is highly recommended.
7. Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Dermatologists agree that wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best things you can do for your skin. This is because excessive sun exposure is the number one cause of different skin problems. These issues range from dark spots, wrinkles, melasma and even skin cancer.
Even if you’re not the type of person who stays under the sun often, it’s still recommended to wear sunscreen. You should also re-apply after every 2 to 3 hours to ensure your skin is always protected.
8. Go Natural
Many expectant moms worry about using skin care products as they are unsure whether the chemicals in them can cause harm to their baby. If you’re included in this group, then you can always choose the natural route.
There are plenty of natural ingredients you can find in your kitchen that can help alleviate various skin issues. You can look online for natural remedies for the specific problems you’re dealing with.
Just remember that when something isn’t working or is causing your skin problems to get worse, discontinue immediately.
9. Avoid Retinoids
There are several ingredients that prove to be very effective at improving your skin’s appearance, but not all of them can be safely used by pregnant women. One such ingredient is retinoids, which is derived from Vitamin A. Retinoids can be found on various anti-aging skin care products.
They have been found to be extremely effective at preventing various signs of aging as it enhances collagen production. But expectant moms should steer clear of them, especially oral retinoids.
10. Don’t Use Salicylic Acid
When suffering from pregnancy acne, the first ingredient you might think of using is salicylic acid. It’s a very common ingredient found in facial cleansers and toners. It penetrates the pores and cleans out dead skin cells. However, it’s best to avoid using any product containing salicylic acid when you’re pregnant.
High doses of salicylic acid in its oral form are linked to birth defects and different pregnancy complications. Topical use of salicylic acid is generally safe, but doctors still recommend expectant moms to stay away from them. Avoid face and body peels that contain the acid as well. Always consult your dermatologist before proceeding with these advanced procedures.
11. Avoid Soy
Soy is one of the most common natural ingredients found in skin care products. Since it’s natural, you wouldn’t view it as having adverse effects on your pregnancy. But in reality, soy can actually do more harm than good.
Soy has estrogenic effects, which exacerbate mask of pregnancy. These darks spots can get even darker, so it’s best to steer clear of soy. Instead, look for products that contain %u201Cactive soy%u201D as it doesn’t have the same estrogenic effects.
12. Treat Pregnancy Acne
Changing estrogen levels during pregnancy can result to acne, particularly in the first trimester. Dermatologists usually prescribe topical antibiotics to get rid of acne. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter treatment, you can buy a facial wash containing 2% salicylic acid.
This amount is considered safe for pregnant women, but it’s still recommended to consult a doctor prior to use. Stay away from leave-on acne gels, creams and lotions. They typically contain high doses of salicylic acid.
13. Be Careful When Using Hair Removers And Minimizers
It’s so convenient that you can just apply lotion to remove hair chemically when you can barely reach your legs. There’s no need to worry about using hair removers and minimizers during pregnancy, but if you’ve had an allergic reaction before, then you might want to think twice about using these products again.
These topical solutions aren’t absorbed into the blood stream, so they are generally considered safe. Just remember to use the products as directed on the label.
14. Use The Right Makeup
You must also keep an eye out on the makeup products you use when you’re pregnant. It is highly recommended to look for and use makeup products labeled noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic, which means they do not clog pores and cause acne.
On the other hand, you should avoid using cosmetics with retinol or salicylic acid. You can also stick to minerals-only makeup products. These only sit on the surface of the skin, which causes less irritation for most people.
15. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is another ingredient commonly found in various skin care products. Studies indicate that the use of glycolic does not cause any side effects during pregnancy. If you use any products containing the acid, there shouldn’t be any worries as only a very minimal amount gets absorbed into your system.
16. Say No To Hydroquinone
Since dark spots, melasma and mask of pregnancy are very common among pregnant women, many turn to skin lightening products to even out their skin tone. The most popular ingredient of skin lightening products is hydroquinone.
This is a powerful substance which inhibits the growth of melanin, allowing the skin the look noticeably lighter. However, long term use of hydroquinone is linked to cancer and the development of permanent blue or gray lines in the skin. It is best to stay away from hydroquinone and use other safe ingredients instead.
17. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient used to treat acne. Topical application of benzoyl peroxide involves a very minimal 5% absorption through the skin. This amount doesn’t result to any harmful side effects.
The use of this product is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but make sure there are no other chemicals that might cause unwanted side effects.
18. Alleviate Stress
Stress can disrupt your hormonal balance and cause various skin issues. Alleviating stress in your life can go a long way when it comes to improving your skin’s appearance. One of the simplest ways to get rid of stress is to have sufficient sleep every night.
Eating a balanced diet can also keep your mood up throughout the day. You can also practice yoga, meditation and breathing exercises.
19. Exercise Regularly
The last thing you might want to do when you’re carrying a baby in your belly is to move around. However, it has been shown that light exercises can help improve your health during pregnancy. They also offer the benefit of alleviating stress, which in turn makes your skin look younger.
20. Consult Your Healthcare Provider
During pregnancy, you are bound to experience different health concerns. You should make it a point to consult your doctor immediately when something bothers you, be it a skin problem or something more general.
Remember that your baby’s health is also at stake, so visit your healthcare provider to have proper diagnosis and have the appropriate treatment administered.
Comments are closed.
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