Introducing any new skincare regimen during pregnancy to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. Ultimately, the journey to beautiful skin during pregnancy is not just about aesthetics but also a celebration of the remarkable transformation.
During pregnancy dark circles, pigmentation and chapped lips are all too common. Though these pregnancy-induced skin problems are temporary and resolve within a few months after the delivery, while they are there they can cause you a great deal of discomfort. The flip side is you cannot opt for high end beauty treatments to counter them. Natural remedies are the best way to treat skin problems during pregnancy. Here are some of the most common skin problems that you might face during pregnancy and some tips to deal with the same:
Pigmentation: Skin pigmentation during pregnancy is very common due to the activation of various hormones. Dark patches called chloasma appear on the cheeks and bridge of the nose of many women. Sometimes, these patches are also present in the armpits, on the armpits and the private areas too. To treat them naturally:
Apply some fresh pulp of aloe vera on your face. Alternately, you can also apply cucumber juice, tomato juice or lime juice mixed with milk on the darkened areas.
Grind an almond with few stems of saffron, mix it with milk and apply it to the areas that need attention. Let it dry on your face and then wash it off completely.
Make a face pack using papaya leaf powder, aloe vera pulp, turmeric powder, dried rose powder and multani mitti in water or milk. Apply this mixture on your face and allow it to dry. As the pack dries off, gently wash it with water. This will help to improve your skin tone and blood circulation in the facial area too. This pack also acts as a natural bleaching agent, which is effective for pregnant women.
Take a rind of lemon dipped in turmeric powder and apply it directly on the pigmented areas. You can also apply it over your stretch marks to reduce any itching. Also read expert solutions on skin problems for pregnant women.
Stretch marks: As you progress through your pregnancy and your baby grows inside you, the uterus stretches out which gives rise to whitish, pink patches or stripes on the stomach and the thighs that are termed as stretch marks. While stretch marks are unavoidable during pregnancy, there is a lot you can do to reduce their effects. To counter them effectively:
Apply aloe vera gel on the affected areas. Keep it on for some time and wash thoroughly with cold water later.
Make a moisturising pack with one spoon of sandalwood powder and dried rose powder; mix it with half spoon of aloe vera powder and papaya powder along with 10 drops of almond oil, two drops of lavender oil and some milk or milk cream. If needed, add some water to it to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on the areas where the stretch marks appear, 10 minutes before you have a bath. Rub it off gently and then have a warm bath. You can also use a moisturiser to moisten the areas after bathing.
Prepare a massage oil by mixing 50 mL of sesame oil, 20 drops of lavender oil, 5 drops of neroli oil and 10 mL of wheatgerm oil. Gently massage this oil on the affected areas before bedtime.
Cracked heels and lips: Your metabolism increases during pregnancy, generating more heat in the body. In winter or if the weather is dry this can lead to cracked heels and lips, which can add to your other skin woes during pregnancy. To help combat such problems:
Make a cream with one spoon of dried rose powder, papaya powder, liquorice, bark of arjun tree and add these to some milk cream or warmed cocoa butter along with two drops of lavender oil. Wash your feet and apply this cream on your feet thoroughly before going to bed.
To treat your cracked lips, simply apply some ghee or vegetable oil.
Dry skin: Dry skin during pregnancy can be difficult to deal with. Keeping yourself hydrated can be a better way to keep the moisture in your skin intact. If you are prone to dry skin however, special care might be needed. To ensure that your skin is moisturised thoroughly:
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Use a herbal oobtan or body pack instead of soap. To make one, add 10 drops of sandalwood and geranium oils with five drops of rose and ylang ylang oil. To this add 10 mL of wheatgerm oil and 50 mL of sesame oil. Use this as massage oil for your entire body.
Apply this oil on your nipples too and gently pull them forward to keep them supple and to avoid retracted and cracked nipples while breastfeeding. Also read about fruit packs that effectively treat dry skin.
Dark circles: Dark circles under the eyes is a common problem for many during pregnancy. In addition, itching, burning and reddening of eyes is also prevalent. To treat your dark circles try these simple home remedies:
Apply a soothing eye pack. Dip two cotton balls in cold milk and put them over your eyes and leave it for 10 minutes.
Add two drops of lavender oil to some cold water or cucumber juice and apply it gently with your finger tips under the eyes.
Scrub the dark circles with apple or papaya pulp. Freshly grated potato can also work wonders for the same.
Note:All ingredients mentioned above might be readily available in your kitchen or at an herbal/aromatherapy store. Before you try these out it would be best to have a word with your gynecologist during one of your prenatal visits to be sure about their usage. Generally, herbal and homemade packs are believed to be safe to use even during pregnancy, but in case you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies it is better to consult a dermatologist too, before trying anything new during your pregnancy.
Reference: Garbhasanskar during Pregnancy by Dr Vikram Shah and Geetanjali Shah.
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