Caring for the Face When Pregnant, Here's How

Be careful if you want to treat your face during pregnancy. The chemicals contained in facial care products are feared to be harmful to the fetus. The ups and downs of hormones during pregnancy, can cause a variety of skin problems in pregnant women, one of them on the face. This problem can make pregnant women confused in choosing beauty products or how to take care of the face while pregnant. One thing to remember, you need to be more careful in choosing products and types of facial care during pregnancy, so as not to harm your fetus and your womb.

Facial Problems During Pregnancy and Treatment

Caring for the face while pregnant may be easy and difficult. The following are some facial problems that can approach you while pregnant and how to treat them.

• Zits

The emergence of acne during pregnancy is a common thing in pregnant women. The types are varied, ranging from mild to severe acne. Acne during pregnancy occurs because the androgen hormone increases and triggers the oil glands in the skin to produce sebum or more oil, which eventually causes acne. To deal with acne during pregnancy, you can use topical medications with ingredients such as azelaic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, or sulfur. However, before you decide to use drugs, it is advisable to consult a doctor first. In addition to several types of topical medications above, your doctor may give you antibiotics to take to get rid of zits, like erythromycin. Also pay attention to your daily use of cosmetics and maintain facial hygiene. Use ingredients that do not irritate acne prone skin, such as water-based cosmetics, powder, or special foundation for oily faces. Remember to always wash your face at least twice a day using mild soap or facial cleanser.

• Spots on the face or chloasma

Black spots on the face can also appear when you are pregnant. The exact cause of this condition is not yet clearly known, but the increase in the hormone progesterone, estrogen, and MSH or melanocyte-producing hormones (skin cells that produce pigments) causes the skin to darken, causing blotches on the cheeks, forehead, lips, and nose. Sun exposure also plays a role in the appearance of black spots on the face. Chloasma can disappear after giving birth, but to reduce or close the spots, you can use concealer and sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. This sunscreen serves to protect the skin from UV rays that can trigger changes in skin pigment. In addition, you also need to use facial creams as directed by your doctor and wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser.

Treatments to Avoid When Pregnant

Choosing a variety of drugs and treatments that are safe, important for fetal health. The following are some types of facial medicines and facial care techniques should be avoided during pregnancy. Among them:

• Drug

During pregnancy, you are not advised to use acne medications that contain retinoids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and certain types of antibiotics, because they can be harmful to the fetus. Also avoid drugs that contain tetracycline, tretinoin, and isotretinoin. These drugs can affect the development of the fetus in the womb and cause serious birth defects.

• Care

If you want to relax by doing a spa, it is recommended to choose a therapist who is experienced in dealing with pregnant women. In addition, avoid treatments that use heat, such as soaking in warm water, bathing in water that is too hot, or being in a steam room (sauna). If you want to hydrotherapy with warm water, make sure the temperature is no more than 32 degrees Celsius. Treatments during pregnancy that you can try are massage for pregnant women, pedicure, and manicure.

Increased several hormones during pregnancy can cause various problems, especially on facial skin. To overcome this, you need to be careful in choosing the product and type of treatment. Do not use materials or treatments that can harm the fetus, or risk causing birth defects. Therefore, before treating your face it is advisable to consult a doctor first, to find out what medicine or technique is good for you.