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Beauty Do's and Don'ts
Tips and Tricks for Moms-to-be
By Laura Cone
During pregnancy, women should treat their skin gently and use a natural, organic skincare line, according to Dr. Pontius. She typically advocates a medical-grade, serious skincare regimen for her patients, but not during pregnancy.
"Remember, what goes on your skin may go into your baby so read all labels carefully and thoroughly," she says. "Specifically, you definitely want to avoid Retin-A, Renova or any vitamin-A-derived skincare product. Additionally, you want to avoid salicylic acid-containing products. Both of these may be harmful to the fetus."
She also recommends avoiding products containing soy, because soy contains estrogenic components, which can worsen hyperpigmentation or melasma.
She says women who have a tan or darker skin may worry about what is called the "mask of pregnancy," or hyperpigmentation and melasma. The best way to avoid pigmentation issues is to use an SPF 30 or more sun block every day, she says.
"Finally, fair skin may see development or worsening of rosacea (redness or ruddiness of the skin) and/or the development of spider veins," Dr. Pontius says. "This is due to the increased blood flow. This is a very difficult condition to prevent during pregnancy. I advise you to treat your skin very gently and use a line of skincare products for sensitive skin." Following pregnancy, if the rosacea and spider veins persist, a woman may find effective treatment with an Nd-YAG or pulsed-dye laser.
Some of the signs a woman may be reacting to a skincare product include developing redness or visible irritation of the skin following application. "To avoid this, make sure you use very gentle products during pregnancy," Dr. Pontius says. "This is not the time to use an aggressive regimen. Your goal during pregnancy should be to maintain your skin condition by using natural, gentle products."
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