Our bodies naturally change as we age, but women’s skin changes incredibly quickly during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and while your body is going through massive internal changes, your skin is changing on the outside as well.
Increased hormones and blood flow give pregnant women a kind of glow, while others have acne, stretch marks, eczema, spider veins, itchy skin, and melasma.
When it comes to your skincare regimen during pregnancy, even a safe routine can become more sensitive or irritating to your skin due to a new and unexpected reaction.
That’s why you need to pay special attention to the dangerous chemicals that abound in beauty products, so as not to harm yourself or the fetus.
With every pregnancy there is a 3-5% chance of an abnormal baby being born, so in addition to focusing on your pregnancy regimen, there are certain guidelines to follow when it comes to beauty and beauty products. skin.
Ingredients to avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding
According to the “Fairy Well Family” website (very good family) The frustrating part of skincare during pregnancy is that there are no studies that examine most ingredients during pregnancy, and you have to rely solely on animal studies as our best guess. Here are some of the ingredients that should be avoided due to their great danger to the fetus:
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Derivatives of “Vitamin A”
Many dermatologists recommend skipping all vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, retin-A, and retinyl palmitate during pregnancy, as some studies link the use of these ingredients to birth defects in babies. children.
Hydroquinone is commonly found in bleaching creams and products intended to help fade hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and melasma. However, hydroquinone should not be used during pregnancy as it can be absorbed into the skin faster than other ingredients, meaning it can reach the baby in greater amounts.
Parabens are commonly used in skin care products and shampoos to preserve products and extend their shelf life. Parabens can be of concern because these substances are endocrine disruptors and are easily absorbed through the skin. There are studies indicating that it has negative effects during pregnancy.
Oxybenzone
According to the “Today” website (today) The United States Food and Drug Administration conducted a study in 2019 which found that “oxybenzone” – which is commonly used in sunscreens – was one of the ingredients that the body absorbs after just one use, and it can be on the skin and in the blood even after weeks of use. Studies have also shown that oxybenzone can contaminate the placenta and breast milk in marine mammals and humans.
perfumes
The “fragrance” mentioned on some labels of products used by women for skin care may mean an undisclosed mixture of chemicals and ingredients used by perfume as derivatives of perfume.
These mixtures have been linked to allergies, dermatitis, respiratory problems and effects on the reproductive system.
gays
Homosalate is found in chemical sunscreens and if used during pregnancy can disrupt the body’s regulation of hormone levels. Therefore, they should be avoided during pregnancy so that you can produce the hormones you need for a healthy pregnancy. Another reason to avoid homosalate is that it can increase the skin’s ability to absorb different chemicals.
Chemical sunscreens
ColourScience recommends:coloroscienceUse mineral sunscreens instead of chemicals containing “oxybenzone” and the like. It is prudent to use sunscreen containing mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as these are the only generally recognized active ingredients in sunscreens.
filling
Fillers are commonly used today to reduce wrinkles, and because studies on the effect of fillers on pregnant women are unclear, it is best to avoid using them during pregnancy. It is not recommended to carry out treatments including peeling, laser or injections of any kind for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
botox
According to Healthline (health lineBotox injections are one of the most popular options for reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the face. In general, research shows that Botox injections are safe for most people, but this needs to be reconsidered when pregnant.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, it is not yet known whether Botox will harm the fetus or pass into breast milk. Therefore, it is best to postpone Botox injections until more safety information becomes available. Another potential risk that needs to be considered is that the toxin spreads beyond the local area where the Botox is injected, which can cause botulism, a potentially serious illness.
Botox can be replaced by drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated, and it is advisable to moisturize your face several times a day and sleep well at night.
Laser hair removal
The Vitality Laser Skin Center refuses.vitalitylaserkin) Perform laser operations for pregnant women, and recommends waiting until after childbirth to start or resume laser sessions for two main reasons:
- The effects on the fetus are not known, so it’s a risk you don’t need.
- The results of laser hair removal will not be certain during pregnancy, as it is common for hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy to reduce the effectiveness of laser hair removal.
acne treatment
Acne is more common during pregnancy due to hormones, increased blood flow and oil production. In general, most over-the-counter acne products are acceptable.
Vitamin C serum is also a way to brighten the skin and help with the problem, but first you have to make sure that it is a pure, high-quality vitamin and that there are no other ingredients that could be harmful during pregnancy. To treat acne, you should also keep your bed clean and clean pillowcases and sheets frequently and avoid touching your face.
Anti-aging and wrinkles
According to the “Healthline” website (health line), topical antioxidants such as vitamin C work safely to improve your skin’s vitality, protect it from damage and preserve collagen. Other pregnancy-safe antioxidants you can try in your skincare products include vitamins E, K, and B3 and green tea.
Dry skin and stretch marks
To treat dry skin, drink plenty of water and use moisturizers containing coconut oil, cocoa butter, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. And when it comes to stretch marks, one strategy to prevent them is to moisturize frequently to help the skin stretch naturally as your belly continues to grow.
melasma
Melasma is very common during pregnancy. It often appears as gray or brown patches on the face. It appears as a result of increased production of melanin due to hormones.
It is best treated by wearing a sun protection hat and limiting sun exposure, then fading after pregnancy. And if it persists after childbirth, it can be treated with laser beams, but it is better to wait for the hormones to return to their normal level before that.
spider veins/varicose veins
Spider veins or varicose veins appear as a result of hormonal change and increased blood flow during pregnancy. To improve this you need to move frequently, exercise regularly and wear compression stockings.
Chemical hair straightening
Reported by the site “Fairy Well Family” (very good familyIt is wise to avoid chemical hair straightening during pregnancy. Because there are many concerns about the chemicals used in hair straighteners, including formaldehyde, the ingredient used in human embalming fluid, which is absorbed through the scalp and potentially into the fetus.
Hair straightening chemicals also include cyclosiloxanes, parabens, sodium hydroxide, diethanolamine, phthalates, benzophenone-3, and triclosan. These chemicals pose potential risks to human health and the environment, and can disrupt the endocrine or respiratory system and harm fetal development.
The vapors of these chemicals can be inhaled during the straightening process, which can be very harmful to the fetus.
Hair coloring and dyeing
Hair coloring is considered safe, especially during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. But you have to choose a natural or vegetable dye, without ammonia.
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