If you are expecting a baby, you have to be conscious about what you are putting in and on your body. Pregnancy, a phase in a woman’s life is painstakingly challenging as some expectant mothers experience breakouts, dark spots or stretch marks.
Before treating skin-related pregnancy side effects, here are some beauty ingredients and treatments you should refrain from doing while you are pregnant.
Stop using any form of retinoids.
- Retinoids are treatment for wrinkles, acne and even stretch marks. However, do not use retinoids either in oral or topical form when you are pregnant, as it has been guaranteed to cause birth defects.
Minimize salicylic acid use.
- Salicylic acid is an exfoliating agent that helps treat acne. When you are expecting a baby, limit the use of salicylic acid. If you are taking this common ingredient orally, refrain from it especially during pregnancy due to complications and birth defects it can cause you.
- If during pregnancy, you suffered from severe breakout, skin experts advise using 1 to 2 percent of salicylic acid as spot treatment or opt for glycolic acid, which is completely harmless to use during pregnancy. Glycolic acid is considered the gold standard in chemical exfoliation.
Be careful during a mani-pedi sessions.
When you are having your mani and pedi sessions, do not let your manicurist cut your cuticles or remove calluses. This increases risks of cuts and infection, which is harmful during pregnancy.
Opt for highlights instead of single hair color process.
- Getting hair color during pregnancy is very crucial, as there are many known or suspected carcinogens in hair products. If you plan to dye your hair, go for highlight because the product is not directly touching your scalp. Single hair dyeing process requires color to sit on the scalp for a prolonged period.
Skip self-tanner.
- Be cautious with what you put on your skin because anything you apply on your skin is potentially absorbed into your bloodstream. Before you put anything on your skin, it is best to read the labels first to check if the self-tanners contain any known carcinogens that can irritate the skin.
Shy away from Botox or lip fillers when pregnant
- If you are planning to have fuller lips using injectable fillers during child expectancy, avoid undergoing such treatments. Although fillers are fine when done by a trained professional, there is no evidence or studies that they are safe for use during pregnancy. Hence, it is better to wait until after baby is born.
Be careful in waxing
- You can do waxing even if you are pregnant but be sure that it is done properly by an expert to prevent ingrown hairs or infections. Also, when you visit as waxing salon, be sure to check the salon’s cleanliness and sanitation process.
Don’t use hydroquinone to treat melasma during pregnancy
- If you develop melasma during your pregnancy, do not use hydroquinone to treat it. Prevent formation of dark spots on your face using chemical-free sunscreen that contains either titanium dioxide and zinc oxide or combination of both. Hydroquinone is used to lighten dark spots but it is not 100 percent safe so stay away from products with hydroquinone.
