Whoever said pregnancy makes your skin glow and your hair shine, hasn’t been a witness to the stretch marks, the tired lines, the saggy eye bags, the frizzy hair, the dropping clumps of strands…immediately after the delivery. As if all the skin and hair problems were simply waiting for you to deliver and get you on a boxing match with time – which refuses to stretch beyond its set 24 hours.
Thankfully, these are temporary issues that will go away with some care and attention. All you need is time and some tips to ensure that you are on the right track with your skin and hair care regime.
First some basic guidelines:
- Use a mild cleanser to clean your face twice a day
- Moisturise your skin twice a day
- Exfoliate your skin once every week
- Eat healthy foods; ensure that your foods contain antioxidants that help to strengthen the roots of your hair
- Drink enough water
- Use a gentle anti-hair loss shampoo with conditioner
- In consultation with your doctor, take vitamin supplements – Vitamin B and C will help you maintain fuller hair
- Avoid or delay going to the salon for hair colouring or straightening/perming during this time, as it could lead to further hair loss
- Begin your workout sessions after getting a go signal from your doctor
- Get enough sleep – if possible go to sleep with the baby
- And, most importantly, stay stress-free and don’t hesitate to ask for help from family to ensure you get your ‘me’ time
Common Skin Problems:
Acne: Often, hormonal changes taking place in your body, more so during and after birth, can lead to acne or cause rashes on the face. This will, of course, go away with time and some care. Use a soft face brush to cleanse your skin and rely on anti-acne products. Make sure that your moisturiser is lightweight and oil-free and use mild scrub with soft granules to exfoliate.
Dark circles and under-eye bags: With sleep becoming a premium commodity post-delivery, those dark circles might seem inevitable and so also those sacks under the eyes. While cosmetics will help you get rid of these signs, little changes in your habits could also work wonders. Use a thicker pillow and ensure that you minimize your fluid intake before you go to sleep. Place cucumber or potato slices on your eyes to find instant relief.
Pigmentation: One of the common skin woes are the spots that are brought on by the raging hormones. Although they may seem to have made home for good, they will lighten and disappear after a year or so if you ensure that you are not doing anything to aggravate them. Use sunscreen daily and opt for a moisturiser that is specific to your skin and targeted towards pigmentation.
Dull complexion: Blame it on lack of sleep or a lack of care; the complexion is one issue that you will have to contend with after birth. Remember to drink enough water, moisturise your skin twice a day and exfoliate once a week.
Stretch marks: Another inevitability of pregnancy is the stretch marks around the body. It is advisable to tend to them during the pregnancy itself with an anti-stretch mark cream or even olive oil. Follow it through post-pregnancy and complement it with a healthy diet and some workout.