Sun Protection During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, skin care must be multiplied because it increases its sensitivity.

It’s already summer and you’re excited to show your belly at the beach or pool, right? It is the best time to show your pregnancy. However, you should be careful about exposing yourself to the sun too much at this stage, as not having good sun protection during pregnancy can cause significant consequences.

During pregnancy the skin becomes more sensitive. It is common for there to be hyperpigmentation or increased melanin present in the skin. Therefore, details such as spots, moles or scars that perhaps went unnoticed at another time, will now be more noticeable.

Melanin, the natural pigment of the skin, is produced in greater quantity during the pregnancy period. Until now, an exact cause for this overproduction of pigment in the skin is not known. A higher amount of melanin will make you more prone to skin blemishes, or the well-known “pregnancy mask.”

Spots and marks on the skin

The skin of the pregnant woman, especially in the tummy area, is exposed to changes. The increase in melanin causes the color of moles, spots and scars to darken. The color of the line that crosses the belly from the navel to the pubis also darkens.

The areas of the nipples, armpits and neck folds in the same way become darker. And, although it is a manifestation that should disappear after childbirth, sun protection during pregnancy can help it not remain after it.

At this stage, the spots that appear on the face after prolonged sun exposure will be more noticeable. In addition, it is not only about protecting the skin for aesthetics. Heatstroke, in addition to causing injuries and burns, can cause dizziness and fever, situations that the pregnant woman should avoid.

It is also important to protect the belly area and breasts during the pregnancy period, as these tend to drastically increase in size. The latter causes the appearance of marks and stretch marks. This possibility is minimized if the skin is moisturized and protected, so it can stretch without breaking.

The skin after tanning can become dry and lose flexibility, which increases the chances of marks. In addition, if stretch marks cannot be avoided, if they are not exposed to the sun, they will not be lighter or darker than the mother’s skin and can be better concealed.

Sunscreen during pregnancy

There are two types of UV rays that we must protect ourselves from when exposing ourselves to the sun. UVAs, which tan but are potentially dangerous, since they reach the deepest part of the skin. And UVBs, which penetrate the skin less but cause burns. In this case, sun protection during pregnancy must respond to both radiations to run less risk.

The sun protection factor (SPF or SPF) determines how strong the skin’s defense is against UVB rays, but not against UVA. For this reason, when choosing a sunscreen, it is important to check that it has a broad spectrum of protection for both types of ultraviolet rays.

Although the use of sunscreen is recommended throughout the year, pregnant women should take special precautions when exposing themselves to the sun, such as:

• Use sunscreens of more than 30 SPF authorized by the treating doctor.
• Verify that the sunscreen is broad spectrum.
• Choose a sunscreen that is resistant to water and sweat.
• Protect yourself with hats and glasses.
• Try to stay as long as possible in the shade.
• Avoid long exposures to the sun, both to protect the skin and to avoid dizziness and fainting.
• Do not expose yourself to the sun during noon.
• Apply sunscreen every hour or after bathing in the beach or pool.

Although we often take the protection and health of our skin for granted, we must give it the importance it deserves. Exposing ourselves to the sun indiscriminately causes aging, wrinkles, blemishes, burns, and even cancer.

It is also recommended to include the use of sunscreen throughout the year, not just in the summer. At all times we must take care of the sun’s rays and the consequences that overexposure to them can bring us.

With these recommendations you can have a beautiful and healthy tan that increases your shine as a pregnant woman and spend a summer that will surely be unforgettable. In addition, thanks to sun protection during pregnancy, your skin will not be left with spots that are so difficult to attenuate or eliminate.