Pregnancy brings on a lot of physical changes. It’s different for most pregnant women and some do not share the same experiences and this is because being pregnant interacts with everyone’s body chemistry differently. Sometimes the hormones released will cause some skin problems. Due to your hormones, they will introduce you to a skin condition called melasma.
The world told you about pregnancy glow and now that you’re pregnant you now see it is all lie. You are not radiating, instead, your pregnancy hormones decided to give you breakouts and skin discoloration. And melasma is just another skin problem you wish would just go away.
What is melasma?
During your pregnancy, your body is flooded with raging hormones, particularly estrogen which causes hyperpigmentation. Melasma or pregnancy mask is caused by Melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH), which are created by the pituitary, hypothalamus, and intense UV light exposure. Because of this, your skin produces a protective pigment, called melanin, to protect your skin cells from damage.Â
Unfortunately, the hyperpigmentation leaves you with major skin discoloration on the face. Another major factor in pregnancy mask is a hormone imbalance. In case you already had a hormone imbalance before the pregnancy, the extra surge of hormones are not helping.
Tips & tricks in getting rid of pregnancy mask
Of course, because of this discoloration, you will feel insecure about your looks. Don’t worry the pregnancy mask is only temporary and will go away after the pregnancy. However, it is hard to spend the next few months with hyperpigmentation. Constantly questioning when you are going to get that radiant glow. Well, there’s no glow coming your way not unless you make it yourself.Â
So, here are some tips and tricks on getting rid of pregnancy mask and truly give you the glowing skin you deserve.
1. Have a healthy and nutritious diet.
Just like with most skin conditions, it is best to start with the inside out with a healthy and balanced diet. Your body needs the proper nutritious diet to nourish you and your baby as well as produce the right hormones to help ease the pregnancy. You will need a lot of grass-fed and pastured animals, a healthy amount of eggs, organic vegetables, and fruits. It is best to start cooking your food with healthy fats such as coconut oil, pastured butter, and avocado.
Because our bodies need saturated and monounsaturated fats for all-day energy as well as produce the right balance of hormones our body needs. It is best to avoid refined sugar and limit a large number of natural sugars in getting rid of the pregnancy mask. But in case you are seriously craving some chocolate, then opt for delicious dark chocolate as a healthier alternative.
2. Balance your omega intakes.
With the surge of hormones causing major skin problems during your pregnancy, you do not want to have an imbalance of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. This will only cause more breakouts and make getting rid of pregnancy mask a lot harder.Â
It is best to have a moderate amount of polyunsaturated vegetable oils like canola, which have high levels of omega 6 fatty acids. These kinds of oils are mostly used in restaurants and when you buy pre-cooked packaged food.
So, the best solution to balance out your omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids is by basically eating out less. Opt for home-cooked meals and use cooking as a time to relax or spend some time with your partner. Use healthy omega 3 fats like pastured butter, olive oil and coconut oil in some of your favorite recipes as well or find some online which calls for these kinds of healthy fats.
Add some safe seafood and fish in your diet at least twice a week. But if you cannot eat fish then you can take a supplement with raw cod liver oil.
3. Avoid any contact with toxins which might worsen your pigmentation.
In getting rid of a pregnancy mask, you will need to avoid cleaning the bathroom for a while. Because cleaning supplies and pesticides have dangerous toxins that can mimic hormones in the body which can cause your body to stop producing hormones on its own.Â
Other everyday items with toxins include some beauty products, furniture, and even plastic. Okay, you cannot avoid your furniture or plastic, but you can find alternatives that do not have any dangerous toxins in their ingredients list. You can swap your cleaning products for homemade products or natural brands without endocrine disruptors.
You can also avoid using plastic by investing in eco-friendly bags and using glass storage containers for food instead of plastic Tupperware.
4. Get enough sleep.
It is very important for both you and your developing baby to get enough rest. Although, this might be tough for some women because each pregnancy comes with its own set of unique and uncomfortable symptoms. It can include physical pain or simply having insomnia due to anxiety. However, it is essential in getting rid of pregnancy masks to have the right amount of sleep.Â
Because when you sleep, your hormones have time to rebalance and do proper maintenance your body needs to function. A great trick is to be in bed by 10 p.m and avoid using your phone two hours before your intended sleeping time. Because the blue light from your phone can cause you to toss and turn all night long scrolling through Facebook until you can fall asleep. But if you are experiencing insomnia during your pregnancy, it is best to consult with your doctor.
5. Use sunscreen to protect your skin.
Another cause for your pregnancy mask is the harsh UV rays of the sun. It is best to use skin products and sunscreen with SPF50 to truly protect your skin from further damage. This can help minimize the discoloration and pigmentation if not fully getting rid of the pregnancy mask.
Don’t worry mama all will be fine
Sure the hyperpigmentation of the skin can be annoying to look at but it doesn’t mean it will last forever. Once the baby is born, your skin will heal itself and it will be back to its healthy glowing self in no time!
Read also:
- Managing Dry Cough During Pregnancy
- Infections And Pregnancy: Watch Out For Complication
- Pregnancy and Chemical Peeling: Everything You Need to Know