Skincare During Pregnancy - Tips to follow

Pregnancy is the most cherished phase in a woman's life. From the beginning of pregnancy through the 9 months, women experience many changes. She goes through physical and emotional changes. It also includes hormonal shifts caused due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone (female hormones). The changes reflect in the skin in the form of pigmentation, itching, acne, and much more. Thus, it is essential to maintain proper skincare during pregnancy

This article details the various skin-related changes a pregnant woman experiences and essential skin care for pregnancy.

Pregnancy-related skin changes

Most of the changes experienced during the 9 months of pregnancy improve post-delivery. Some of the common changes on the skin include:

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a common skin-related issue faced during pregnancy. As the baby grows, the skin begins to expand. The stretching and distension split the skin leading to stretch marks. These lines are also known as striae gravidarum, which appear as purple-coloured wavy lines.

Furthermore, these are not limited to the tummy and may appear in other regions like thighs, breasts, and groin. However, these lines grow paler after the delivery, the striae or stretch marks. However, they will remain permanent scars without proper skin care in pregnancy.

Darkening of skin

Most pregnant women will notice a change in skin colour around the genitalia, nipples, and the centre of the tummy. Additionally, they may also experience the darkening of pre-existing moles and freckles.

Pregnant ladies also experience dark blemishes on their skin, nose, cheeks, and chin, called pregnancy masks or melasma. They are caused due to increased deposits of melanin in the middle and superficial regions of the skin. Similar to other skin changes, the darkening also disappears after delivery.

Dark linin across the tummy

Another common skin issue is linea alba, a faint white line that runs from the navel to the centre of the pubic bone. The line darkens during the second trimester, which is called linea nigra. Sometimes the line also extends upwards from the navel, which disappears post-delivery.

Localised pigmentation

Localised pigmentation is a common pregnancy-related issue faced by women. It causes pigmentation in groins and armpits called acanthosis nigricans, which causes the skin to thicken and darken.

Skin Rashes

Impaired circulation of bile to the body causes itching. The condition may worsen due to underlying skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, lupus erythematosus or candida infection surrounding the vagina. Following proper skin care during pregnancy can help prevent the issue.

Acne

The activity of oil and sweat glands turns more active during the third trimester, leading to the development of acne or pimples.

Top Skincare Ingredients to Avoid during Pregnancy

Avoiding a few beauty, skincare, and cosmetic products during pregnancy is recommended. Many of these skincare ingredients pose health risks for the mother and baby. These include:

• Vitamin A derivatives like Retin-A, Retinyl Palmitate, and Retinol

• Benzoyl Peroxide

• Salicylic Acids

• Dihydroxyacetone

• Tetracycline

• Hydroquinone

• Aluminum Chloride

• Formaldehyde

• It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before using certain essential oils or about the dosage of certain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Safe Skin Care Ingredients

Several ingredients are recommended for pregnancy skin care. These help in reducing side effects such as acne and melasma during pregnancy. These are:

• Vitamin C

• Mineral Sunscreens

• Azelaic Acid

• Benzoyl Peroxide

Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products

Here's a list of pregnancy safe skin care products:

• Fragrance-free moisturizers and face cleansers

• Moisturiser consisting of hyaluronic acid that is known for its pregnancy-safe anti-aging properties

• Vitamin C serums

• Low doses of salicylic acid in the form of face washes

Tips on Skin Care during Pregnancy

These skin care pregnancy tips will help prevent and manage skin issues experienced during the 9 months journey.

• Sunscreen is a must for skincare during pregnancy. Use sunscreen with a broad spectrum, like an SPF of 30 or above, to prevent further darkening of the pigment.

• A pregnant lady's skin is more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, avoid spending too much time in the sun to prevent increased tanning.

• Scrub your skin daily. Moisturise frequently to avoid itchiness, stretch marks, and dry skin around nipples, elbows, and knees.

• Use mild soaps and shampoo to clean the body and hair.

• Do not skip calcium and vitamins, as low calcium can worsen some types of psoriasis.

• Reduce intake of food with high amounts of yeast, such as cakes, pau, or noodles.

• Get adequate sleep and indulge in mild exercise to gain glowing skin.

• Using moisturisers is the most recommended skin care technique to reduce itchy skin.

• Use pregnancy safe skin care antibiotic lotions such as clindamycin and erythromycin for bad acne.

• Avoid body art like tattoos, piercing, or makeup that may lead to infections and allergic reactions.

• Consult your obstetrician or gynaecologist before signing up for skin treatments or if the eczema issue increases.

• It is recommended to consume medications recommended by doctors that are safe for the baby during pregnancy.

The skin tends to get extremely sensitive during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to follow proper skincare in pregnancy to prevent infections or hyperpigmentation of the skin. Consulting the gynaecologist in case of increased pigmentation or infection is essential to avoid the condition from worsening.