Pregnancy and your Skin: Expectations and treatments

Pregnancy hormones cause your pores to secrete excess oil, making you vulnerable to heat rash, skin discolouration and acne. Add to that your suppressed immunity (to protect your baby) and stretched blood vessels, you have a recipe for surface inflammation. Urgh like expecting Mum’s don’t have enough to worry about.

But before you start feeling powerless about your out-of-control pubescent-like skin, rest assured there are steps you can take for any skin changes you experience while you’re pregnant:

1- Cleanse and exfoliate. Wash with a gentle cleanser 2-3 times a day to keep pregnancy pimples/acne at bay.

Once a week Exfoliate very gently too and finish off with an oil-free moisturizer. Remember overly stripped skin is more prone to breakouts.

Stay away from active ingredients such as Retinols and Vitamin B’s and Cs and swap them for salicylic acid (2%) or benzoyl peroxide.

*A top tip from one of our Nurses*- Honey Masks twice a week help control inflammation and has antibacterial properties.

2- Your diet. Stick to an appropriate pregnancy diet which contains the right balance of nutrients. Seeing how you can’t use Active ingredients topically, it’s so important to nourish your skin from the inside.

The Mums and Mums-to-be at My Botique are in agreeance that the 2 most important nutrients to help your skin whilst pregnant is Zinc and Vitamin A.

Foods rich in Zinc and pregnancy safe are-

• meat, including beef, pork, and poultry
• beans
• nuts and seeds

Foods rich in Vitamin A and pregnancy safe are-

• beef liver
• chicken
• vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, sweet potato, and carrot
• fruits, such as cantaloupe and apricots

3- Hydrate. Make H20 your new best friend and your skin will thank you with a healthy glow.

4- Make-up. Look for the words “noncomedogenic” and “unscented” when you’re buying makeup. So basically avoid Parabens, Retinol and Fragrances. Not only are these bad for the bub as far as absorption is concerned, but it will also irritate your skin ending in further inflammation and discolouration. Instead, turn to BB creams and CC creams.

As a cosmetic Injection clinic, it is also worth pointing out that pregnant and breastfeeding mums can not be treated with anti-wrinkle injections or dermal fillers. Laser treatments are also off the books, as well as microdermabrasions and chemical peels. Nobody understands these sacrifices more than our My Botique Mums, but when you’re holding your beautiful little bub in your arms, it’s all worth it. And rest assured, My Botique will always be supporting you and waiting to treat you when you are ready.

So what is available at My Botique for expecting Mum’s? Our range of Masks are fantastic at rejuvenating the skin, adding hydration and tone. We also offer B12 shots which is an imperative vitamin for the health of Baby and Mum. And finally, our range of skincare from Aspect Dr has some fantastic mild options to add to your daily skincare regime.

For more information, book a no-obligation consultation with our medical professionals.

Book online at www.mybotique.com.au or call the clinic on 9905 3237