Many women experience a change in their skin when they are pregnant. Some tend to develop dry, itchy skin while others can suddenly have oily skin and suffer from acne. Pigmentation problems, varicose veins and brittle hair and nails can also plague women at this time, however here are ten tips that will help with these and other pregnancy skin problems.
1. Apply oils daily to prevent dry skin and stretch marks.
You can buy these oils separately and mix them yourself for a economical advantage or simply find natural products for stretch mark prevention that contains them. Look for products containing sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil, olive oil, cypress oil, castor oil, rosehip oil and avocado oil. Coconut oil and jojoba oil are also fantastic for preventing stretch marks. Apply the mixture to your breasts, tummy buttocks and thighs as all these areas are prone to stretch marks in pregnancy.
2. There are some essential oils to avoid.
The use of essential oils while in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy should be avoided because some can cause the fetus to abort. They can be used sparingly in the last trimester and during labour, but please consult an aromatherapist before trying them.
The following list is an example of the oils that should be avoided during pregnancy:
Basil
Cedarwood
Cinnamon
Hyssop
Jasmine
Juniper
Lemongrass
Myrrh
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sweet marjoram
Thyme
3. Are fish oil supplements safe to take during pregnancy?
Those that are made from the liver of the fish eg; cod liver oil, contain Vitamin A in the form of retinal and should be avoided so your daily intake of retinal does not exceed 3300 mcg.
However, those fish oils not made from the liver contain DHA (omega 3) and are extremely valuable for the development of your babys eyes and brain.
Look for fish oil supplements made from salmon or mackerel or ones especially formulated for pregnant women.
4. Hair and nail help.
Telogen effluvium is when you lose a considerable amount of hair and it usually occurs about one to five months after giving birth. During pregnancy, your hair goes into a resting phase as is completely normal in pregnancy. After pregnancy, these hairs begin to fall out. However, this condition does not cause permanent hair loss or obvious bald patches. Telogen effluvium resolves slowly at about six to 12 weeks postpartum.
Some women find that their nails tend to split and break more easily during pregnancy. Extra attention by regular manicures and topical nail strengtheners may help. This condition, like telogen effluvium is not permanent.
5. Nipple creams for relief.
Using a nipple cream is an effective way of relieving sore cracked nipples in the early stages of breastfeeding. You generally get used to the feeding and will only need relief for a few weeks. Lanolin based creams are easy to apply, generally allow your baby to feed without having to wipe it off (check the instructions), and will soothe and heal the sorest of nipples. Nipple cream is also a great preventative measure if used after each feed.
Letting a small amount of breast milk stay on the nipples to dry after feeds is also said to prevent and soothe cracked nipples.
6. Bathing with bi-carbonate of soda to relieve itchy skin.
Itchy skin is a symptom you might experience when youre pregnant. Usually it will be harmless and merely a temporary discomfort, but if you suspect otherwise you should seek medical advice. Avoiding scented bath products and only using natural soaps may help, as can washing in cool water. Putting half a cup of bicarbonate of soda in the bath water will reduce itchiness and also as a bonus soften your skin!
There is something "luxurious" about soaking in a warm bath and there is nothing to suggest that this is unsafe in pregnancy. Just make sure the water is warm and not hot!
7. Treating thread and varicose veins.
The trick to minimizing or even preventing varicose and thread veins is to avoid putting too much pressure on your legs during pregnancy. Try these simple ideas.
Go for a gentle walk daily.
Elevate your feet and legs whenever possible. Try to lie down on your left side with your feet elevated on a pillow when at home. Since the inferior vena cava is on the right side, left-sided rest relieves it of the weight of the uterus; thus decreasing venous pressure in the lower extremities.
Don't stand on your feet for long periods of time.
Don't cross your legs when sitting down.
Be aware that excessive weight gain can contribute to the problem.
8. Pigmentation problems.
Pigmentation problems in pregnancy are mainly due to the increased levels of oestrogen and other hormones, which can stimulate the melanin-producing cells and cause dark patches to appear. Many pregnant women develop the condition known as melasma, also known as the "mask of pregnancy" this is a darkening of the skin usually along the forehead, cheeks and chin. Some women also develop a dark line between the belly button and pubic area, known as the "linea nigra".
The best advice is to avoid any sun exposure, as any pigmentation (even that resulting from pregnancy) will tend to be made worse by the sun and just a little amount of exposure can do it. The second-best thing you can do is to wear a very high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, and reapply it regularly.
Melasma will usually fade within a year or so after you give birth, so in most cases you can just wait it out while protecting your skin from the sun.
There are skin lightening products on the market and you can refer to a dermatologist for more intense products to fade persistent pigmentation.
9. Natural soaps for less irritation.
Find a natural soap made using extra coconut oils to give it a rich, creamy lather. Soaps that are totally vegetarian and contain no perfumes or dyes are best for the skin as they leave the skin soft and cleansed. LanaB have natural soaps that are pH controlled to the absolute minimum, leaving your skin with a healthy moisture balance. This prevent any dryness and irritation caused by dry skin.
10. Facial rinse to soothe the skin for all skin types.
Cucumber Rinse
Refreshing and gently astringent, this blend can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator.
1/2 cucumber cut into chunks (do not peel or seed)
1 tablespoon witch hazel (available from a health shop)
Liquefy the cucumber chunks in a blender or food processor then strain, reserving the cucumber juice. Combine with witch hazel. Soak cotton pads in the mixture and gently wipe face. You may feel a tingling sensation.
Cheryl Beasley is the founder of LanaB Skin Care, an online natural skin care business that produces fresh and pure products as ordered. She produces a monthly newsletter pertaining to the industry and has over twenty years experience producing skin care products. LanaB's Skin Care range includes natural creams and lotions, organic baby products, delicious scrubs, balms, sulphate free bubble bath, hydrosols and more.
Find them at www.lanab.com.au
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