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PREGNANCY AND SKIN CARE

Pregnancy is an important part of a woman's life. A time when she feels beautiful, a unique feeling of being special as a life grows inside her. It's a time when there are many changes in the body, the hormones are fluctuating constantly. If there are nuances like morning sickness and increasing weight but then there are these special food cravings and glowing skin.

Though pregnancy is considered to be a normal physiological phenomenon, but there are many changes occurring in the woman's body. There are constant hormonal fluctuations which affect the skin. If there is glowing complexion known as glow of pregnancy (unique only to a pregnant woman), it also brings in few other changes in the body like oily/dry skin, pimples, blemishes, dry and itchy skin. One may notice a remission or flaring up of already existing skin problems.

ACNE/PIMPLES

If you have had pimples in your teen years, chances are you may have a break out during your pregnancy and few may see clearing of the pimples. There may be a possibility that you may have a break out of pimples during your pregnancy, whereas, you have never had pimples in your lifetime. These are the result of changing hormonal levels in the body during pregnancy.

A few skin care tips to keep the pimples away.

Change your cosmetics, according to your skin type now i.e. If it's oily or dry.

Wash your face twice a day with a good cleanser.

Use an oil free moisturizer.

Avoid using make up.

If these does not help see your dermatologist for guidance. Be aware that that gels or creams that you used to treat your acne before pregnancy may not be safe to use during pregnancy, as they may have an adverse effect on the growing baby inside you. We are generally aware of harmful effects of oral medicines or injections on the baby but we do not consider that even the creams can have an adverse affect. The creams and gels are absorbed from our skin into the blood circulation. Remember to ask your doctor if the creams and gels prescribed by the doctor are safe for the baby too.

MELASMA/BLEMISHES/MASK OF PREGNANCY

The butterfly shaped pigmentation seen on the nose and spreading to the cheeks is commonly known as blemishes or mask of pregnancy or melasma (the technical word) for it. The pigmentation may also be seen on forehead and chin. The reason is change in hormonal status, increase in nutritional requirement and of course sun exposure.

Care of Skin

  • Wash face twice a day with a gentle cleanser or soap.
  • Use a good moisturizer.
  • Use a sunscreen! every time you go out.
  • Take your vitamin supplements as recommended by the doctor.

WARNING

The creams or gels used by you before pregnancy or by someone in your friend or family circle, would be harmful to the baby during pregnancy.

Avoid treatments.

Tell your dermatologist that you are pregnant, so that he/she would recommend safe creams for the fetus.

The blemishes usually disappear on their own after delivery, if you follow the skin care mentioned above. If they do persist after delivery, then visit your dermatologist, who will help you treat them.

STRETCH MARKS

Due to the increasing weight, and increase in abdominal girth, the collagen and elastin fibers are damaged, leading to stretch marks. The stretch marks are initially seen as red/purplish linear lines on the abdomen/thighs/breasts/arms and later change to silver lines. To minimize the stretch marks, use a good moisturizer twice a day or apply any of the pure oils, for eg coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil. Keep the skin well hydrated and moisturized. The stretch marks usually disappear after delivery, if not get guidance to treat them from your doctor.

DRY AND ITCHY SKIN

The skin during pregnancy tends to get dry and itchy. Keep the skin well hydrated by using good moisturizer or Anu of the pure oils like coconut/olive/almond oil. A gentle application on the whole body immediately after bath, as this locks in the moisture and keeps the skin well hydrated.

DOS AND DONTS
  • Do not use hot water for bathing, instead use Luke warm water in winters and fresh water during summers
  • Wear loose, cotton clothes
  • Avoid spicy and preserved food. Eat fresh home cooked and use fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.
  • Keep the skin well moisturized.
  • Drink plenty of water, to keep the skin hydrated.
  • If the rash increases, do visit your doctor, who will help you overcome the itching and rash. As, sometimes the rashes can be more than just a case of simple dryness and itching. Certain kind of hormonal changes in the body can lead to skin problems and adversely effect the baby in utero. The dermatologist will evaluate it and guide you in treatment.
EXISTING SKIN PROBLEMS

If you already have some skin problems for example atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne etc prior to pregnancy, these may aggravate during pregnancy or you may also go under remission during pregnancy. Visit your dermatologist, who would help you take care of these. As I mentioned earlier skin treatment would change during pregnancy. Do not use the creams and gels which you were using before pregnancy. As the creams, gels and lotions get absorbed from the skin and can have detrimental effect on the baby growing in you.

The crux is keep skin care to minimal, take good, healthy and nutritious diet, exercise, go out for regular walks in the open and green areas or yoga.

The most important aspect is relax and enjoy your special time, your pregnancy. Feel the baby grow inside you

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