Pregnancy doesn't just affect the gut. With these tricks, you will hide those little things that you don't like.
The most obvious physical sign of pregnancy is a growing belly, but surely almost from the first moment, you will have started to notice other changes in your appearance. The culprits are the hormones, which go through a real swing during these nine months and cause many of the problems inherent to your condition. Estrogens, for example, increase fluid retention, promoting swelling; progesterone alters venous return, increasing the risk of varicose veins; relaxin stops collagen production, which causes stretch marks…
First trimester
As a result of the increase in progesterone, it is normal to have a feeling of fatigue and constant sleep. For this reason, it is common that at this moment you look more dark circles than usual and your face reflects tiredness. Your best ally is the concealer (the pencil versions are the most manageable, especially if you don't have much practice): apply it on the dark circles, and then,
With the tip of your ring finger, blend it until it penetrates completely. Then use your usual makeup base. A trick: if you curl your eyelashes well, the focus is on the upper part of your eyes and the dark circles go into the background. This trick also helps you look better (something very appreciated, especially if you are nauseous).
Second trimester
Although these are the months in which hormones are calmer, many women begin to suffer from swelling and fluid retention problems. The ankles are usually the first to suffer from this problem. It is best to avoid heels or very flat shoes and tight boots. Nude shoes (the same tone as your skin) hide swollen ankles. An excellent distraction strategy to divert attention from your ankles is to always have an impeccable pedicure, highlighting your nails with an inconspicuous tone (fuchsia pink, for example). To camouflage the swelling in your legs and ankles, you can also use long skirts with a waistband, loose and long dresses, and leggings (remember that dark tones always stylize the figure). You may also notice important changes in your skin. “During pregnancy, the skin is much more sensitive, and allergic reactions and other alterations such as acne may appear. Thus,
Third quarter
Nose, eyelids, lips... These are the areas of the face that most show that you are in the final stretch of pregnancy. To reduce swelling in your face, sleep with your head slightly elevated. A home remedy that works very well, especially in the eye area, is to prepare an infusion of tea and chamomile, leave it in the refrigerator until it cools, and apply cotton pads soaked in the infusion on the swollen areas. Another express remedy: take an ice cube and pass it over the swollen areas: the cold produces contraction and provides a lifting effect.
More visible stretch marks from the third trimester
The truth: it is not easy to get rid of being part of the 50-90% of women who develop stretch marks during pregnancy, a problem derived from the stretching to which the skin is subjected and which causes the elastin fibers (the substance responsible for of elasticity) and collagen (which ensures firmness), which are found in the deepest part of the skin, literally break down. This internal breakdown is reflected in the epidermis in the form of very fine lines that, at first, are reddish in color and that, little by little, become thicker and whiter.
Although they can begin to form from the beginning of pregnancy, it is usually in the third trimester when stretch marks are most visible. High-risk areas are the hips, thighs, inner legs, buttocks, breasts, and, above all, the stomach. On the other hand, some women notice itching on the skin of their stomach and breasts as the volume increases. The cause is the same that causes stretch marks: the effects produced by stretching the skin. These itches can be favored by a lack of hydration and also by the use of synthetic clothing, which can irritate the skin and increase dryness.
How to stand up to them
The best strategy is prevention, for which two infallible weapons: specific creams and the massages with which they are applied. “ The goal of anti-stretch mark products is to keep the skin hydrated, elastic, and well-toned, but they are effective as long as they are used regularly, even before becoming pregnant and the first stretch marks appear. You have to apply them every day in those areas that are prone to developing them and intensify their use at the end of pregnancy, which is when the skin stretches at a greater rate,” says Cristina Tiemblo. The expert recommends applying them after bathing or showering, since at this time the skin pores are dilated and absorb all the active ingredients better.
Massages fulfill two functions: to facilitate the penetration of active ingredients and to activate circulation, thereby improving the appearance of the skin. They should be circular and the direction depends on the area where you apply the cream: on the abdomen, first in the center and then towards the sides; in the thighs and hips, from bottom to top (from the knee to the hip), in the direction of blood circulation; and on the breasts, surrounding them with the palm of the hand, from the outside in, going up to the shoulders and avoiding the areola area.
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