Pregnant and problematic with skin

Monday, March 19, 2012

I am pregnant with my first child. the problem is I have a host of skin problems that are definitely killing me. My acne got worse, my face got dark and my armpits seemed to go into competition of who’s the darker one. I also have this black line in my stomach – running from my belly button down. I almost wouldn’t want anymore to see myself in the mirror or go out. I feel so conscious. I am not like this. I have to say, I used to be the fairer one. But, now, things seemed to go upside down – as if the world just turned around 360 degrees.

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What shall I do? please help me. I’m almost desperate of my situation. Thanks for this favor.

I understand your agony. But, don’t fret. This is not the end of the world – yet. There are still a lot of things that you can do – to get that pretty face back.

You do really have a lot of skin issues here. But, let’s just discuss them one by one.

First, we’ll deal with your acne problems. when you are pregnant, you get hormone imbalance. This usually would happen in the first three months of your pregnancy. Though, there aren’t a lot of proofs to show that retinoids are harmful to the skin – when you are expecting, please just avoid any products that has retinoids or salicylic acid in it — in these crucial times.

You can however, try some other safe topical antibiotics – like erythromycin or other products which has alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). These are thought to be safe.

Next stop…dark face! I think what you have is melasma, which is also known as the “mask of pregnancy”. This would usually get into action during the next three months or from the fourth to the sixth month of pregnancy. This is again because of your hormone activity, which makes your skin become so sensitive to the sun. This is the reason why your skin easily gets that dark tint you despise. But, black is beautiful..isn’t it? hehe…joke, joke, joke…

So, your recipe for success – is to avoid the sun at all cost, and make your sunblock keep you on your toes. the next time, you get out there, don’t forget your sunblock and your hat. make sure, it’s wide-rimmed.

Don’t worry, dear Holy Molly, after you’ll give birth, those darkness that makes your world dim right now will just fade away – to give you a brighter face and tomorrow.

Now, let’s get to your armpits. again, blame it to your erratic hormones this time. But, then again, this will just go away – after birth. However, at this time, you can help it by gentle scrubbing of the area to exfoliate it mildly – and give you a fresher, brighter skin below.

Of course, you still have that black line traversing your belly. This is linea negra. Blame it again to your raging hormones. But, then, just as that of those dark areas in your body right now, they will just fade away, after you pop. again, you can help the situation by gently scrubbing the area.

Just remember, you are right now in a very wonderful journey, towards giving someone a chance to live life. no matter how disturbed you maybe, with your looks right now, but, this should not deter you to face life beautifully each day. Time passes by, so quickly, and by the next time – you see yourself in the mirror, you’ll forget all these ugliness and bitterness.

(For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar Davao, Granland Building, R. Castillo St., Davao City or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com.)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 20, 2012.

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