Skin Sensitivity Can Be an Issue
"It's common for women to experience more sensitive skin during pregnancy, which is typically attributed to increased hormone levels and also because your skin stretches as your baby grows," said Dove Partner and dermatologist, Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton.
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Be Aware of Products Containing Fragrances
"If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid switching products often to reduce the risk of eventual exposure to ingredients that you are sensitive to," says Ingleton. Fragrance is a common allergen, she said, so be careful not to switch between too many fragranced products.
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Avoid Products Containing Aluminum
"Some people experience sensitivity to ingredients such as aluminum — the active ingredient in antiperspirants that helps prevent underarm sweat," Dr. Ingleton explains. If you are sensitive to aluminum, she recommends trying an aluminum-free deodorant. However, she further cautions that some aluminum-free or natural deodorants are made with ingredients such as baking soda, which can also irritate skin.
To keep your underarms dry and odor free, she suggested using the new Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant, $5.99, which contains 0 percent aluminum, 0 percent alcohol and no baking soda — and is specifically formulated to be gentle and moisturizing.
Stretch Marks Can Occur
"Purple stretch marks can develop when the skin on the breasts and abdomen (and thighs, arms) is stretched quickly due to rapid weight gain due to normal puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding/rapid muscle bulking, internal (cortisol, estrogen) or external hormones (hormone replacement therapy, birth control), over-eating, drug-induced (marijuana) or medication-induced weight gain," says Shainhouse. She further explains that stretch marks occur when collagen and elastin in the dermis layer of the skin breaks — which is why the appearance does not improve when you lose the weight, because the elastic fibers are already broken.
But while stretch marks may be difficult to treat, Shainhouse says that the purple-pink discoloration will generally fade into a less noticeable silvery-white. In the meantime, she recommends investing in laser treatments, as some laser procedures that target red color (such as pulsed dye lasers and KTP lasers) can also be used to fade them quicker.
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Moisturize Your Stretch Marks Often
Another thing you can do to help with your stretch marks? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. "If you do develop stretch marks during pregnancy, remember to moisturize your abdomen often and with a rich, highly moisturizing cream throughout your pregnancy," advises Dr. Ingleton. (We're fans of Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer, $39).
