Happy Mother's Day!
Motherhood
5 Pregnancy Tips for Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers and Mothers-to-be. We are celebrating you with some helpful skincare tips, and explaining some common skin changes that happen during pregnancy.
1. Acne
One common issue many women face during pregnancy is acne. An increase in blood flow and oil production contributes to glowing skin while you are pregnant, however, this can result in clogged pores and breakouts.
Some treatments are not safe to use during pregnancy. Isotretinoin, Tazarotene, Benzoyl peroxide, and Spironolactone are examples of medications to avoid while pregnant.
Fortunately, there are some safe treatments that expectant mothers can use. Topical clindamycin and erythromycin have been classified as a Pregnancy Category B treatment and have been two of the most common first-line agents to treat patients with acne.
Azelaic acid is another treatment available for use during pregnancy. Azelaic acid has antimicrobial effects and is beneficial in treating acne and other skin conditions such as rosacea. Anya & Aidin weekly brightening pads have Azelaic acid as the main ingredient to help clarify skin during pregnancy.
2. Melasma
The skin condition known as melasma is when a person develops brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots on the skin. These spots often appear on the cheeks, upper lips, chin, nose, and forehead. There are three types of melasma: epidermal, dermal, and mixed melasma.
Also known as the "mask of pregnancy," since it frequently affects pregnant women, melasma is the result of high levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
If you develop melasma, avoid scented soaps and any skincare products that irritate your skin. If you are pregnant, do not use retinoids like tretinoin. Azelaic acid can be used to treat melasma and is safe during pregnancy and while nursing.
Sunscreen also helps reduce signs of melasma. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium oxide are safe to use while pregnant.
3. Stretch Marks
Stretch marks can be seen in many conditions, but they occur in about 50% to 90% of pregnant women. Predictors of stretch marks are young age, family history, increased pre-pregnancy and pre-delivery weight, and high birth weight infants.
Common moisturizers touted to reduce stretch marks include cocoa butter, olive oil, and bitter almond oil. The data shows that these products are not effective treatments. There is weak evidence present for the use of hyaluronic acid.
Post-pregnancy stretch marks can be reduced with topical retinoids and laser treatments. Massage also helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
4. Eczema
Some women develop eczema during pregnancy. Symptoms include itching, redness, rough or scaly patches of skin, and inflammation.
Many medications are available to treat eczema. One safe option is a mild to moderate topical steroid cream. Topical steroids will help with itching and dryness. Soaking in a bathtub of plain water and applying a thick emollient immediately after, is also helpful.
5. Post-Pregnancy Dry Skin
You may experience multiple skin changes following pregnancy. Some women can still be prone to acne and melasma. Another postpartum skin condition is dry skin. Hormonal changes can decrease the amount of lipids in the skin during and after pregnancy. Some women experience dry, itchy skin on the abdomen, arms, and breasts.
Sections of the cheeks, mouth, and nose may appear red and leathery and some natural remedies include olive oil and coconut oil.
Yogurt contains protein and lactic acid, and it can hydrate your skin. Instead of eating it, massage the yogurt into your skin and rinse it off after a couple of minutes. Another tip to avoid dry skin is to take short, quick showers. Try and use cooler water and use a moisturizer right after showering.
Are you interested in more pregnancy tips? Contact us to schedule a consultation today.