Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in which a fetus (unborn baby) develops inside your womb or uterus. And the joy you experience after holding a newborn baby is just amazing. A womb is a pear-shaped, hollow organ present just below your abdomen.
During those 9 months of pregnancy, your body undergoes a lot of transformations due to which you end up gaining weight, start losing hair, and also your breast size increases.
All of these changes are brought about by the hormonal fluctuations of the body during pregnancy. Hormones are chemical molecules that act as messengers and help in the regulation of the body’s various processes.
Apart from these changes, your skin may also be affected; you may have an uneven skin tone, dark circles due to sleepless nights, acne (pimples), skin tags (small raised growths on the skin) particularly under the arms, dry or oily skin and many more that can have a great impact on your life.
These skin changes can easily be managed with some of the following skincare routines. Here are 6 tips you should follow on a regular basis to bring back that glowing skin of yours.
1. Cleanse and Exfoliate
Make sure you cleanse your skin every day, ideally twice a day with a mild cleanser so that the excess oil and dirt go away. It is recommended that you use a soothing and mild cleanser because during pregnancy your skin is fairly sensitive. You can use a mild cleanser that does not sting your skin but also removes the excess oil and dirt.
If a harsh cleanser/exfoliator is used, then apart from the oil and dirt, your dead skin may also peel off and block the pores, leading to acne. Hence, don't forget to scrub your skin at least once or twice a week and exfoliate the dead skin.
2. Hydrate
Pregnancy uses a lot of extra blood and water to sustain the growing baby, and hence, moisture is virtually sucked out of your skin. Due to low moisture, most skin problems and acne arise.
Therefore, ensure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water every day and stay hydrated. This will not only help you moisturize the skin on the inside but will also help you retain the elasticity of your skin.
3. Eat Healthy
Most of the skin problems are because of the unhealthy food habits you have. Eat dark and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, beetroot, etc., or some other veggies or fruits (such as oranges, papaya, watermelon) that are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, as they are a wonder for healthy skin.
Antioxidants are chemicals that help in “cleaning up” cell-damaging molecules in your body (free radicals).
4. Apply Sunscreen Daily
Cover up with an umbrella or a hat when going outdoors. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of 50 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) with physical protection such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect your skin from hyperpigmentation (brown spots).
SPF is a number (a measure of) that tells you how much the sun’s ultraviolet radiation would take to redden your skin when you use sunscreen versus the amount of time without the sunscreen. The higher the number (value) of SPF, the more you can get protected from the sun.
UV rays can cause sunburns (a condition that causes redness and scaly skin) and skin cancers. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide block the skin from the effect of ultraviolet rays (UV), thereby, preventing its absorption into the skin.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Proper sleep is essential for healthy skin. When you sleep, your body repairs and renews itself. That process goes on at the cellular level in your skin.
Chronic sleep deprivation (insufficient sleep) is bad for your health and can increase your risk of many diseases (diabetes, heart diseases, asthma).
It's very difficult to have a good sleep when you become a mother but adjusting to your baby’s sleep timings and catching up on your sleep now and then, can be beneficial.
6. Ask for Professional Help
If you are having problems with your skin post your pregnancy and even after trying all the remedies, your questions are not answered, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your family physician or dermatologist. They can help you understand what you are going through and can give you the best treatment suited for your condition.
There might be a lot of things on your mind and skin care would probably be the last thing that comes to your mind. Do not get overwhelmed.
Consult your dermatologist to know the changes occurring in your skin post-pregnancy and the treatment to get healthy glowing skin.
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.