Skin care during pregnancy

Stretch marks and spots are some of the most visible changes that can leave a mark on the pregnant woman's skin. Can we do something to prevent them? Can lotions, deodorants and colonies be used safely during pregnancy? What precautions should we have with cosmetics in pregnancy? With the advice of

With the advice of Dr. Ángela Hernández Martín, a dermatologist at the Niño Jesús Hospital in Madrid, you will be able to keep your skin off during pregnancy.

5 questions about the delicate skin of the pregnant woman

1. How should a pregnant woman take care of her skin taking into account her hormonal changes?
The pregnant woman is going to undergo a series of hormonal and vascular changes very important throughout pregnancy. First of all, it is important that you maintain proper hygiene. Regarding all the cosmetic products that you apply on your skin, you must be certain that they are not products that your skin can absorb, because it can reach the fetus and cause problems. Most cosmetics do not have any problem, but a doctor may prescribe a treatment, and they must bear in mind that pregnancy can change the prescription of the doctor.

2. What can pregnant women do to prevent stretch marks in the abdomen, buttocks and thighs?
Pregnant women will also encounter the problem of distension of their abdomen, which, for physiological reasons, may cause them to develop, in some cases, more or less important stretch marks. To prevent stretch marks from appearing, products that nourish the skin and keep it elastic so that this distension is not as intense and, in some way, can prevent stretch marks, can be used from the beginning of pregnancy. However, women prone to stretch marks will have them regardless of the cosmetic products they use. However, moisturizing the abdominal area with specific antiestria products, can help them develop to a lesser extent and the final cosmetic result is better, especially for the postpartum.

3. How can we avoid stains during pregnancy?
The hormonal changes of the woman favor the appearance of spots on the skin and sun exposure facilitates even more the appearance of spots. For this reason, pregnant women should use a moisturizer daily with a sunscreen with high protection factor to prevent this pigmentation from appearing on the skin. If, in spite of everything, the spots appear, the sun protection factor must be used to prevent the pigmentation from becoming more extensive.

4. During pregnancy, can you use the same lotions, deodorants or usual colognes? What precautions should we have with cosmetics in pregnancy?
In pregnancy, it is necessary to use only the cosmetic products in which we have security and these are those that do not have transcutaneous or percutaneous absorption of components to prevent them from reaching the fetus. In principle, most cosmetic products do not offer problems. On the other hand, we must be more careful with the treatment products that, occasionally, should be prescribed to pregnant women. Before starting to use them, they must notify the doctors who are prescribing these products of their pregnancy so that the doctor can determine the absolute safety of the medication.
5. How should the intimate hygiene of the pregnant woman be?
The intimate hygiene of the pregnant woman must be careful. It is recommended that hygiene be daily. Due to their hormonal changes, pregnant women are more likely to suffer from genital and urinary diseases. Candidiasis of the genital area, for example, or infections of the urinary tract are frequent when there is no adequate hygiene in the area. It is convenient, therefore, that they use gels of intimate hygiene, at least once a day, to prevent the development of infections potentially harmful to the fetus.