Skincare during Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, nurturing and pampering are a must as the body goes through abrupt, challenging and unpredictable physical and mental changes that can put a strain on the mother-to-be. A new baby is a life changing step for any couple and one that should be treated with the utmost care; as part of this amazing life changing journey visits to a spa or salon to address shifting needs, whether to seek solutions for skin concerns or pursue pure relaxation, will contribute to the preparation of the mind and body for the arrival of a new baby.
Treating pregnant women in spas has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years; it’s now possible for a pregnant client to walk into a spa or salon and have a vast array of different treatment options available to her. In fact, many spas and salons offer pamper packages especially for the
mum-to-be. Therapists are becoming better educated about the precise needs and specialist care required during pregnancy, thus ensuring expectant women are able to enjoy safe, relaxing and appropriate treatments that have been suitably adapted and expressly tailored to suit them. As therapists’ edification is improved so confidence grows in this area of therapy, enabling spas and salons to provide knowledgeable, comfort-driven treatments and encouraging pregnant women to feel completely relaxed in professional, experienced hands.
Most spas and salons will only treat pregnant women that have passed their first trimester (the first 3 months of pregnancy) as it is after this time that morning sickness usually subsides and most of the major structures of the baby have been formed, making it a much safer stage at which to provide treatments.
During pregnancy women may notice and experience the following changes in their bodies, these changes are the reasons why seeking professional treatments and recommendations from a skin care professional is so important:
- Due to an increased blood flow, spider veins can appear on the cheeks, nose, thighs, calves and ankles. Red or purplish in colour they usually fade after birth or can be treated post pregnancy with laser or IPL. Because of the increased blood flow to the capillaries of the skin and mucous membranes, in particular to hands and feet, the pregnancy ‘bloom’ eliminates extra heat generated by foetal metabolism.
- During pregnancy, moles and freckles can appear darker and the development of skin tags on the underarms, neck folds and under bra lines can also be noticed. Again these changes usually disappear after the pregnancy but can be treated post-pregnancy if not. Chloasma, or butterfly mask as it is also known, can sometimes appear across the face; this usually fades after the baby is born but avoiding exposure to sun will help to prevent the area from darkening. This occurrence is caused by a raised level of hormones that stimulate pigment-producing cells, or melanocytes, to make more melanin. Wearing an SPF everyday will help to combat this.
- Skin often changes in pregnancy; depending on the individual, skin can become oilier, drier, more sensitive or even acne prone. Seeking advice from a skin care specialist during this time is crucial to help find a suitable regime that efficiently controls the arising problems. Quite often products that have worked in harmony with the skin before pregnancy can become too harsh or less effective during pregnancy and new products need to be sought that better accommodate and address changes in the skin.
- Backache can become a problem as the weight of the pregnancy bump alters a woman’s centre of gravity; around the fifth or sixth month this can grow to be uncomfortable so regular massage would be highly beneficial at this stage. Therapists are far more familiar with techniques that enable a pregnant woman to receive a massage at a comfortable angle so any specific positioning needs can be discussed prior to treatment to ensure a deeply relaxing and positive experience.
- Water retention can cause very heavy legs and ankles, which is why most pregnancy massages will focus on draining movements to help release this build up of water; some women suffer water retention to such a degree that it can even change the shape of the eye balls, this usually doesn’t cause any problems unless the pregnant woman is a contact lens wearer in which case she should wear glasses until the water retention subsides.
- Varicose veins can appear during pregnancy due to the release of the hormone progesterone, which causes blood vessels to relax or soften and more blood to circulate. Legs suffer the most, especially as the uterus puts pressure on pelvic veins and on inferior vena cava. Areas with varicose veins should be avoided during any treatments but after the birth of the baby there will be less pressure on the veins and they should reduce; additionally, a GP can discuss the medical removal options available.
As the points discussed above demonstrate, not only does the body change but due to hormonal adjustments, skin type can dramatically alter as well. The best treatments to go for are those specifically designed for the pregnant client as they have been developed with concerns such as water retention, backache and correct positioning in mind. When it comes to facial treatments, it is preferable to opt for sensitive products due to the unpredictable nature of skin during this time of upheaval; a product that was once fine to use on the skin pre pregnancy can become irritating and
aggregative during pregnancy depending on the ingredients within the product and the tolerance of the skin.
Ingredients should be carefully examined when purchasing or using every day skincare products but when pregnant this analysis becomes essential as certain ingredients can pose adverse health risks to mother and child; examples include retinol and acids. During pregnancy there is a higher risk of pigmentation in the skin due to increased melanin production, consequently applying an exfoliating ingredient can lead to a greater possibility of pigmentation. Acids, including those such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid, are worth avoiding while pregnant as they can be too harsh on the sensitive skin. The most suitable ingredients for skin while pregnant include propolis, chamomile, calendula and Shea butter as they all have calming, soothing, anti-irritant and protective properties. Shea butter is excellent for daily use on the stomach, breasts and other areas prone to stretch marks caused by the tearing of the dermis as a result of rapid stretching of the skin during pregnancy; Shea butter also keeps the skin exceptionally hydrated, which can help prevent the sore, itchy feeling that may occur as the skin stretches to accommodate the baby bump.
As well as identifying suitable and safe ingredients for use during pregnancy, it’s also important to consider products and ingredients best for the new born baby. Skin complaints, such as eczema and psoriasis, in very young children are fairly common and poor ingredients often found in baby’s
products could be a contributing factor. Ingredients such as alcohol, mineral oil and lanolin should all be avoided as they have no benefit to the skin and can actually have adverse effects.
To ensure advantageous products are used and beneficial treatments received during pregnancy, a consultation with a skin care professional is strongly advised. They will be able to give specific guidance about the most suitable pregnancy products and treatments available in addition to providing effective post pregnancy skincare recommendations that enable the mother and new born baby to achieve healthy, calm and nurtured skin.
