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Beauty Do's and Don'ts

Tips and Tricks for Moms-to-be

By Laura Cone

But she advises moms-to-be to watch for other skin changes during pregnancy. "Watch moles and skin for evidence of skin cancer; it can occur during pregnancy," Dr. Glaser says. "Simple regimens are generally all that are needed when pregnant."

Even though some women worry about how pregnancy will alter their figures and whether raising children will lead to gray hairs and worry lines, Dr. Pontius encourages women to relax.

"There is so much pressure to look good in general, and sometimes it is hard to look good when you are pregnant," she says. "Not everyone gets the beautiful pregnancy glow. Some of us get acne and splotchy skin. Regardless, my advice is to not let it get you down."

She points out that pregnancy is a unique and brief period in one's life. Make the most of the time. "I certainly did not feel like a beauty when I was pregnant, but now, in retrospect, I realize what a special time it was," Dr. Pontius says. "There is plenty of time afterwards to work out at the gym and get Botox, so just be easy on yourself and realize you'll be back to yourself in no time."

In addition to buying a skin care regimen made out of natural ingredients, women may also take care of their skin by practicing relaxation and yoga.

Dr. Pontius also suggests buying stylish maternity clothes to boost self-esteem during pregnancy. "Pamper yourself because you are going through a lot, not just physically, but emotionally as well," she says. "Be good to yourself."

Put Your Best Face Forward Just as some women prefer natural childbirth, some women like to keep it natural when it comes to their appearances. But pregnancy is a good time to experiment with makeup and skincare products. Pauline Burnett, an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics from Fort Worth, Texas, says women who are pregnant often get a boost by having a makeover or beauty consultation. Burnett said she gave her daughter a makeover when she was pregnant. "I gave her makeovers because she felt like she was all swollen up and fat," Burnett says. "We tried different things, different ways to apply eye shadow and a little something different to perk her up. We used a lip liner to accent her lips and bring them out and eyeliner and different color eye shadows." To eliminate the dark circles under the eyes during pregnancy, Burnett suggests using a good moisturizer with a light beige or ivory tint. And some pregnant women use night cream skincare products to reduce and prevent stretch marks on their abdomens. "I'm a firm believer in lots of moisturizer," Burnett says. "I think wearing makeup helps with self-esteem."

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Sun Safety: Protection During Pregnancy
• Mulling over Melasma: When Pregnancy Increases
  Skin Pigmentation
• That Pregnant Glow: Keeping Your Skin Radiant and Healthy
• Talk about it!

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