Your Skin During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Skin Care Tips

While these changes may sound scary, they’re normal. There is no cause for concern.  Just keep the following skin care tips in mind during your pregnancy.

Be mindful of your diet. You can help keep your skin looking good by following an appropriate  diet during your pregnancy. A diet with a good balance of nutrients from both food and prenatal vitamins is one of the best things you can do to protect your skin.

Stay well hydrated. It’s important to drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated fluids to keep your skin hydrated and healthy looking.

Take extra measures to keep your skin clean. If you’re having trouble with pimples, you might need to wash your face two or three times a day with a  gentle cleanser. Try our Advanced Ultra Gentle Cleanser! It’s also a good idea to gently exfoliate with our Advanced Brightening Scrub and then apply an oil-free moisturizer. As you adjust your cleansing routine, it’s important to keep in mind that stripped skin is more prone to breakouts. If your skin feels tight after washing it, you may be removing too much of the natural oils.

Learn about the products you are using and buying. You’ll want to look for the words “non-comedogenic” and “unscented” when buying makeup and skin care products. Further, oil-free products will be less likely to clog pores, which is important if your skin is on the oilier side. However, if your skin is dry, it’s a good idea to focus on moisturizing products. Dr. Soleiman’s Skin Care has all the products that you need to protect your skin, and an easy way to ensure you’re using the right products during your pregnancy is to consult with our knowledgeable staff. A mommy facial is always a good way to try products and to get recommendations.

Avoid Retin-A. While you’re pregnant, it’s important to NOT treat acne or rashes with Retin-A. While this is a product that many people love, it’s off limits during pregnancy. You should discontinue use until our office clears you to use it.

Don’t take too many baths. While baths can be relaxing, especially when you’re pregnant, too many baths can strip your skin of its moisture. Stick to short showers with lukewarm water (the warmer the water, the more likely to increase allergies and rashes) and a mild cleanser. If your skin is extremely dry, you’ll want to use a moisturizer like our hyaluronic boost body lotion. You may want to use a warm-mist humidifier in your bedroom as well.

Be ready to handle a variety of skin issues.  Every woman has a unique pregnancy and how your skin reacts is anyone’s guess.  Knowing that, here are some more specific tips for issues that you might experience:

• For eczema, Cetaphil cream is helpful. Make sure you use the cream, not the lotion. If you need something stronger, talk to your practitioner to get a recommendation.
• With redness on the palms of your hands, you likely will need to wait it out. This condition disappears after you give birth, but it’s still a good idea to check in with your doctor to make sure everything looks normal.
• Skin tags that appear during pregnancy usually disappear after delivery. Even if they don’t, we can remove them in a flash.
• If you’re suffering from heat rash, the best thing you can do is to stay cool. Before going out in the heat, take a shower and then sprinkle some cornstarch on your skin. Avoid tight or warm clothing. Wearing layers can help, so you can peel down if you start to get hot.
• If you experience PUPPP, you’ll want to show any marks or rashes to your practitioner. Also, avoid scratching this as much as possible to prevent stretch marks. Ice can help to alleviate the itching. PUPPP usually goes away after delivery; if it doesn’t, we can prescribe medical-grade topical creams. Plus, we can prescribe hydroquinone for pigmentation.
• If you need a procedure to refresh your skin, boost collagen, shrink pores, and even help with scar treatment, microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy are safe during pregnancy. Call to make your appointment with our experienced nurse master injectors.
• Coco butter, three times a day, is great for preventing stretch marks, especially on the breast and abdominal areas.

While you might experience some changes in your skin during pregnancy, remember that this is normal and that there are a lot of things you can do to help keep your skin looking great and healthy. Be sure to stock up on skin creams, concealers, gentle skin cleansers, and prenatal vitamins. And remember, skin changes will subside either during pregnancy or after delivery. Until then, enjoy being pregnant and celebrate life!