Healthy Living

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking and Feeling Good

For some women feeling and looking beautiful during pregnancy can be difficult due to hormonal changes and changes to the body. On the other hand, pregnancy is a time when many women take extra special care of themselves by eating healthier and resting more. What follows is information on beauty practices and products that pregnant women should know about.   


Dying Hair

Before you dye or highlight your hair while you are pregnant you should discuss it with your doctor. There is very little research about the effects of hair dying on pregnant women. What we do know is that hair dye is absorbed through the scalp and into the body. This is known because some of the dye shows up in women’s urine so some doctors recommend that hair dying be avoided during all 3 trimesters of pregnancy. Using permanent dyes during the first trimester when your baby is undergoing important neurological (brain) developments is considered especially risky. If you feel you must colour your hair, don’t do it until the second or third trimester. The bottom line is, ask your doctor about hair dying before you decide whether to do it or not.


Tips for minimizing the risks of using hair colour during pregnancy

  • Try highlights instead of colouring your whole head.  Highlighting your hair involves applying the chemicals one-half to one-inch from your roots so they don't ever touch your scalp. So, they can't get into your blood stream - which is safe for you and baby. You can also easily allow 8 weeks or more between appointments minimizing your salon exposure.
  • Use a semi-permanent dye, containing low or no ammonia, and low or no peroxide. These generally contain fewer harmful chemicals, and work well to blend the different colours of your hair. This will make roots appear less obvious.
  • Try colour enhancing shampoos that are suppose to make the colour you already have last longer.
  • Try hair mascara (tubes filled with temporary colour and a thick mascara-like wand). Because hair mascara only coats the outside layer of your hair it doesn’t get anywhere near your scalp so it’s very safe to use. The wands are also faster, easier and safer than spray on temporary colour because there are no fumes to inhale. This stuff works great to touch up roots.

Click here for more information on Hair Dying Safety During Pregnancy.  
 
Tanning during pregnancy

It is well known that tanning, or exposure to ultra-violet light can cause melanoma (skin cancer) and pre-mature aging (wrinkles). People at higher risk for developing skin cancer are those under 18 years of age, people with family histories of skin cancer, people with fair skin, freckles and moles, and people taking medications that increase their sensitivity to UV rays. These are the rays that are in tanning beds and from the sun. Pregnancy can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun and your body more sensitive to heat, so it’s important to be careful when you’re at the beach or at the tanning salon.


Tanning Beds

There is no current research showing that tanning in a tanning bed is directly harmful for your baby. However, this doesn’t mean that babies can’t be indirectly affected by their mothers’ use of tanning beds. Make sure you talk to your doctor before you decide to start using a tanning bed.


Risks of exposure to UV Rays and heat during pregnancy

  • Most healthcare providers advise against any activity that might raise your body temperature, such as saunas or tanning beds. Overheating in pregnant women is associated with spinal malformations in babies.
  • Some studies link UV rays and folic acid deficiency. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects, such as spinal bifida, and is especially important in the first trimester.
  • During pregnancy, your skin is more susceptible to burning and chloasma, the dark splotches that appear on the face during pregnancy.

Safety Tips

  • Apply and re-apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. One application doesn’t protect you all day or after you’ve been in water. If you feel dizzy, nauseated or tired go to an air conditioned area.
  • Stay cool and burn free by limiting your time in the sun and heat.
  • Drink lots of water, stay in the shade and/or wear a hat.

For more information about tanning beds and tanning while pregnant visit the following websites:

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,,3172_273107__langId-en,00.html
Skin Cancer Foundation
http://www.skincancer.org/artificial/index.php
American Pregnancy Association
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/tanningmethods.html


Skin Care

During pregnancy stretch marks can show up as red lines on your skin. Lotion can help keep your skin feeling moist and may help reduce the itchiness of dry skin. Stretch marks can't really be prevented but they do often fade after giving birth. Other skin changes may include darkening of the skin on your face, around your nipples, and below your belly button. Staying out of the sun or using a sunscreen may help lessen these marks. Talk to your doctor about what creams or lotions are safe and might be helpful to use on your skin.


Tips for keeping skin healthy while pregnant

  • Moisturize daily
  • Drink lots of water
  • Take your prenatal vitamin
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Avoid unnecessary stress

Products to avoid during pregnancy

Some skin care products and cosmetics have chemicals that should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are not sure about the safety of a skin care product ask your doctor about it.

  • Any anti-wrinkle or anti-aging products with retinoids in the ingredients. Some common retinoids include: Differin (adapelene), Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin), Retinoic acid, Retinol, Retinyl, linoleate, Retinyl palmitate, Tazorac and avage (Tazarotene).
  • Any acne fighting products containing Salicylic acid. Avoid products with these ingredients on the label: Salicylic acid, Beta hydroxy acid, BHA.

For more information on skin care, cosmetics and products to avoid during pregnancy visit the following websites:

Parents Canada.com
http://www.parentscanada.com/developing/pregnancy/articles.aspx?listingid=53

Baby Center.com
http://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during
pregnancy_1490031.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%403903fd5c

 

 

Sources:

Canadian Mother Resource: Dying for a Change: Hair Coloring & Pregnancy: What you need to know. http://www.thecmr.com/pregnancy/dying_for_a_change_hair_coloring_and_pregnancy
,_what_you_need_to_know-193.htm
American Pregnancy Association: What’s a Sun Goddess to do During Pregnancy: Pregnancy & Tanning. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/tanningmethods.html
The College of Family Physicians of Canada: During Pregnancy - Taking care of you and your baby.
http://www.cfpc.ca/English/cfpc/programs/patient%20education/during%20pregnancy/default.asp?s=1
ParentsCanada.com: Prenatal Skin Care.
http://www.parentscanada.com/developing/pregnancy/articles.aspx?listingid=53
Babycenter.com: Safe skin care during pregnancy.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during-
pregnancy_1490031.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%403903fd5c