Congratulations! So you just got the lovely news that you are now pregnant but through all the joy and thanksgiving, you suddenly realise how pregnancy dealt a great blow on your friend. You can remember how it ruined her once glowing skin, how it made her nose bigger and how it generally made her sloppy and ugly. This does not necessarily have to be you. Here are a few skin care tips to keep you dainty and pretty all through your pregnancy.
- Stay hydrated: I bet you already know about this skin care tip but it truly cannot be over emphasised. Pregnant or not, drinking lots of water helps keep our skins hydrated and gets rid of toxins from the body. In pregnancy, severe dehydration can lead to decreased amounts of amniotic fluid increasing the risk of birth defects. It may also trigger contractions and premature labour.
- Sun protection: During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels trigger the multiplication of pigment cells, which can cause facial blotchiness, or “the mask of pregnancy.” This is also called melasma or chloasma and it appears when a steep rise in estrogen levels stimulates excess melanin production causing hyperpigmentation. It’s especially common in darker-skinned women, or those of Asian and African descent, who already have more pigment in their skin. It is therefore essential to restrict exposure to the sun and ensure the use of a sunscreen daily (remember to re apply every 2 hours).
- Moisturise: Asides from helping add moisture to your skin, moisturising also helps with stretch marks. Aloe vera gel helps to tighten the skin. Before the stretch marks have a chance to form, keep the skin moisturized by applying a natural emollient like cocoa butter or coconut oil to your stomach and breasts.
- Caution! Look out for what your products contain: There are several ingredients found normally in skin care products that can bring more harm than good to a pregnant woman. Some of the ingredients you should watch out for include topical retinoids (such as Retin-A or Differin) or salicylic acid .While these ingredients haven’t been linked with birth defects, there’s no conclusive evidence on their effects on pregnancy, hence it’s best to err on the side of caution. Also, avoid laser treatments and chemically based lightening treatments during pregnancy or while you’re breastfeeding, since they can potentially penetrate the skin. To be honest, it might be advisable to switch to an organic skin care range. If you decide to switch, the image ormedicskin care range would be perfect and safe for you.
- Makeup: Being pregnant does not mean you need to stay away from makeup, however ensure you look out for products that are non -comedogenic especially if you have acne-prone skin. The influx of progesterone during pregnancy can increase the production of oil in the sebaceous glands, you don’t want to make this worse with your makeup products.
- Regular antenatal care: Beyond all the beauty and skin care tips, the aim of a safe delivery is to ensure mother and baby are alive without any complications. Ensure you attend all antenatal visits and remember to take good care of yourself.
