Pregnancy – what a wonderful and unpredictable time! During pregnancy, most women expect that pregnant glow. But as many new moms can tell you, there are some things people just don’t talk about during pregnancy, like stretch marks, hormonal acne, and even facial hair. Yikes!
These changes are all thanks to pregnancy hormones that can affect the quality of your skin.
But don’t worry. These little pregnancy quirks are usually short-lived, and you’ll be back to normal as soon as the baby’s born. In the meantime, here are some ways you can control these pregnancy hormone outbreaks while still being able to enjoy your pregnant glow:
- Stretch Marks: As your skin starts to stretch and grow, it may feel itchy and red or show signs of stretch marks. For the best results, avoid hot showers, which will only dry out and irritate your skin. Make sure to moisturize regularly with a product that contains hyaluronic acid, a molecule that can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water. This ingredient will keep your skin soft and supple to greatly reduce your risk of stretch marks.
- Hormonal Acne: The best way to treat unpredictable pregnancy acne is to stick to your regular skin-care regimen. Wash your skin with a cleanser appropriate to your skin type and moisturize afterward. To prevent clogged pores that could lead to acne, exfoliate two to three times per week. While pregnant, use a more gentle fruit enzyme exfoliant with papaya or pineapple to safely care for your skin.
- Brown Spots: Brown spots on the skin caused by hormones can be made even worse by sun exposure. Make sure to use a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays each time you leave the house. For moms-to-be, I recommend a mineral sunscreen that is free from toxic ingredients and uses natural zinc to protect the skin from the sun. Steering clear of chemical ingredients is important since topical products can easily absorb into the skin to penetrate the bloodstream.
- Facial Hair: If you’ve noticed upper lip fuzz appear out of nowhere in your pregnancy, you’re not alone. You can once again thank hormones for this increase in body hair — in the most unpleasant places. Luckily, this facial hair growth is normal and temporary for pregnant women. You can remove facial hair safely by waxing and tweezing, although it’s best not to use depilatories or bleaches during pregnancy since they can be absorbed into the skin.
Sincerely,
Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C
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