As your baby belly grows, so does the list of things that are (supposedly) harmful to you and baby: pedicures, warm baths, and certain foods are just a few. If you aren’t sure how a relaxing pedicure after a long, exhausting day could be harmful, you are not alone. Before you bust out the plastic bubble to live in until you are ready to have a baby, you will want to review the list we made with our friend, science: pedicure while pregnant
Is it safe to get pedicures while pregnant?
According to some, manicures and pedicures are bad for baby. However, a little research proves other wise. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists products containing acetone, ethyl meth-acrylate, and toluene as potentially harmful. Some nail polish brands used to contain these chemicals, which would explain why your mother may frown if you tell her you are running out for a Pedi. However, most modern nail polish brands do not contain the harmful chemicals. If you are unsure, just peruse the back of the bottle for the chemicals listed above.
Is your perfume causing harm to the baby?
While getting your nails done can be more beneficial than not, it is worth mentioning that the fumes from the nail salon may be upsetting. Most pregnant women have a heightened sense of smell, which means you may be more sensitive to the fumes from nail polish than nom1al. If this is the case, it may be best to hold off on entering the salon.
Are self-tanning lotions safe?
If you hesitated to use a self-tanning lotion or bronzer, you should not have worried. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only limit the main chemical in self-tanners, DHA, to external use. Avoid your eyes, lips, nose, and breasts (if breastfeeding), and you will be fine. It is important to note that since no studies have decided either way about self-tanner, your doctor will likely tell you to err on the side of caution and forego the tanned skin for nine months.
Another common concern is perfume or fragranc es- you do not want to harm your baby, but you do not want to smell bad, either. The good news is that perfumes or scented lotions are not harmful to you or your baby at all. The bad news is that it may upset your already nauseous stomach, especially in the first trimester. To limit the possibility of upset ting your sensitive stomach, you may opt for scented shampoos, lotions, or body mists instead of your usual spray. Natural perfumes that contain oil-based scents are also another option.
Can you safely treat your acne while pregnant? If you think your acne has to be left untreated while you are pregnant, you may be wrong. The FDA recommends over-the-counter creams and washes with less than five percent benzoyl peroxide or two percent of salicylic acid. For prescription medications, you will want to double-check with your dermatologist. Acne solutions that contain Accutane, tetracycline and/or retinoid may be harmful to fetuses, so be sure to read the ingredient list and ask your doctor if you have any questions. For body washes or soaps, you will want to make sure they are free of any parabens, phthalates and/or sulfates, which could be damaging to your skin.
Is your makeup affecting your pregnancy?
A lesser-known evil could potentially be hiding within your make-up. Skin creams that are imported have a higher risk of being contaminated with mercury, and most lipsticks contain small amounts of lead. With the plethora of ingredients in mascara, it is advised not to use the same tube for more than three months-or risk a bacterial infection. When it comes to make-up during pregnancy, it may be safest to go for the “minimalist’’ or “natural” look. If you have questions about the ingredients in the foundation, you hate to go without, just talk to your doctor or dermatologist.
To dye or not to dye, that is the question.
You cannot dye your hair – or can you? The concern used to be that chemicals from the dye would be absorbed by your scalp, which may in tum affect your fetus.
However, no studies done have supported that theory, meaning your doctor will tell you to go ahead and relax during your salon visit. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of hair dye but hate to not look your best, test out other methods such as temporary dye or the ombre trend-that don’t sit on your scalp.
What is the best way to get rid of stretch marks? If you are attempting to get rid of stretch marks, you may want to talk to your doctor, first. Cocoa butter, long thought to help with preventing stretch marks, has never actually been proven to work. On top of that, it can even cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. Other methods, like vitamin E capsules or creams, have not been proven to work through scientific study, either. Stretch marks are deep levels of damage to the skin, which most lotions, creams, or oils will not be able to reverse. Instead of abandoning all hope, talk to us about Venus treatments. By combining radio frequency and magnetic pulses, Venus treatments work to repair your skin safely.
If there is a common concern about your beauty routine we may have missed, let us know! Creating a baby is a beautiful thing, and it should not make you feel ugly. Contact us for more information on pregnancy myths or Venus treatments!
