February 27, 2008

As someone who is expecting, but trying all ways possible not to expect stretch marks, and as a devotee to skin care, I feel compelled to find out out what, if anything, works to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

A well-know common remedy is Cocoa Butter.  One popular brand is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, Massage Cream for Stretch Marks.  While Cocoa Butter is a terrific moisturizer and a great choice to hydrate the skin, pregnant or not, there does not seem to be any proven link between applying cocoa butter during pregnancy and preventing stretch marks. 

Stretch marks occur due to weight gain.  Specifically, the collagen and elastin …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:45 am    COMMENTS (3)
Category: Pregnancy
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January 7, 2008

There are many issues to contend with during pregnancy, one of the least in which you may want to worry about are changes to the skin.  Melasma, known as the “mask of pregnancy” (sounds so ominous!), are dark patches of skin that may appear on on the face in the second and third trimesters.  These splotchy-type patches range in color from a pale beige to a darker brown, and are caused by pregnancy hormones.  These hormones can trigger hyperpigmentation which causes patches of the skin to darken.

Sun exposure may worsen the hyperpigmentation so a good way to control it is to wear a proper sunscreen and avoid the sun.  Beauty Beat recommends using a sunscreen that contains Mexoryl, Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Helioplex, or Zinc Oxide.  Melasma may fade post-pregnancy but, once it appears, …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:17 am    COMMENTS (1)
Category: Pregnancy
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