Can pregnant women apply sunscreen?

I am 6 weeks pregnant with my first child, and my job requires me to be exposed to a lot of direct sunlight. Doctor, can pregnant women use sunscreen? (Thu Nga, Dak Lak ).

Reply:

Women always have the need to beautify and protect their skin. During pregnancy, the amount of hormones in the body changes, the skin becomes more sensitive, more prone to hyperpigmentation such as freckles, melasma, dark skin and acne... In addition, many women have to move a lot, work in hot environments, which can cause the skin to become dark, dark, freckles appear faster if not properly protected.

To protect the skin, pregnant women need to cover their bodies when exposed to sunlight by wearing wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved clothes, cloth masks... Pregnant women can use sunscreen throughout their pregnancy. However, applying sunscreen is the last priority barrier of protection. Women should cover themselves with hats, wide-brimmed hats, and sun-protective clothing.

Regular use of sunscreen will help prevent skin damage. Pregnant women need to be more careful in choosing and using sunscreen, avoiding some active ingredients that are contraindicated for pregnant women such as Retinol, Oxybenzone, Methyl anthranilate, Paraben... These active ingredients can penetrate the skin, pass through the blood barrier and have negative effects on the fetus.

Women should choose sunscreens with natural ingredients or products with ingredients that are safe for pregnant women as announced by the FDA such as Zinc oxide, Tatinium dioxide, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Meradimate, Glycerin... Pregnant women can choose sunscreen products with SPF ranging from 30-50 depending on their needs. Spray sunscreens are not recommended because pregnant women can inhale the substances in the product, so topical sunscreens are preferred.

Pregnant women should carefully check the ingredients in sunscreen and the expiration date, prioritize choosing products with clear brands and origins, and eliminate the risk of buying fake, counterfeit, and poor quality products.

If you have sensitive skin, you should test it on your hand to see if there is any allergic reaction before applying it to other areas of your body... Women can consult a doctor before using sunscreen.

Dr. Nguyen Huy Cuong
Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Source link