Congratulations to all the pregnant ladies out there! A pregnant woman is a beautiful sight. Your body is changing, and so is your skin. But do not allow these changes to unnerve you. Read on to learn more about skin care in pregnancy, what’s safe to use, and tips to manage unpleasant skin ailments during this time.
Your body is going through a sea-tide of physical, physiological and hormonal changes. Your skin is glowing, your hair is looking thick and lustrous, and you are receiving a lot of love and attention from all of your loved ones. However, you are also concerned about the new freckles across your face, stretch marks appearing over your belly, pimples on your face and dry and itchy skin. You are getting confused with all the warnings you are receiving from friends or the media about what’s safe and unsafe to do during pregnancy. Allow a dermatologist to help you understand what’s going on with your skin right now. This article will also give you some scientific clarity on the skin care dos and don’ts during pregnancy.
The dark areas of your skin, like the skin on your upper lip, your nipples, inner thighs and your genital skin, will turn darker. This is more noticeable in dark skinned women. Pre-existing moles and freckles also become darker and more prominent. Even old scars and birthmarks may look darker. Many women notice a dark line running down from their navel to their pubis. This line is called the Linea Nigra. Most women already have a very faint white line in that area (they may not even be aware of it), and that line turns brown and prominent during pregnancy. The most distressing problem is the appearance of brown blotchy patches on your cheeks or nose during your second and third trimester. This condition is called ‘Chloasma’ or the ‘mask of pregnancy’ as it creates the appearance of a half mask across the upper half of your face. All these pigmentary changes are caused by the hormonal upheavals in your body during your pregnant state. Chloasma can create a lot of social embarrassment and many crying spells, but the good news is that it will disappear on its own. Use a sunscreen and avoid going out in the sun without protection, as this will darken your freckles and chloasma. Physical and chemical sunscreens are absolutely safe to use during pregnancy. If your chloasma is bothering you, and if concealers are not a satisfactory option for you, then consult a dermatologist before you pick up a bleaching cream from the beauty store. Creams containing Vitamin C, Azelaic acid and Glycolic Acid are safe to use during pregnancy. Avoid skin lightening creams containing Mercury or Hydroquinone as their detrimental effects on the unborn fetus is documented fact. Post-delivery, avoid going back on hormonal contraception (like birth control pills) as they can worsen your pigmentation. If the skin all over your body turns a shade darker without any reasonable explanation, then it might be wise to have your thyroid gland tested.
If you already suffer from acne, your skin might turn oily and you might notice more severe pimple breakouts during the second and third trimester of your pregnancy. Unfortunately, most anti-acne creams and tablets are forbidden for pregnant and nursing women. Retinoid containing anti-acne creams can even cause serious birth defects in the fetus. For the particularly severe cases, where there is a risk of facial scarring from the acne, it is relatively safe to use Clindamycin, Erythromycin and Azelaic acid gels after the 4th month of your pregnancy. Use a tea-tree oil face wash (avoid Salicylic acid based cleansers), keep your face clean and dry, keep your nails off your face, avoid facials and steam bath, and do not experiment with home remedies like toothpaste. Frequent washing or daily use of face scrubs is counter-productive. Get blackheads and whiteheads manually removed by a dermatologist. You can also use face-packs made from Fuller’s earth or sandalwood powder, to get rid of excess oil and loosen blackheads. Blackhead removal strips are also safe to use.
Hormonal changes along with rapid stretching of your skin can leave you with ugly stretch marks. These may be inevitable if you are carrying twins or have gained too much weight during your pregnancy. Keep your skin well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using thick emollient creams like cocoa butter. Apply mineral oil (Baby oil) or Vitamin A or Vitamin E containing oils or creams (eg, Bio-Oil) to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. A balanced diet along with moderate exercise during pregnancy can help you gain weight in a controlled manner. Post-delivery, go for walks and do some abdominal toning exercises to help your belly muscles regain their former shape.
Itching in late pregnancy affects 18% of all pregnant women, and is generally caused by skin dryness and over-sensitivity which is common in this state. During pregnancy, your skin is also more prone to eczema, prickly heat and yeast infections, which also create itching and discomfort. It is only a myth that itching can lead to stretch marks. Enjoy a good scratch, but if itching is accompanied by red raised rashes on your belly, then this may be a sign of cholestasis (a condition where the bile outflow from the gall bladder is obstructed by the growing uterus). There can be symptoms like nausea, poor appetite, tiredness and jaundice. If your urine is dark and the whites of your eyes appear yellow, then report to your doctor immediately. He/she will run some blood tests, prescribe an aloe, calamine or camphor based moisturizer, along with mild steroid creams and oral medications. The jaundice and itching will disappear 48 hours after delivery, and rashes also subside within 6 weeks. Itching associated with the appearance of hives and fluid filled blisters is a medical emergency and must be treated urgently. Pregnancy related itching can recur in subsequent pregnancies but it is usually worse in first time moms.
Permanent hair dyes and hair removal (“depilatory”) creams are best avoided in the first three months of pregnancy. It is perfectly safe to use make up and nail polish during pregnancy. However you may have to choose your make-up wisely if you have pimple-prone skin. If you are suffering from chloasma, avoid soy containing creams or perfumed cosmetics which contain phytoestrogens and oil of bergamot as these may worsen your pigmentation.
You may have noticed that body hair is growing faster during pregnancy. While it is perfectly safe to shave, do not shave in the shower, especially during the last 3 months as you may lose balance and hurt yourself. Avoid laser hair removal as the safety of laser radiation during pregnancy has never been investigated.
If you have been using hair growth serums before your pregnancy, you may want to consider going off the medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Most hair growth serums contain minoxidil (Rogaine), Amnexidil, caffeine or phytoestrogens, which are all medications that are unsafe in pregnancy. Although Allopathy regards hair oils as purely placebo, many women have benefited from the placebo effect of hair oils containing castor oil, biotine, Brahmi and gooseberry extract.
Maintain good genital hygiene using lactic-acid containing feminine washes to keep yeast infections at bay. However, do not douche.
Your nails will grow faster during pregnancy but they may also be more brittle and weak, so make sure you are getting enough protein and calcium in your diet. Use a nail hardening base coat before applying nail paint.
Maintain good dental hygiene during pregnancy by brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue twice a day. You will be more prone to bleeding gums and dental caries during pregnancy, and it is now proven that teeth and gum infections may lead to preterm deliveries. Make sure to get enough Vitamin C in your diet.
It is safe to get manicures and pedicures done during pregnancy, but avoid getting a foot massage done as the pressure on certain nerve points around the ankle can trigger uterine contractions.
Warm baths and tub soaks can be very relaxing and can ease the aches and pains of pregnancy and improve blood circulation around your feet. But avoid hot baths if you are suffering from itchy skin. And do not fall asleep with your hot water bag as these can lead to serious skin burns.
Insect repellent creams and anti-lice shampoos are best avoided in pregnancy as they contain pesticides. Use mosquito nets and lice combs; or look for herbal alternatives.
On a parting note, when in doubt, get a second opinion from your dermatologist and gynecologist. It is always better to err on the side of caution when you carry the responsibility of an unborn innocent child’s life nurturing within you.
