Skincare Safe Products During Pregnancy

Skincare During Pregnancy How to Treat Common Skincare Problems With Pregnancy Safe Products Skin problems often arise during pregnancy. While most conditions are resolved shortly after delivery, below you will find some common skin issues and pregnancy safe skin products to use while pregnant. Melasma Caused by an overproduction of melanin due to hormonal changes, melasma is the darkening of the skin of a pregnant woman's face. Also known as "chloasma" or "the mask of pregnancy" How To Treat it? • Makeup and concealers with white and yellow undertones can be used to cover the darkness. Overexposure to sun can worsen the condition, and it typically fades soon after the birth. • Wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher can prevent further darkening of skin in the sun. Common among individuals and ethnic A groups who already have dark skin, and seems to run in families. • Prescription products containing azelaic acid and topical vitamin C products have been shown to naturally suppress skin pigmentation. • Soy based sunscreens have been shown to have some effect on lightening skin. Stretch Marks Stretch marks are red or purple lines on the abdomen, breasts, and thighs. They are caused by the pulling and stretching that skin undergoes in the Course of pregnancy. This causes minor tears just beneath the skin allowing the skin to stretch. of women during pregnancy experience stretch marks (typically in the 6th or 7th month). 90% How To Treat it? • Moisturizer can be used to improve the They typically fade as time goes on after delivery, but may never disappear entirely. appearance and reduce itchiness, while sunless tanning products can be used to hide the marks. O While stretch marks are extremely common, their A prevalence is now thought to be hereditary, and there is little that can be done to • It has been suggested that topical creams containing glycolic acid and/or green tea are the most effective preparations, but the science behind managing stretch marks during pregnancy is lacking. prevent them from appearing. While stretch marks cannot be entirely avoided during pregnancy, they can be minimized by weight gain during pregnancy, ensuring slow and steady growth. Itchy Skin Itching may be found all over the body due to the stretching of skin during pregnancy. Itchy red palms and foot soles are a common issue, caused by increases in the hormone estrogen. Like most skin conditions that arise because o pregnancy, the problem is usually resolved quickly following delivery. How To Treat it? • While it is difficult to make the underlying cause of the itching go away, the itchiness itself can be relieved through the use of over-the-counter mentholated or oatmeal based moisturizers without artificial scents. • Using mild soaps when washing and avoiding very hot showers can prevent itching from becoming more of a problem. Acne Women who were prone to acne, and even some that aren't, may experience acne when they become pregnant. As the body's production of hormones during pregnancy causes the skin to become excessively oily, acne is likely. This commonly occurs around the mouth. Increased oil production in the skin is one of the sources of the so-called "glow" associated with pregnant women. How To Treat it? • Fragrance-free facial soaps used regularly and followed with oil-free moisturizer are a good way to ensure that oil does not build up. • Some over-the-counter acne products such as astringents can help, but care must be taken to avoid those containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids, as these are considered unsafe for pregnant women to use. Puffiness in the Eyelids and Face Increased blood circulation during the third trimester may cause the face and eyelids to become puffy, especially in the morning. Though the condition is usually harmless, puffiness and sudden weight gain may signal problems requiring the attention of a doctor. How To Treat it? • Ice and cold packs often make for a good DIY treatment, but otherwise, increased vitamin and mineral consumption is often recommended, along with the use of an eye cream with aloe and vitamin E. Rashes Some women also develop harmless but itchy red bumps on their abdomens late in pregnancy, which can spread to the arms, legs, and buttocks. PUPPP is a rash involving red papules and skin plaques, often associated with multiple pregnancies. The effect of hormones on sweat glands can cause ar increased amount of sweating in pregnant women, potentially leading to a higher risk of heat rash. How To Treat it? Avold showers that are tao hot, as they may dry and further irritate the skin. • Mild rashes can be treated with over-the-counter topical moisturizers, without fragrances, while more severe cases may require prescription corticosteroids. Wear loose fitting clothing when going out in warm weather to minimize the risk of irritating or developing new heat rashes. Unsafe Products Retinoid Salicylic Acid • Retinoids are a type of vitamin A commonly found in anti aging moisturizers. • Topical salicylic acid is an ingredient in a variety of cosmetic and acne products. Like retinoid, salicylic acid has been shown to cause birth defects and pregnancy complications when high doses are taken orally. • They work by speeding up cell division, which speeds the renewal of skin and prevents skin collagen from breaking down. • The common knowledge that high doses of vitamin A can lead to birth defects leads • While there is little to no evidence linking the topical use of salicylic acid in small doses to birth defects or pregnancy complications, physicians often find it best to be most physicians to advise pregnant women to stay away from moisturizers and other skin creams containing retinoids. cautious, and recommend that pregnant women avoid the use of such products. Resources: https://www.ad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/mom-and-baby-skin-care http://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/ibrary/118_article_Melasma_Unmasked.html http://www.eyehealthweb.com/puffy-eyes/ http://www.jaoa.osteopathic.org/content/102/1/44.full.pdf http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/skin-changes-during-pregnancy/ http://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/skin-changes.aspx http://www.babycenter.com/O_sate-skin-care-during-pregnancy_14Y0331.bo http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/pregnancy- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114665/ Ey-skin-care-get-that-glow