You must have seen that most of the pregnant women get the advice on what things they need to avoid and what precautions they must follow during the pregnancy period. However, it is a very rare case, where people advise on things that they should avoid while putting on their bodies. There are some beauty products which pregnant women should avoid as it poses some risk. According to some studies, women who have used different beauty products which had the chemicals, harmed the fetus. Here is the list of things which are usually not advised to a woman to use when she is pregnant.
1. Sun block
In market you will find two types of sun block. One comes with physical protection and other comes with chemical protection.Although the chemicals present in sunscreen donât affect the baby directly or are poisonous by any way, but it is always better to avoid them as you donât know when they will react. Look for the sun block that doesnât get absorbed in the skin.The main idea of avoiding such kind of product is to minimize the exposure of heavy chemicals.
Alternative: You can purchase the products which contain zinc ortitanium oxide.
2. Nail Cares
If you go to parlor for manicure or pedicure it can be quite risky for the baby. There can be some health problem that your baby can experience in future.Chances of developmental issues, birth defects and still births are high. It is because the products which are used to make nail clean include toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde which can be toxic for the baby. Some of the nail care products are not even tested. This increases the chances of reproductive toxicity. Hence it is advisable for you to avoid taking care of nails till the child birth.
Alternative:If you think that you badly need to manicure or pedicure your nails, then you can do that but without using any kind of chemicals. You have to make sure that you go to the well known salon where they mostly use products which donât have toxic chemicals.
3. Hair Treatments
There are not so close relation of hair dying and birth defects. But most of the health care expertâs advice not to go for hair care treatment especially coloring, dying or long term straightening as it includes the chemical which your scalp can easily absorb. Hence it is always better to avoid the fumes related to them. Some research has also explained that one reason of cancer or some skin health issue is hair dying. Hence try to avoid it as much as possible.
Alternative: usually highlights or hair painting donât touch the scalp, hence there are least chances of any birth defects risk. You can use henna which is a natural dye that does not include any risk and is completely safe to use.
4. Anti-aging Moisturizes
In anti aging moisturizers there are many powerful substances which help to minimize the wrinkles and improve tone of skin. The substance is called Retinoid which is the type of vitamin A that accelerates celldivision and protects skin collagen from breaking down
However such anti aging products are not advised to the mothers as it can be harmful for the unborn baby. If you take oral retinoid, like isotretinoin then chances of birth defects are more. The chance of miscarriage also increases, if oral treatment containing such substance is taken.
Alternative: Go for the tropical antibiotics like metronidazole, over-the-counter/non-prescriptionproducts, clindamycin that have azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxylacids are good.
5. Luxury Bath Products
According to research made it has been found out that cheap shower product contains safer ingredients as compared to the luxurious shower bath products. The costly shower products can result in some allergies and have the substances that increase the chances of cancer.
Alternative: Get the products which are specially made for babies or infants.
6. Salicylic Acid
Another oral form like retinoid is salicylic acid (SA) which iftaken in large doses can result in birth defects. Usually some lotions includethis substance which is hence advisable to avoid.
Alternative: You can choose natural and homemade astringent
7. Skin Whitening
It is said that many skin whitening products have the chemicals which interfere with enzymatic processes that results in production of melanin. Some whitening products also contain mercury which is not good for unborn baby. This can affect the babyâs growth. Hence usually doctors advise to wait till the pregnancy period gets over before you consider any skin lightening treatment.
Alternatives: It is always better to take preventive measures. Hence simply donât buy any lotions till the pregnancy gets over.
8. Tattoos
In traditional tattoos,needles were used which had direct contact with the blood stream. This increased the chances of transmission disease as well. However somehow more than needles there are more effects of tattoo dyes on growth of baby. The dye stuff which is used in the tattoo industry is not regulated in the same manner as cosmetics, which then split into carcinogenic amines in the bloodstream in case if tattoo is roved by laser treatment. This can affect the babyâs growth in many ways.
Alternative: You can surely go with henna tattoo which is not permanent but can bring some chance in your body for time being. Make sure you use natural henna that color is not black.
9. Heavy Fragrances
It is said that most of the fragrances includes phthalates in them. Some of pathlates can be more harmful for thebaby. However usually doctors donât allow using such substance that containspathlates as it affects the babyâs growth. It is always better that you avoid using fragrance during pregnancy.The reason of not using pathlates is that it affects the development of fetus and natalhormones.
Alternative: Try to avoid or minimizethe use of perfumed beauty products.
10.Avoid doing Facial
There are some facial products which can be sticky or smelly. These products have the chemicals which are inhaled when facial mask is applied. This has direct effect on the body. Long exposure to any chemical can slow down the bays growth.
Alternative: You can use egg white facial which is a natural product and is completely safe to use.