Pregnancy is a very special time in a woman's life.
I'm afraid, approximately by month 6, an average pregnant woman is just about ready to explode if someone says it to her again.
Pregnant women have to give up certain things. Many believe this includes beauty treatments, such as manicures, hair color, and facials. In reality, though, pregnant women have very few limitations when it comes to skin care products.
What Should You Avoid During Pregnancy and Why?
- The first limitations are machine treatments (high-intensity or energy-assisted methods). Don't plan laser resurfacing, RF liftings, and, of course, cryolipolysis during pregnancy. Aesthetic surgery will have to wait as well, to no one's surprise, I hope.
- Systemic topical retinoids, particularly Roaccutane, used in acne-prone skin treatment are strictly forbidden during pregnancy. Dermatologists always warn women about this and advise not to plan pregnancy for the whole duration of therapy, when issuing a prescription, so this is just a reminder.
- Retinol-based acne treatments are also not recommended. There is no definitive proof of its ill effects yet, but no proof of the opposite as well. The consensus is that there is an existing risk, however minor, to harm the embryo. Better be on the safe side!
- Whitening and brightening solutions with hydroquinone won't harm the baby. However, during pregnancy, your skin can become extra sensitive, and the risk of adverse effects and complications increases significantly.
- Salicylic acid is a no no for use during pregnancy either, not only for the same reason but also because of its potential toxicity. Sometimes, salicylic acid is found in body care solutions, so pay attention to those as well. If you find it among the ingredients of your body cream, it is better to put it away for later.
- The cosmetic use of Glycolic acid is still being debated. Some dermatologists think that it shouldn't be applied during pregnancy. However, no one says you should avoid all AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). Citric, kojic, and lactic acids, for example, are safe.
- Hexylresorcinol as well as resorcinol are used in skincare as skin lightening and antioxidant ingredients. Hexylresorcinol is seen as a safer version of resorcinol, but both of them are unsafe to use during a pregnancy or breastfeeding period because of its potential systemic effect which can be harmful for an embryo.
- Essential oils are another large group of ingredients to be treated with caution as a part of your pregnancy skincare routine. Yes, they are natural. No, that does not necessarily mean they are safe. The agents they contain have small molecular weight and high volatility, so they may affect your body as a whole. Many oils increase the skin's sensitivity to UV, and you really don't need that during pregnancy as the risk of dark spots and pigmentation is high as it is. Better stay clear of essential oils at this time, except special solutions for skin care during pregnancy. You can use these if you tolerate the fragrance well, as they don't contain potentially harmful oils.
What about Beauty Injections?
The age at which the first wrinkles appear can vary: some people get them at 30–32, others as late as 40–45. The quality of skincare products and thorough sun protection usually give quite an edge here.
However, women's life priorities have drastically changed in recent decades, and now the age of first wrinkles is also the age of first kids. Many, if not the majority of European women, plan their pregnancy and have children after the age of 30.
This paradox leaves us with a certain predicament: during pregnancy and lactation, all kinds of injection therapy aren't recommended. Furthermore, many doctors advise giving up the injections at the pregnancy planning stage so that a woman doesn't end up receiving treatment when she is already pregnant but doesn't know about it yet.
This means that an average woman who has two children between 30 and 40 can't have any injections for 2–3 years (if we factor in the average duration of the lactation period).
It looks like, for many women, this is one of the unpleasant surprises of pregnancy: on top of the understandable and expected limitations in their social life and diet, there is an enforced necessity to tolerate their wrinkles for quite a long time. This is what a healthcare provider tells their pregnant clients at the clinics — this is your happy time, and all you need to do is embrace it and be less critical of your reflection in the mirror.
Alas, not all women are capable of such a meek philosophy. Many of them have already gotten used to the idea of a relatively easy preservation of youthful looks, and it's not very easy to give it up—especially during pregnancy when undesirable skin change, stretch marks, and general appearance transformations may be quite noticeable.
Peptides: Innovative and Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Ingredients
Fortunately, we now have alternative methods of wrinkle correction with anti-aging benefits that do not require injections and are, therefore, safe to use during pregnancy and lactation. Many medical practitioners are skeptical about the so-called "Botox results without the injections," quite understandably so.
Why Do Most Products Have no Effect?
The market recently has been flooded with numerous creams, serums, and other cosmetic products and topical treatments, claiming Botox-like effects but making no difference whatsoever. Video advertising and Photoshopped illustrations are only making people doubt the promises to "rid them of wrinkles without injections" even more.
So why don't most skin care products of such type work? There are several reasons from a board certified dermatologist:
- The dose of substances that could theoretically reduce wrinkles is insufficient in many of them.
- Often, they are applied incorrectly or in combination with other brands' solutions that neutralize or deactivate them.
- The customer is expecting an immediate effect in the first few days of use, and when the effect is not very pronounced right away, they just stop using the solution with these skin care ingredients.
What substances can really reduce the mimic wrinkles, most commonly appearing on the upper third of the face (forehead, brow and eye area)? Today it is neuromodulatory peptides.
How Do Peptides Work?
Peptides used in cosmetology are small protein molecules able to penetrate the skin's protective barrier. Peptides can have a wide range of effects on the skin structures:
- The neuromodulatory ones block the impulse transmission from the nerve fiber to the muscle.
- Botulinum toxin works in the same general way: it blocks the transfer of the signal toward a facial muscle, stopping it from contracting and making the wrinkles disappear.
A question that's often raised is — how do peptides get into the muscle? Indeed, the muscles are located rather deep under the skin, and it is hard to imagine that any cream ingredients applied topically to the skin surface can reach that far.
It is, however, entirely possible — in the points where mimic muscles are attached to the skin, their fibers are intertwined with the skin throughout all of its layers up to the surface. So, if a solution is applied precisely to the spot where the mimic muscle is intertwined with the skin, the paralyzing ingredients can take effect.
How can one find these spots?
Luckily, it is fairly easy — the wrinkles are lines connecting the spots of muscles' attachment to the skin. So, if the solution is applied right onto the wrinkles, it will be exactly where it needs to be. There is no use, however, in applying it around the general wrinkles area — the solution won't reach the muscles then and most likely won't work at all.
Finding the Right Pregnancy-Safe Skincare with Peptides
How can one identify the right peptides? The neuromodulatory or "skin paralyzing" peptides are the following:
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8;
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (Argirelyne);
- Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-3, Vialox);
- Syn-Ake (Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate);
- SNAP-8 (Acetyl Octapeptide-8 or -3) and a few others.
For the peptides to be able to penetrate into the skin, they need to be well prepared—exfoliated at least once a week with a quality peeling solution, preferably one without AHA-acids (alpha hydroxy acid) as peptides are pH sensitive. Before applying peptides, the skin should be cleansed thoroughly with an appropriate gentle cleanser that does not irritate, dry up, or tighten the skin — dry skin can be an obstacle to the penetration of peptides.
When Will I See the Results?
Unlike the result of injections, the effect of peptides accumulates gradually: studies show that they should be applied onto the skin twice a day for at least 4–5 weeks for a visible and palpable effect.
There are also professional procedures performed by skin practitioners. The effect of those will be noticeable immediately, but usually, it is recommended to undergo 5 procedures in 4 to 5 weeks for the wrinkles to smooth out and the serene face effect to become permanent.
Peptides as Pregnancy Skincare
The safety of peptide cosmetics during pregnancy and lactation is reliably proven. Unlike the injections, peptides in a cosmetic solution cannot, even in theory, affect the whole body or lead to any complications.
In most cases, when the wrinkles can be characterized as shallow or moderately surfaced, their correction with topical peptide solutions can achieve results comparable to those of the injections.
Naturally, when the wrinkles have already become deep, and the skin aging is quite visible, non-invasive correction may prove insufficient, but it is very rare in women under 40–45.
Generally, it can be asserted that peptide cosmetics are the first choice solutions for wrinkle correction during pregnancy and lactation. They are fairly effective when applied properly and completely safe during pregnancy, an essential combination for both professionals and patients.
The Rules of Peptide Solutions Use During Pregnancy
- Before applying the peptide wrinkle-correcting solution, wash the skin with a gentle cleanser, careful not to degrease it or tighten the skin.
- Apply the peptide correcting solution precisely along the wrinkles. You can use a cotton stick and rub the solution with it right into the lines.
- Finalize your routine with moisturizer, and don't forget about sunscreen as well as sun-protective clothing during the daytime.
- Use the peptide solution twice a day for at least 4–5 weeks.
- Never apply the peptide solution on your eyelids!
- Do not use peptide solutions together with any cosmetics containing alcohol, acids, topical retinoids, and retinol (vitamin A, Retin A) derivatives.
If you’re doing it right, this is what peptide wrinkle correction should feel like:
- In a few days after the beginning of the course, you may feel a slight difficulty in your habitual facial expression.
- In 1–2 weeks, you may experience a mild heavy sensation in the forehead and brow area.
- In 3–4 weeks this may be followed by a slight feeling of cold in the application areas.
Pregnancy is a trying but also a great time. You don't need to panic and stop using your deodorant because it contains aluminum or your day cream because of scary parabens (but going for natural microbiome-friendly solutions is still a good idea!).
There is not much point to going all organic either. Sure, some things will have to wait, but not as many as you'd think.
Meder Pregnancy Skincare
The safety of all Meder products for pregnant women is our core value. As I always say, If it is not safe enough to be applied to the skin during a pregnancy, we should not apply it to our skin at all.
Meder skincare doesn't contain any potentially harmful ingredients for pregnant women and can be used by women at any period of their life. Safety doesn't mean "less efficient", and we can do both with a new generation of ingredients, such as peptides, pre-and probiotics, bio-fermented and skin-identical ingredients, growth factors, and plant stem cells.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women experience various skin changes caused by hormonal fluctuations (also called pregnancy hormones). Part of it can be very beneficial for the skin as a "pregnancy glow" or significant improvement of hair health in the second and third trimesters.
We should thank for it an increased level of estrogens. These female steroid hormones help to keep skin soft and moisturized, boost collagen synthesis, improve skin resilience, fasten hair growth, and make skin, nails, and hair stronger. However, the same hormonal changes make skin more sensitive to ultraviolet damage and establish a higher risk of pigmentation, which could trigger redness and sensitivity or skin inflammation.
