Oily skin care during pregnancy.  Always beautiful. Body care during pregnancy. Complex of measures for face care

Pregnancy is not a disease, as we often mention it, but a normal physiological process for the female body. During pregnancy, the psychological and physical state of a woman changes greatly. Everything changes: hormones, metabolism, vascular system, body weight. All these changes occur gradually and incrementally - from month to month. The skin and hair after childbirth restore their original state quickly enough, which, unfortunately, cannot be said about the figure. Therefore, you should take care of your appearance during this period more carefully, especially your body, so that after pregnancy you can quickly return to shape and not waste extra time on recovery procedures, visits to doctors and treatment of complications. Especially carefully you need to take care of yourself in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. In the first weeks, the fetus is only formed and does not protect itself with the placenta, and in the last three months a woman's body weight increases, the walls of blood vessels lose their elasticity, the skin stretches, and as a result, varicose veins, stretch marks, hemorrhoids, dry skin and many other problems appear.

Regular and proper care behind you during pregnancy will significantly increase your chances of being attractive and well-groomed both during gestation and after childbirth, because your child must certainly have a beautiful and slender mother!

Stretch marks or striae

Due to the ever-increasing size of the abdomen, there is often a divergence or rupture of the connective tissues, and since hormonal changes disrupt the metabolic processes in the skin, in particular in its germ cells, from which all layers of the skin originate, they recover more slowly. Because of this, so-called pregnancy bands, or stretch marks, striae appear in places of ruptures. These stripes, up to 15 cm long, are initially bluish-red in color, and then turn white, becoming silvery. They may appear as early as the 3rd month, but are most commonly seen during the last third of pregnancy.

Stretch marks are, in fact, scars that are practically not amenable to complete elimination. The most serious problem is that the mechanism of stretch marks formation is similar to the mechanism of aging, but acts faster. In addition to the abdomen, due to weight gain, stretch marks can appear on the hips. In addition, if there is a hereditary predisposition (i.e., mom has stretch marks after pregnancy), then you will have to work hard from the very beginning of pregnancy.

A contrast shower - alternating warm and cool water (later, when you get used to it, you can alternate hot water with cold water) - improves blood circulation and, accordingly, blood supply to tissues, including skin ( cold and hot shower it is also useful for those prone to varicose veins), due to improved blood circulation of collagen and elastin fibers, skin elasticity increases. During pregnancy, a contrast shower is recommended to be used only in the thighs, buttocks - and only if there are no pregnancy complications! Shared contrast shower can cause a miscarriage!

Body massage with a mitten made of natural plant fibers, such as sisal, or with a natural bristle brush. It is necessary to start the massage from the legs, gradually rising higher and higher, and in no case put pressure on the stomach, just massage it in a circular motion. Massage also improves the blood supply to the skin.

Pinch massage: easily pinch all problem areas with your fingertips - also to activate blood supply and improve skin elasticity.

Peeling scrubs twice a week - they improve skin microcirculation, stimulate the formation of new cells. They are applied to the body from the bottom up - from the feet to the very neck.

After these procedures, a cream, gel or lotion should be applied to the skin to prevent stretch marks - thanks to the content of vitamins A and E, special plant extracts and fruit acids, they normalize the activity of skin germ cells: the cream gently removes dead cells and helps new cells to appear faster, for this, the skin becomes more elastic. Vitamin E at the same time prevents the damaging effect of free radicals on cells. Rub creams with gentle massaging movements that raise the overall tone of the skin and muscles, improve blood circulation, stimulate tissue elasticity, and improve oxygen access. Light massage should be carried out daily for 5-10 minutes, carefully massaging the areas of skin stretch marks. You need to use these cosmetics for all 9 months, and especially in the last 3-4 weeks before childbirth.

Stretch marks are places where a rupture of collagen and elastin fibers has occurred, and at the site of the rupture a scar tissue, that is, stretch marks that have already arisen cannot be eliminated with a cream - they can only be eliminated with the help of a surgical operation.

Cellulite

Weight gain and cellulite are a completely normal physiological phenomenon during pregnancy, but it is very important to monitor the rate of weight gain and fight the primary manifestations of cellulite, since the better the body condition during pregnancy, the easier it will be to get in shape after childbirth and lactation. .

According to modern concepts, cellulite is a condition of a woman's body, in which there is a "locking" of fat deposits filled with toxins. The structure of the cell is disturbed, leading to a violation of water metabolism, normal outflow of blood and lymph. Over time, due to the accumulated toxins and fluid pressure, the cells are completely destroyed. The subcutaneous layer becomes dense, bumpy.

There are several stages of cellulite, which is often compared to orange peel. The initial stage is invisible externally, especially during pregnancy, when body weight generally increases, but it is very easy to determine whether or not cellulite is present: on problem areas (thighs, buttocks, popliteal cavities) with two fingers - thumb and forefinger - you need to make a big pinch, holding a part of the body between the fingers. If the skin in this place is covered with uneven tubercles that smooth out after you release your fingers, this is the initial stage of cellitis, it will get worse further - the tubercles and depressions will completely cover the problem area.

It is useless to fight cellulite occasionally - only daily preventive procedures will help maintain good shape. Below are procedures aimed at preventing and treating cellulite:

Before shower, rub your body with a natural fiber mitten or a natural bristle brush, observing the law of massage - rising from the feet to the heart. During this procedure, blood circulation is activated, which is important in case of fluid stagnation in cellulite.

Standing in the shower, apply a special body scrub to problem areas and massage the skin in circular motions for 5-7 minutes. This massage improves microcirculation and relieves puffiness, besides exfoliating dead cells skin and thus improving its access to nutrients.

Do vacuum massage- for it you will need one or more plastic jars (they are sold at the pharmacy). You can carry out the procedure both during the shower, and regardless of it. To do this, apply massage oil, cream or shower gel to problem areas (this will help the jar slide easily), then squeeze the jar so that air comes out of it, attach it tightly to the body so that it pinches part of it, and start in a circular motion or in zigzag movements, drive the jar over problem areas - again rising from the bottom up, without affecting the inner thighs: in this area, such a procedure is extremely painful. This procedure takes 5-10 minutes, and the main thing in it is not to stop the jar in one place, otherwise a bruise may appear. If there are several cans, one or two can be massaged by holding them in different hands, and attach the rest for a short time, for example, in the "riding breeches" zone. Under the influence of such a massage, the peripheral circulation of blood, lymph, interstitial fluid improves and, as a result, congestion is eliminated, the metabolism in the massaged area increases. It should be noted that banks should not be placed on the stomach, as this can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus and the threat of abortion.

The same contrast shower will also help you - it is very good to direct water jets under pressure to problem areas using a flexible hose, alternating the water temperature from hot to cold. finish water procedures need cold water.

After a shower, blot your body with a towel and apply an anti-cellulite cream or gel on it - such products used during pregnancy may contain vitamin E (its content in the cream increases skin elasticity), as well as products that improve blood flow in the smallest vessels, increase vascular tone and reducing swelling of the legs (horse chestnut, calendula, green tea, seaweed, etc.). Be sure to read the composition of the cream, as some creams may contain phytoestrogens, the action of which is similar to the action of the female hormone estrogen. A large number of estrogen can adversely affect pregnancy, provoking the threat of termination. These are red clover, alfalfa, flax, licorice, red grapes, hops. And although there is an opinion that phytohormones are not absorbed through the skin, it is not worth the risk.

Instead of cosmetic anti-cellulite remedies, you can use homeopathic ones - orange oil, fucus oil and others have the same anti-cellulite effect.

By using special tights for pregnant women, which also regulate blood circulation by means of a specially distributed pressure on the legs, it is also possible to combat circulatory disorders - the cause of cellulite, as well as edema.

Mammary gland

The breast of a woman begins to prepare for a meeting with the baby at the very beginning of pregnancy. The process of breast enlargement proceeds unevenly. In the first ten weeks, the breast increases quite quickly, then the process stops for two to four weeks, and then the development of the mammary glands resumes, gradually increasing. By the end of pregnancy, the volume of each breast increases by about 200 ml. Simultaneously with the increase in mammary glands, changes in the nipples and areolas are observed: the diameter of the areolas increases on average from 35 to 51 mm, and the nipple itself - from 10 to 12 mm. The nipple becomes more elastic and mobile. As the mammary gland grows, the load on the skin also increases. The higher the skin tone, the more it has the opportunity to return to its original state. The more elastic the skin, the less likely it is to have stretch marks.

Care of the mammary glands implies, first of all, regular washing of the breast with boiled water at room temperature with mild soap. After washing, the mammary glands are dried and rubbed with a hard towel.

Several times a day, the mammary glands need to arrange air baths for 10-15 minutes so that the skin "breathes". To do this, you need to remove clothes and underwear from the upper part of the body and walk or lie down for the specified time. In no case do not apply wet compresses to the mammary glands!

To maintain the elasticity of the breast skin, it is necessary to perform a number of procedures daily and sequentially: first, in the morning or in the evening, massage the breasts every day with a cool shower. The movements in this case should be circular, directed to the armpits; It is best to use a shower with a flexible hose. After a shower, the skin should be thoroughly wiped off and a special skin firming and anti-stretch cream should be applied to it.

You can also use special cosmetics designed for breast skin care during pregnancy. Cosmetics for expectant mothers, as a rule, are created on the basis of natural ingredients: essential oils, vitamins, extracts from plants, algae and microorganisms.

The chest does not have its own muscles, and the ligaments during pregnancy and lactation are stretched, so at this time it needs support more than ever - in the literal and figurative sense of the word. A properly selected bra protects the chest from injury, stretch marks, relieves the load on the spine and provides optimal support during pregnancy and lactation. A good bra, first of all, should be made of natural, "breathable" fabric, because during pregnancy, blood circulation becomes more intense, and therefore often there is increased sweating. From the "bones" will have to be abandoned - they impede the outflow of blood and lymph from the mammary gland. The more the bust increases, the more important wide straps and multi-level fasteners become for you. And do not forget that a properly selected bra also has a cosmetic effect - maintaining muscle and skin tone, it prevents the formation of stretch marks. At the end of pregnancy, there may be a discharge of colostrum from the mammary glands.
In such cases, special breast pads should be used.

Care of the external genitalia

Care of the external genitalia obligatory part personal hygiene of a woman. During pregnancy, secretion from the vagina increases. This is due to the increasing blood filling of the pelvic organs, hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman.

Frequent urination is another common pregnancy problem. Stagnation of the vaginal secret creates favorable conditions for infection, development and reproduction of various bacteria, fungi. Therefore, your hygiene procedures should become more frequent than usual. It is necessary to wash the external genitalia with warm water in the morning, after a bowel movement, and at night, using a special liquid soap for intimate hygiene. Wash your hands only after thoroughly washing your hands with warm water and soap. The toilet of the external genital organs is carried out in the direction from the pubis to the anus. Douching is completely prohibited in the last 6-8 weeks of pregnancy, and the rest of the time they are used only as directed by a doctor. With abundant discharge, a change in their color, the appearance of a pungent odor and inflammatory processes in the perineum, you should immediately consult a doctor!

Underwear should be made from natural fabrics and free (do not squeeze). It should be changed daily. After washing, linen must be ironed with a hot iron. Considering that during pregnancy, the amount of vaginal discharge increases in most women, you can use daily sanitary pads, while changing them at least 3-4 times a day.

Growth of belly hair

Do not be upset because of excessive hair growth on the anterior abdominal wall. The fact is that this is a sign of your baby growing up: the adrenal cortex begins to secrete androgens - male sex hormones. No need to remove your hair: it is painful and dangerous, and can also cause stomach pain and worsen your condition. It is better to carefully cut them with small scissors or bleach them with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. More radical hair removal with wax or electricity is best postponed until the baby is born.

Enhanced pigmentation

During pregnancy, the synthesis of melanin pigment increases in the woman's body, due to which pigment spots can appear on the face, and a brown strip from the navel to the womb appears on the stomach of some pregnant women. During pregnancy, it makes no sense to “fight” this strip, since after childbirth it disappears.

Age spots on the face can appear at any time of pregnancy, but especially if the second half of it passes in the spring and summer. Long walks in the fresh air are a must for every pregnant woman, especially in the second half of pregnancy. Although it is not recommended for pregnant women to walk all the time in the sun on hot summer days, nevertheless, it is impossible to “avoid” the sun completely. And the sun just causes the appearance of pigmentation on the skin of the face.

One of the causes of age spots is a lack of vitamin C. This vitamin is found in vegetable products (cabbage, green onions, spinach, tomatoes, black and red currants, strawberries, strawberries, raspberries, mountain ash, tangerines, oranges, lemons, apples, etc. ), and animal origin (meat, fish, liver, kidneys, etc.). If it is not possible to get enough vitamin C in its natural form, you can take it in the form of vitamins (pellets). It is recommended to take vitamin C for a long time, making it rest for a week after each dose.

Before going out, always apply creams with a high SPF factor (at least 30) to your skin. And remember that its action time ends after a maximum of 4 hours, so if you spend a lot of time on the street, you must remove the previous layer of cream and apply a new one.

You can also use zinc ointment, after applying the face you need to powder.

It is strictly forbidden during pregnancy and breastfeeding to use whitening creams containing mercury preparations, even in small quantities. This is dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the child. You can use bleaching creams that do not contain mercury and perhydrol ointments (5-10 percent). These creams can be used in the evening and at night, but only age spots should be lubricated with them (a very thin layer).

Means based on plant extracts (parsley, bearberry) have a slight whitening effect. However, even approved whitening products can cause allergies, since most of them are based on acids. Therefore, before use, a small amount of the drug should be applied to inside wrists and check the absence of an allergic reaction: redness, burning, itching. Most age spots after childbirth disappear without a trace.

leg swelling, varicose veins

The growing uterus puts pressure on the veins of the abdominal cavity, making it difficult and disrupting the normal blood circulation, plus weight increases and the hormonal background changes - all this contributes to the formation of varicose veins.

But do not limit yourself to applying creams and low heels, act more actively. For example, at home, do cool baths every night, and even better - massage with a cool shower, from the big toe to the knee. The composition of foot care products should be aimed at improving lymph drainage and strengthening the vascular wall, it can be seaweed, menthol, horse chestnut extract, blueberry, arnica, vitamins K and C.

Compliance with all the rules of personal hygiene during pregnancy is a rather hard and painstaking work that requires future mother self-discipline and diligence. But the rewards for this daily work - your baby's health, your beauty and wellness - are worth the effort.

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes many changes. This is true not only for internal organs and systems of a woman, but also for the skin, the condition of which is especially changing.

As a rule, facial skin becomes oilier during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the hormonal background of a woman is changing, as well as the activation of the sebaceous and sweat glands. True, there is a category of expectant mothers who note that their skin, with the onset of pregnancy, has become drier.

Some women have pigmentation of the skin on the face for 9 months. For example, chloasma (spots on the forehead, nose and cheeks) may occur. Typically, pregnant women fair skin these spots are dark in color, while in dark-skinned people, on the contrary, they are light. After giving birth, everything will return to normal. In the meantime, try to stay out of the sun less, because under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the color of these spots can become more intense. In girls with freckles, during pregnancy, the face will become brighter and “reddish”. The owners of pale skin are the least susceptible to pigmentation. But for brunettes and brown-haired women, the risk of having a “mask of pregnant women,” as facial pigmentation is called, is quite high. The reason for this phenomenon is also in the increased effect on the body of sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone. When the baby is born and the hormonal background levels off, everything will return to its previous state.

Many women with healthy pregnancies develop a blush on their cheeks. The reason for this phenomenon is the increased volume of blood, which actively flows through the numerous blood vessels located under the skin.

During pregnancy, a woman may appear on her face. In no case do not try to drink any medication for acne, they can harm the baby.

Better take care of your face with harmless hypoallergenic cosmetics and natural products often used in home cosmetics. Acne can also appear against the background of hormonal changes. In this case, a woman needs the help of a dermatocosmetologist to prevent scarring.

Some pregnant women note that they have hair on their faces. Don't worry, as most of this hair will also disappear after childbirth. The appearance of excessive hairiness is explained by accelerated blood flow and an increase in the amount of nutrients in the mother's body, causing improved nutrition of skin cells.

Often, swelling of the face can be observed during pregnancy. The mechanism of the occurrence of edema is associated with a change in water-salt metabolism, as well as as a result of a violation of the outflow of blood and lymph through the veins of the legs and changes in the blood and vascular wall. If a woman's face swells, then they talk about the third stage of edema. On the first one, edema is noted in the area of ​​the feet and legs, on the second - in the lower extremities, lower abdomen and lumbosacral region, on the third, edema on the hands joins, and pastosity of the face "puffiness" appears. The fourth stage is general edema.

Swelling of the face is noticeable visually: it becomes more round. In addition, you can independently determine whether there is puffiness: press your finger on the skin, if there is a hole left, then most likely it is swelling. With these symptoms, you need to see a doctor immediately. He will determine the exact cause of edema and prescribe adequate treatment. Inaction in this case can lead to serious problems. Most likely, with edema, the doctor will prescribe a lacto-vegetarian diet for a pregnant woman, ask her to limit the intake of table salt, and if necessary, prescribe medications.

And, finally, I would like to note one more thing. Unfortunately, various signs regarding pregnancy are still relevant in everyday life. One of them says this: a pregnant woman should not touch her face, because the child will have many birthmarks. It is not clear for what reasons such nonsense was invented many years ago. And although there is no relationship, some people try to touch their faces as little as possible. But is it really possible for 9 months not to wash your face, not scratch your nose, in general, never touch your face? And what is the connection between tactile contact to the face of the mother and birthmarks baby? Therefore, be more reasonable and do not go on about unreasonable prejudices.

Be healthy! Happy and beautiful pregnancy!

Especially for- Elena Kichak

Instruction

It is difficult to predict what form the mammary glands will take on a child, so you need to take preventive measures that will preserve the beauty of the breast. The first step is to give preference to a good and comfortable bra. Bra cups should fit the glands well, but not squeeze them. Bras should be changed as the size of the breasts increases or decreases. Daily wash the mammary glands with lukewarm water and soap, wipe with a hard towel. To prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin, use vitamin preparations based on carotene, take them orally. Every morning and before going to bed, lubricate the mammary glands with vitamin cream with massage movements.

Teeth become quite brittle during pregnancy, so it is very important to eat foods high in vitamin C and calcium. Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, so you can prevent the development of cavities. Brush your teeth at least twice, preferably after every meal. See your dentist regularly for a routine checkup.

Pay special attention to your nails. Most women complain of brittle and split nails. This is due to a lack of calcium in the body. Baths are recommended two to three times a week. sea ​​salt. Dissolve a tablespoon of sea salt in a glass of warm boiled water, dip your nails in the bath and keep for twenty minutes. Can be lubricated at night nail plates iodine.

During pregnancy, facial cleansing should be avoided. But to cleanse the skin lung care peeling is not only possible, but necessary. Twice a week, use a natural facial scrub made from coffee grounds. The same light effect when cleaning gives a mask of oatmeal. These procedures will help you keep healthy color persons during the period of bearing a child and after childbirth.

Refuse during pregnancy from hair, highlights and perm, such experiments with hair may be unsafe for the unborn child. Use only high-quality shampoos and other products based on natural and natural ingredients for hair care. You can give your curls a healthy and shiny look with the help of honey. Mix a couple of tablespoons of warm honey with a teaspoon of castor oil. Apply the prepared mixture with a brush or fingers to the hair roots, perform a light head massage. After fifteen minutes, wash off the mask with warm water and shampoo.

But many problems can be prevented if you know about them in advance.

Skin pigmentation

The complexion during pregnancy can change. Sometimes they even talk about mask pregnant- light brown pigment spots that appear on the forehead or on the cheeks. Sometimes expectant mothers say that they are much lighter than before. blush, covered with a slight blush in the area of ​​​​the ears, eyelids, cheeks. It is completely harmless, age spots go away by themselves after childbirth, and the ability to blush with or without it will gradually disappear.

Often there is an increase in pigmentation throughout the body. In the body of a pregnant woman, more estrogens and progesterones are produced, and against this hormonal background, nipples, age spots and moles may darken somewhat. During this period, it is advisable to avoid open sunlight and ultraviolet radiation - do not go outside without sunscreen and a good headgear.

Do not try to correct the situation with peeling and whitening procedures - during pregnancy, the skin becomes very sensitive, and aggressive actions may not affect it in the best way.

rashes

Sometimes pregnancy presents not the most pleasant surprises in the form of various skin rashes. It can be:

Acne (pimples)

Appears against the background of a changed hormonal background. Do not attempt to cleanse your skin yourself with deep cleansing, steaming, etc. During pregnancy, it is better to use gentle oils that gently cleanse the skin. Your body now needs an increased amount of vitamins A and E (you can take them in combination - for example, in the preparation "Aevit"), but you should always consult with a gynecologist beforehand.

Rash in skin folds

This unpleasant phenomenon is often accompanied by redness and itching. Pay attention to underwear - it should be made of pure cotton. Try to ventilate the skin more often so that it can breathe freely. You can lubricate the rash with diluted lemon juice - this also helps to cope with the rash.

With itching (more often it appears in the sacrum, but sometimes occurs throughout the body), vitamins A and D will help to cope. Add to the diet olive oil, do not forget about carrots, yolks, fatty varieties of sea fish, orange vegetables and fruits, germinated wheat and nuts. Castor oil can be applied to itchy areas.

Venous Trouble

Venous "spiders" and "stars" on the legs also often appear for the first time during pregnancy - they often go away on their own, although just in case it would be nice to see a phlebologist with such a phenomenon.

Stretch marks

This is a separate problem that worries expectant mothers. Unfortunately, the tendency to stretch marks in most women is genetic. So ask your mom - if she had such a problem during pregnancy, you will need to pay special attention to the skin of the chest, thighs and abdomen.

Stretch marks (they are also “pregnancy bands”, they are also striae) appear as a result, again, of changes in the hormonal background. The skin lacks proteins and elastin, so it begins to thin (especially in those places where it stretches the most). The body seeks to repair intradermal tears as quickly as possible by building up connective tissue (similar to how a wound heals after an injury). At first, the connective tissue has a pink or purple hue, then the number of blood vessels in it decreases, and it becomes whitish, and even when sunburned, it does not change its color.

How to prevent stretch marks

• Eat properly without being fond of sweets and pastries. On the one hand, this will help not to gain excess weight On the other hand, it will have a beneficial effect on the skin. As we found out, the skin especially needs proteins (from which collagen and elastin are synthesized), as well as vegetables (a source of vitamins, carotenoids and other useful substances). By the way, about vitamins. Pay attention to vitamin E (tocopherol). It is believed that it is he who protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. If you take complex vitamins for pregnant women, then it is part of almost all complexes. But perhaps you need additional sources of vitamin E. It is especially abundant in cereals, sprouts (wheat, rye, peas), vegetables - tomatoes, lettuce, peas, spinach, parsley, rose hips. An excellent source of vitamin E is unrefined vegetable oils: sunflower, soybean, cottonseed, peanut, corn, sea buckthorn.
• influence outside. Vitamin E will also help with external use - it (together with other fat-soluble vitamins) is part of most special means"from stretch marks" (gels, creams, oils). They can be used starting from the third month of pregnancy, while the skin is not yet particularly stretched. Lubricate the “risk zones” before going to bed - this will help activate the activity of fibroblasts - cells that produce collagen and elastin.
• External support. Wear specially selected prenatal bandage. It will help reduce the load on the spine, abdominal muscles. But still, try not to abuse it, the muscles should work on their own. If you are at home, then wear it for about 2 hours with a two-hour break so that the abdominal muscles work on their own.

The firmer your skin is, the easier it will be to deal with stretch marks. A skin elasticity can be improved by the following methods :

• Cold and hot shower. It perfectly improves blood circulation and makes the skin more elastic. Here's how to properly carry out this procedure. At the beginning, the water should be at a comfortable temperature. After that, turn on the hottest water (but if you have never taken a contrast shower before, first try to soften the temperature contrast, alternate water at room and cold temperatures). After 30 seconds, we turn off the hot water and open the cold water - for 20-30 seconds. Then hot again. This should be repeated 3-5 times. We finish the procedure with a cold douche. An important point - a contrast shower should not be used if you have a threat of termination of pregnancy!
• Simple and effective remedy- massage, especially in combination with creams for stretch marks. Try, for example, pinching massage, in which the skin is easily compressed and pulled back. Perform massage in "risk zones" for 10 minutes. By the way, this is an excellent prevention of cellulite. For massage, you can also use not very hard brushes or horsehair mittens (dry or wet, during a bath or shower). Massage the skin in small circles, being careful not to press too hard. Massage is always carried out from the periphery to the center - from the limbs to the heart. If you use a finger massager, do not forget to lubricate the skin with a special cream or gel.

Skin problems during pregnancy are not fatal, but they make you pay serious attention to your diet and lifestyle. Listen to your body's signals!

Inessa Smyk

What features does the skin acquire during pregnancy and what changes in appearance can be expected in different dates pregnancy?

In the first trimester Pregnancy in the body of a woman increases the content of progesterone - a hormone that is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. In this regard, the relative content of female sex hormones of the estrogen series (estrogen) decreases. This can significantly affect the condition of the skin. Why? The fact is that with a normal content of estrogens in the body, the products of the sebaceous and sweat glands (located in top layer skin - epidermis), together with desquamated horny scales, form the so-called protective mantle on the surface of the skin (it protects the skin from drying out, penetration of pathogenic bacteria, etc.). But estrogen deficiency leads to insufficient formation of a protective mantle. (Among the many functions of estrogens is the regulation of the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands and the formation of horny scales.) As a result, the sensitivity of the skin to external stimuli increases: meteorological factors, bacteria, etc. This is especially pronounced in those areas where there are few sebaceous glands: the skin becomes dry, itching and inflammation appear. In addition, there is evidence that an increased content of progesterone provokes the development of the so-called autoimmune progesterone dermatitis - its external manifestations also come down to irritation, redness and peeling of the skin.

In the second trimester the baby is actively growing, respectively, substances are released that stimulate all kinds of growth, including formations on the skin (moles, warts). During this period, it is very important to be attentive to fast-growing moles, warts, age spots, especially if they suddenly changed their color. For any such changes, consult a dermatologist (preferably a dermatologist-oncologist). Remember that ultraviolet radiation promotes the development of neoplasms! Be sure to use sunscreen!

In the third trimester pigmentation often develops on the skin (on upper lip, in the corners of the forehead), due to changes in the immune system, the so-called "pregnancy herpes" appears - bubble rashes on the skin (in origin, not related to the herpes virus!). The vascular pattern of the skin becomes more contrasting, spider veins may appear. The weakening of the immune defense is associated with the development of fungal infections, the appearance of warts and genital warts (manifestations of viral infections), pustular rash.

Can negative changes be prevented or reduced?

Of course, you can not reduce the content of progesterone during pregnancy, but you can help the skin cope with dermatitis. First of all, diet. In the inflammation and immune response of the body, a substance called histamine plays one of the main roles. It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that provoke the release of histamine: coffee, chocolate, wine. On the contrary, foods containing pectin (for example, green apples) and foods rich in vegetable fiber help to cleanse the body and reduce the manifestations of dermatitis.

Cosmetics used during this period should make up for the insufficient functions of the protective mantle. To cleanse the skin, use non-alcoholic lotions, cosmetic milk; for facial skin care - emulsion, non-greasy, moisturizing creams, preferably without special active additives (such as "anti-wrinkle").

At the end of the second trimester, the likelihood of stretch marks and cellulite increases dramatically. Of course, the degree of skin elasticity is determined primarily by the genetic characteristics of a particular person: if your mother had stretch marks, it is likely that you will have them too. Means that change heredity are not yet at our disposal. The first stage of skin changes in cellulite is the retention of excess water in it, therefore, first of all, for the prevention of cellulite during pregnancy, edema and fluid retention in the body should be avoided. In addition, it is better to use cosmetics (creams, cream masks, gels), which include vitamin E (it helps to increase skin elasticity) and drugs that improve microcirculation (blood circulation in the smallest vessels - capillaries). Be careful! Some anti-cellulite products contain so-called phytoestrogens (substances obtained from plants that act similarly to the action of female sex hormones). The additional amount of estrogen is not always harmless during pregnancy, but whether it will harm your body can only be decided by the doctor observing you. In addition to special cosmetics, massage improves microcirculation, and massage using special anti-cellulite brushes and massagers is considered more effective. Such a massage can be done independently, following the instructions attached to the relevant product. However, the fight against cellulite is a topic for a separate discussion. (Hopefully we'll have a chance to talk about this in more detail!)

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the skin is especially in need of cleansing and protection. Use only soft detergents, with the appearance of an abscess rash - lotions and soaps containing antiseptics. It is desirable to create an acidic environment on the surface of the skin (for example, wipe the skin - and not only the face, but the whole body - with homemade lotion, consisting of the juice of one lemon, half a glass of water and half a glass of vodka). Still required to use sunscreen. You can make slightly whitening masks (from grated cucumber 1, zucchini). Naturally, continue to use anti-stretch marks and cellulite products.

And finally, throughout your pregnancy, take care of your health. Loss of substances necessary for the body (for example, due to toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy): vitamins, microelements, water; the increased need for these substances associated with the growth of the baby must be compensated by good nutrition, additional intake of vitamins (of which vitamins C, A and E are especially important for the skin).

Whether there is a standard set skin care products during pregnancy? Is it necessary to change the usual creams, soap and shampoo for some special ones suitable for pregnant women?

The skin of the expectant mother, as already mentioned, becomes more sensitive to external influences. Therefore, funds that indicate: “for sensitive skin". It is better that the shampoo is designed for dry and damaged hair, you can - for normal. From shampoo to oily hair it is better to refuse, since during this period the hair, deprived, like the skin, of a protective mantle, most often suffers from dryness.

How should makeup change during pregnancy? Is it safe to use mascara, powder, lipstick, etc.? Can hair be dyed? Use nail polish?

All cosmetic delights that you used before pregnancy are quite suitable during pregnancy - with the same reservations (say, hair coloring is not always harmless to your hair, but pregnancy as such does not impose any restrictions on this procedure). The only thing to consider: all types of cosmetics must have a hygienic certificate (all reputable stores require it from suppliers). The hygienic report must indicate that no components of this cosmetic product are not absorbed and do not have a systemic effect.