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| Photo courtesy of flickr user Schwangerschaft |
Doctors will always tell you what to eat and how to exercise
during pregnancy, but they don’t always provide you with information about the
outside of your body. We all know what’s on the inside matters, but it’s always
nice to look just as good on the outside. Unfortunately, when you become
pregnant, there are a few changes you may have to make to keep your baby safe.
Getting a Glow
Many women have fond summer memories of laying out with
their girlfriends at the pool or beach. It’s natural to be proud of your baby
bump and for you to have a desire to show it off. But is it safe?
The reality is that laying out or getting a tan is never safe. It always puts you at risk
for skin cancer. But when you are pregnant, your body is more likely to being
burned, which could lead to hives, heat rash or melasma, which causes dark
spots to appear on your face. And that’s an on top of the skin cancer risk.
Does this mean you should never go outside during your
pregnancy? No! Enjoying the sunshine is still possible, but it is important
that you take care of yourself and your baby first. Since pregnancy makes it
easier for your body to dehydrate, it is imperative to bring more than enough water
with you. It is also a good idea to set up an umbrella, sit in a cool, shaded
area and wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. But if you still want a
light tan to amplify your pregnancy glow, a sunless tanning lotion is a safe alternative.
Spray tanning is also a safe option because these products
simply stain the skin and do not absorb into the bloodstream. Sunless tanners
use DHA (dihydroxyacetone) as the active ingredient, which is safe for the skin
whether you’re pregnant or not. But, doctors will tell you that you must use
protection for your nose, eyes, ears and mouth when getting a spray tan, and
they suggest that you wait until after your first trimester.
Zap the Zits
When you are pregnant, your body is making extra hormones
that can take you back in time to your acne-prone teenage years. The primary
breakout areas are surrounding the mouth and the chin.
You may hear about oral medication that can aid in
preventing or treating the breakouts, but this medicine can be dangerous for
the baby. Instead of oral medication, use face soaps that are meant for a
person with oily skin. Products that include either erythromycin or azelaic
acid can prove to be very effective against the pesky acne and safe for your
baby. You can also try Visha Skin Care’s Mommy Brightener, a new product
developed by our own Dr. Purvisha Patel that is safe for treating acne and
melasma during pregnancy.
Pamper Yourself
Carefully
When you are pregnant, there are sure to be some days when
you would love to relax and use common aromatherapy oils. But make sure you
know what you’re using. Some of
these oils can be harmful to you and your baby during this time. Here are the
main oils that you will want to stay away from:
- Nutmeg - can cause hallucinations
- Rosemary - can cause your blood pressure
to rise
- Basil - may contribute to abnormal cell
growth
- Jasmine and clary sage - known to trigger
early contractions
- Sage and rose - can cause bleeding in the
uterus
- Juniper berry - may affect the kidneys
While it’s important to avoid the above ingredients, there
is a wide selection of safe oils available to pregnant women, including
lavender, citrus, spearmint and eucalyptus. It is good to remember not to mix
oils and to use small dosages for short periods of time so you will not
experience negative side effects.
You may also notice that the above are often found in foods,
too. It is OK for you to eat foods that contain ingredients from the list of discouraged oils because the amount of these herbs in food is
generally much lower and much less potent.
What’s in the Milk?
While you are pregnant and when you are breastfeeding, you are
sharing nutrients with your baby. Your body is also not as capable of fighting
off infection, and your baby’s immune system is not completely developed, which
means it’s important to avoid food-borne illnesses. Easy ways to prevent them
are to cook all foods thoroughly and refrigerate them properly, as well as to
make sure your hands and cookware are clean before making and serving food.
Seafood is a tricky food to eat during this time because
there are many that are good food options as well as many potentially dangerous
foods. Seafood provides a good source of omega-3 fats, and they are good for
the development of an unborn baby or infant. When choosing seafood, make sure
that you do not get one with a high level of mercury. Large fish like king
mackerel, shark, swordfish and tilefish are very high in mercury and can cause
damage to your child’s developing nervous system. Aside from seafood, it’s
important to just have a healthy diet and include all the food groups when
applicable. Check with your obstetrician for more information on a recommended
diet during pregnancy.
Have any more questions about
your skin during pregnancy? Be sure to leave a comment and we will try to help
you find the answers you need.
Dr. C. Brad Bledsoe was born and raised
outside of Dickson, Tennessee. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the
University of Tennessee at Martin where he majored in chemistry. After his
undergraduate studies, Dr. Bledsoe received his medical degree from the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Following medical
school, he completed an intern year in internal medicine and finished his
residency training at the Kaplan-Amonette Department of Dermatology at the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He is a member of the American
Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the Tennessee
Dermatology Association, and Memphis Dermatology Association.
Dr. M. Craig Gordon was raised in a small
community of Sharon in northwest Tennessee.
After graduating valedictorian of his high school class, he completed
undergraduate studies majoring in microbiology at the University of Tennessee
in Knoxville, followed by medical school at the University of Tennessee Health
Science Center in Memphis. He completed a year of internal medicine at the
University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville before moving to
Jacksonville, FL to complete dermatology residency at the Mayo Clinic. During
residency he was able to work and train with dermatologists at all the Mayo
campuses including Rochester, MN and Scottsdale, AZ. He served as a resident
board member of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery
from 2014-2015 and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American
Society of Dermatologic Surgery.
