Skin care -so the glow can show

So the glow can show

Women go extra miles to enhance their beauty. it is no different when they are expectant. With an increased I need for cosmetics in the market, there is more reason to be careful when applying anything to your skin. The products may have chemicals that are harmful to your growing foetus.

Skin changes expected

During pregnancy, the body gets an increased need to provide body fluids to sustain the growing baby. The blood volume also increases and many blood vessels are on the surface. Thus some expectant women get a ‘glow’ on their faces. The legs also display a spider-like pattern due to the same veins being visible.

Some women get acne due to an oily skin especially if they had acne before pregnancy. The acne disappears shortly after delivery.

The skin also stretches over the abdomen to accommodate the baby as he develops. This causes stretch marks. Constant application of creams and lotions helps reduce the irritation and their sharp outline.

Some expectant mothers notice a dark line. commonly known as linea nigra, from the navel to the centre of their pubic bone. It is not that it develops; it exists. Only that it was faint before pregnancy. It becomes more pronounced and visible in the second trimester of pregnancy. Birthmarks also tend to become darker and itching especially on the tummy is also frequent.

All these changes diminish or disappear completely after delivery. Whichever way the skin changes, the key is to make sure the skin is well nurtured, with your doctor’s affirmation of the products you are to use to guarantee no harm to the forthcoming baby.

Caring for your skin
If the skin is dry and itchy, wash your face twice daily with a cleanser for dry skin. To mini mise the intensity of the dryness, limit the exposure to sunlight. Use a rich moisturizer and a sunscreen lotion. Moisturize from head to toe with a rich cream to trap water in your skin.

Taking hot or very cold showers dries your skin. So make all bathing times short and use lukewarm showers and a moisturizing soap. For very dry skin, apply oil after every shower, then top with a moisturizing cream or butter.

Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser on your face twice daily. Avoid moisturizing soaps, since they contain emollients that can clog pores in the meantime. Stay out of the sun, and apply an oil-free sun-block every day.

For oily skin, it is most important that you consult your doctor because the treatment to this skin condition sometimes contains an ingredient that may harm foetal development increasing the probability of birth defects.

Do use moisturizers. makeup. sunscreen lotion and cleansers that have been recommended by a dermatologist to keep your pores clean and clear  to help contain acne. Use exfoliates to keep skin clean and physically remove pore-clogging dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Gentle scrubs with very fine particles are most appropriate, and you can make your own scrub by adding a small amount of baking soda to a cleanser.

Get a cleansing facial at least every two weeks or so for gentle, thorough cleansing. If you are having the facial at a salon. inform them of your pregnancy so that they can avoid vitamin A preparations and chemical exfoliates. Let your skin glow!

END: PG20/48