During pregnancy, women must take care of their skin from the first months to avoid cellulite, spots or stretch marks due to skin stretching and hormonal changes.
How to take care of the skin during pregnancy
The abdomen is the area of the woman’s body suffers more strains and stretches during the months of pregnancy, so the skin needs an extra supply of nutritional agents, moisturizers and lubricants that return a hydration of the skin, elasticity and softness desired by moms.
Recommendations during pregnancy.
Hygiene and Hydration: Whatever the type of skin of the woman, it will become more fragile during pregnancy with an appearance of eczema, allergies and spots. The areas in which the pregnant woman must pay special attention are: the abdomen, breasts and thighs.
Advice :
- Daily bathing: avoid immersion or delayed baths and with very hot water;
- Use daily hygiene products suitable for dry to very dry skin, rich in softening substances and high tolerance surfactants;
- For skin elasticity, it is recommended to use products rich in lipidic components and substances capable of retaining water in the epidermis, such as glycerin;
- Apply the moisturizing cream with rotating movements: For the thighs, in an upward direction, from the knee to the hip, all along the leg. For the abdomen, from the bottom to the top in a clockwise direction. And for the breasts; from the outside in.
Hyperpigmentation and acne during pregnancy
Hyperpigmentation occurs in about 90% of pregnancies, with an intensification of pigmentation in the skin in certain areas, such as the breasts, genitals, underarms and navel, or existing signs and scars.
Spots (melasma, chloasma or tissue) occur due to the deposition of melanin in the epidermis and / or dermis, by the increase of estrogen, progesterone and myelotrophic hormone.
Recommendations:
- Apply sunscreen (SPF≥30 and UVA protection) to the face during the day;
- Avoid direct sun exposure;
- Apply an anti-spot treatment at night if indicated.
Not all anti-spot products can be used during pregnancy and should always be indicated by your physician or pharmacist.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is normal for the skin to undergo hormonal changes that promote the appearance of more oil and increase sebum production. You should wash your skin with a mild, neutral product twice a day and apply a small, non-greasy moisturizer to your face.