Pregnancy has the power to make a woman glow with inner happiness and a very special kind of beauty. However, despite the fact that this should be one of the happiest periods of your life, being pregnant can be physically taxing for your body and this will reflect on your appearance. This means that you shouldn’t forego your regular skincare procedures, and you need to adjust them in order to ensure that they are safe and effective.
Your hormone levels will shift drastically during pregnancy. This can lead to a variety of skin problems, and some of them may persist even after you give birth. The following tips should help you prevent this from happening and ensure that your skin remains smooth and beautiful at all times.
- Choose
acne treatments wisely.
Pregnancy acne is extremely common and can occur even if you haven’t had a single pimple in years. It is caused by hormonal changes in your body and if left untreated, can cause scarring. The areas around your mouth and chin usually are the ones most affected.
You can use specialized acne treatments to combat this problem, but be sure to study the labels carefully. Avoid any products that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids. They are effective against acne and are safe most of the time, but these compounds can negatively affect the development of your unborn child.
Instead you should try some topical products based on sulphur, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, or alpha hydroxyl acids. Erythromycin cream can be used if all the other treatments prove to be ineffective. - Avoid
sunlight and use high quality SPF products.
One of the biggest cosmetic issues caused by pregnancy is pigmentation, known as “pregnancy mask”. This is a condition that occurs due to hormonal changes and exposure to sunlight. It can affect any woman, regardless of her complexion. Darkish pigment spots usually appear around the contours of your face. However, some ladies also develop pigmentation around nipples, between thighs, or around the center of the belly. Severity of the pigmentation is impossible to predict and the spots might persist for a long time.
You shouldn’t use any whitening products to get rid of the spots that have already appeared as their safety for pregnant women is yet to be proven.
The best prevention tip is to avoid sunlight exposure and use sunscreen with high SPF count every time you go outdoors. It’s best to use the sunblocks based on soy as they are the safest. Bear in mind that you need to apply UV protection regardless of the season.
Topical products that contain vitamin C and azelaic acid are considered safe and can help reduce pigmentation. - Try
to prevent stretch marks.
One of the most unattractive pregnancy effects on your skin are stretch marks. They can be barely noticeable, like faint scars, but they can also be livid purple and extremely noticeable.
There are dozens of products advertised as effective preventative treatments, but few of them are truly effective. Try the ones that contain glycolic acid and green tea.
The severity of stretch marks is hereditary in the majority of cases, so there is no real way to prevent them. Nowadays, you can effectively remove these marks after giving birth by undergoing several laser treatments. - Is
Botox dangerous?
There is no proof of Botox or other wrinkle fillers being dangerous for the health of your fetus. However, it is better to avoid the risk and postpone these procedures until after you deliver the baby. You can still use topical anti-aging treatments if they don’t contain any harsh chemicals. It will be best to consult your doctor about this if you feel that the health of your child might be in danger.