Pregnancy involves important changes for our body, and the skin and hair are not exempt from them. Hormonal changes, weight gain ... influence hair and skin during pregnancy, so we have to put a special effort to take care of them during this stage.
There are some basic premises that we must adopt: a good hydration of the skin of the whole body, a high facial sunscreen, a balanced diet and a calm pregnancy, without stress, since this could have influence on some skin and capillary disorders.
Skin care of the pregnant woman
The skin experiences many changes during pregnancy. But we cannot generalize, and although for some women the changes translate into a greater luminosity, for others they can become a nightmare. Some problems are specific to this stage and will disappear after the arrival of the baby. Others will last for a lifetime. Therefore, try to prevent them.
We talk about effects such as chloasma, dark spots on the face that arise due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels and that usually disappear after giving birth. A preventive facial treatment such as sunscreen protection (factor +50) can prevent the appearance of these spots, accentuated with the solar contact that activates the production of melanin. The sunscreen should not contain PABA (paraaminobenzoic acid), a substance that should be avoided in photoprotective products for pregnant women and infants.
The increase in progesterone in the body can also cause an increase or appearance of acne. During pregnancy, the sebaceous glands may produce excessive secretions that, combined with dead skin cells, block the hair follicle and produce an infection in the pore that will excrete pus, causing acne to multiply. Wash your face and skin areas that may be most affected, dispense with makeup and in case it is not possible to remove make-up before going to sleep, do not touch the pimples ... are some tips to prevent the appearance of acne.
Another problem that worries and affects pregnant women the most is stretch marks. The skin can stretch up to ten times during pregnancy, so it is important to try to prevent the appearance of stretch marks, although depending on the skin characteristics of each woman this may be impossible in some cases. The key is to keep the skin well hydrated, both externally (creams, oils ...) and from the inside, drinking enough fluids. Being consistent in the routine of massaging the belly every day and doing so since the volume increase begins to be noticed is essential.
Pregnant woman's hair care
If the skin of the pregnant woman undergoes changes of different nature in different women, the same can be said of hair during pregnancy. I was lucky to have longer and brighter hair than ever during my pregnancy, which I attribute to the good nutrition and vitamin supplements I took during those periods.
During pregnancy, progesterone decreases hair loss and becomes more beautiful, although if there is a genetic predisposition for baldness, hair is likely to suffer after delivery. If we observe that the hair falls in excess during pregnancy, we must consult the gynecologist or dermatologist.
Let's look at some key points about hair at this stage. We remember that proper hydration and nutrition will cause the hair not to suffer and be strong and healthy.
Placental hormones cause an increase in sebaceous secretion of the scalp, so the changes will affect the woman according to her hair type: dry, normal or oily. It is in the case of oily hairs that you have to be more careful: the increase in fat can be mitigated by washing your hair more frequently, with very mild shampoos with neutral pH and specific conditioners.
The use of dyes during pregnancy is controversial. There are few studies that study whether dyeing your hair during pregnancy is dangerous. Dyes are chemical products composed of bleaching substances, solvents and dyes that sometimes contain lead. These substances are toxic, but the body absorbs very little. However, to prevent, it is usually recommended that pregnant women use natural dyes that do not contain ammonia and avoid dyeing during the first trimester.
We talk about the hair of the head, but the hair of the rest of the body can also undergo changes. If body hair increases, the most convenient methods of hair removal during pregnancy must be taken into account: razors, electric hair removal devices at home and cold wax.
In short, if you are waiting for a baby keep in mind skin and hair care during pregnancy. Definitely worth pampering (and being pampered) to feel good and have a healthier and happier pregnancy.
Photos | pixydust8605, Ktoine on Flickr-CC In Jared Beauty | Skin spots: Melanocito Laura, Melanocito Cristina and Melanocito Morthy on stage In Babies and more | How stretch marks form on the skin of the pregnant woman, Chloasma: pregnancy spots, Anti-stretch marks during pregnancy
