Pregnancy Proof Beauty

There are some things we know for sure about things we quiet simply should avoid during pregnancy.  Cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, caffeine in excess all fall onto that list.  Our doctors, our books are all very clear, while some may debate the quantity that is okay, when you really get down to it, the truth is quiet simply nobody knows for sure and the damaging amount is different from person to person, and so the best advice is quiet simply to stay clear of these things.  But what about our beauty regimes, our hair, skin, make-up.  The advice here is a lot less clear, very heated and way murkier.  Anything that has the potential to be absorbed into the blood stream may be able to cross the placenta and reach your baby.  Thus, if it’s absorbed into your blood stream you need to know more about it and make a choice whether you think it’s still a good idea to use it.

TEETH WHITENING while pregnant:

Peroxide is the potentially harmful ingredient in teeth whiteners.  While the quantity in which it is swallowed in adults is safe it is not known if these same quantities are safe for your developing baby.  Some say that teeth whitening tooth pastes are a safer bet but still there hasn’t been extensive research on the effects of using such toothpaste over extended periods of time while being pregnant.  In my opinion until we know more you should both and focus on brushing teeth thoroughly.  Plus you are hopefully not drinking sodas or coffee and so any key tooth staining culprits should be eliminated from your diet at least for the 40 weeks of pregnancy.

BODY BRONZING while pregnant:

Little is known about the effects of bronzers during pregnancy, however most would agree that using them instead of basking in the sun for hours a day is probably a lot safer.

Until we know more about the chemicals in sunscreen the best action is to limit your time in the sun, when in the sun where a hat as well as sunscreen and opt for sunscreens that are either chemical free or use those containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (hello early 90s highlighter skiing face paint!).  These chemicals sit on the skin and reflect the harmful rays as opposed to absorbing into the skin.  However, at the end of the day it’s better for your baby that you don’t burn so sunscreen is an important one not to skip.

Try my favorite sunscreen

NAIL POLISH AND HAIRSPRAY while pregnant:

Phthalates are the potentially harmful chemical found in hairspray and nail polish and has been linked to the risk of causing birth defects, however, the FDA does not think there is sufficient data to deem them a significant risk at this time.  Considering there are other options on the market I would advise using polishes that do not contain Phthalates, staying clear of nail parlors with lots of toxic fumes and switching to gels and mousses for a while.    If you must spray, make sure the room is well ventilated and don’t spend too much time in there.

Try my favorite polish

HAIR DYING during pregnant:

Surprisingly there has been very little studied about the connections between hair dying and pregnancy.  I say surprisingly because it is said almost as if doctrine that a pregnant woman should never die her hair.  The problem lies in the fact that the dye is painted onto the scalp and thus could be absorbed into the blood stream.  As I said there isn’t any research to really give an conclusions but to be safe you can avoid trips to the hair salon in the first trimester and when you do go back, stick to highlights which act on the hair and not the scalp.  Also, always be sure to tell your hair stylist so they can take special care of you and keep you in a well-ventilated area to avoid feeling nauseous.

ANTI WRINKLE CREAMS during pregnancy:

Alas we are having babies older these days, an there is nothing wrong with that, other than the fact that we may be more inclined to reach for the anti-wrinkle cream in pregnancy more than in generations of old!  The problem with anti-wrinkle creams is that many contain retinol which has been linked to birth defects.  As with all of these things there are no conclusive studies but it’s better to be safe than sorry.  The same goes for Botox.  There is no research but currently it is not recommended for pregnancy women due to the lack of knowledge that surrounds it.

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ACNE treatments during pregnancy:

This is one area there are some more conclusive studies out there and evidence for us to go on.  While acne can often become worse during pregnancy or in fact present for the first time due to hormone changes, we know that prescription acne medicines such as Accutane, Tetracycline’s and Retin-A are dangerous while you are pregnant.

Acne often gets worse during pregnancy because of hormone fluctuations. Talk to your doctor if you start breaking out. Prescription acne medicines, such as Accutane (isotretinoin), Retin-A (tretinoin), and tetracyclines are dangerous during pregnancy and can cause birth defects.  If suffering from acne while pregnant the best thing is to consult your OB-GYN and cross reference some of the suggestions your Dermatologist has made and decides what is safe.

Try this acne cleanser

In conclusion, we know very little.  So when people say with certainty that dying your hair during pregnancy is not a good idea, they simply aren’t informed because none of us are.  We don’t have enough information from which to draw conclusions and that is why I like to be safer than sorry.  Considering you are growing a human being inside you, when it comes to food, alcohol or even beauty, simply ask yourself this question: would you let your baby eat, drink, use this product? If the answer is yes then use it, if they answer is no then don’t.