Pregnancy Beauty Regimen: How to look beautiful safely?

We all know that smoking and drinking alcohol are not good for you when you are expecting a baby . There is nothing much to say about that. But, what do you think about the beauty products like creams, makeup, and hair color that we use every day? You must have wondered at some point whether these will affect your baby. This is actually a problem that many mothers have. So, don't worry. Let's talk about this clearly today.

Simply put, anything we put on our skin, whether it's a cream or a lotion, can be absorbed into our body through the skin, even a small amount. There is a chance that the chemicals we absorb will get into the bloodstream and pass through the placenta to the baby. Not everything will go to the baby, but there is a chance that we should be a little more careful about this at this time. If you have any doubts about a product, the best thing to do is to show it to your doctor and ask about it.

Let's take a look at some of the things we use during pregnancy.

Let's take a look at which of the things we use every day are safe and which ones we should use with caution.

What about teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening gels mainly contain a chemical called peroxide. Although it is safe for the average adult, there are no specific studies on how it affects the baby during pregnancy. Therefore, doctors advise that it is wise to avoid teeth whitening products during this period .

• So what do you do?: Instead, you can use a whitening toothpaste. There's no problem with that. The most important thing is to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, floss, and continue to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist.

Using Hair Spray and Nail Polish

Many hair sprays and nail polishes contain chemicals called phthalates . Animal studies have shown that these chemicals can affect male sexual development. However, it is not yet proven that they affect humans. But we don't want to take unnecessary risks, right?

• Nail Polish: Choose nail polishes that are labeled 'Phthalate-free'. Alternatively, apply nail polish in a well-ventilated area, such as near a window . This will reduce your exposure to the fumes. Since the nail polish will not absorb the chemicals from your nails after it dries, there is no risk to your baby.
• Hair Spray: There is a high risk of inhaling hair spray particles when using hair spray. Instead, it is safer to use a mousse or gel for your hair.

Protecting your skin from the sun and self-tanners

Self-tanners are creams that give the skin a bronzed look without going into the sun. There hasn't been much research on how safe these are for pregnant women. So it's best to avoid using them during these 9 months.

However, sunscreen is essential during this time. Because hormonal changes during pregnancy make your skin more photosensitive than usual. You are also more likely to develop chloasma or "mask of pregnancy" when exposed to the sun.

• The best sunscreen: Some sunscreens contain oxybenzone. There is some concern about whether these are absorbed into the skin. Therefore, the safest option is to choose sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide . These do not absorb into the skin, but sit on the surface of the skin and reflect the sun's rays. These are called 'physical sunscreens'.
• Also, minimize exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. as much as possible. Wear a hat and cover up .

Be especially careful about acne, hair color, and wrinkle treatments.

We should think twice about some cosmetic treatments during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Pimples

Acne is very common during this time due to hormonal changes. But taking any medication you feel like taking can be dangerous. Some medications, in particular, can cause serious birth defects in the baby.

If you have a lot of acne, be sure to talk to your doctor . He or she will provide the safest treatment for both you and your baby.

Is it good to color hair?

This is also a problem for many people. To be honest, there hasn't been much research on the effects of hair dye on pregnant women. Some doctors say that the amount of chemical absorbed through the skin is so small that it's unlikely to harm the baby. But others say that they don't know enough about this and that it's best not to use it.

• Precautions: It's best to avoid coloring your hair during the first trimester of pregnancy, as that's when the baby's organs are most sensitive for development.
• If you do it later, choose ammonia-free products. Do it in a well-ventilated area. Highlighting your hair without applying it directly to your scalp is safer than coloring your entire head.

Anti-Wrinkle Cream and Botox

Many anti-wrinkle creams contain something called retinol . Retinol is a form of vitamin A. There is strong evidence that it can cause birth defects in babies if taken in excess. Therefore, do not use any cream containing retinol (Retinol, Retin-A, Tretinoin) during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. If you have any doubts about the cream you are using, it is best to show it to your doctor and ask.

There's no need to think twice about Botox . Since there's no study on the safety of Botox injections during pregnancy, experts recommend avoiding this treatment completely until after you're pregnant.

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