Pregnancy is a vital step in your life and you want to feel and look your best. However, this is not the easiest thing to do when you are pregnant since many things may take a hit on how you look such as skin problems and even dryness.
One of the simplest ways that can help cling onto your general beauty during pregnancy is doing manicures and it's also one of the safest steps that every pregnant woman should consider.
What are the benefits?
Manicure is indeed very important especially during pregnancy because there are vital benefits it offers and these benefits will be discussed in detail below:
- Pregnancy changes how your nails look like
During pregnancy, women experience great hormonal changes which include changing nail color due to an increase in estrogen levels. The good news is that with increased estrogen level comes increased moisture levels under your nails.
This is the reason why pregnant women experience changes to their nail color which ranges from yellowish, pale, or reddish hues to even brown or gray colors. You can easily address this problem by getting a professional manicure and at the end of it, you will notice that your nails look healthier and shinier than ever before.
- Manicure ensures that your cuticles are in proper shape and form
One of the most important steps in doing a manicure is pushing back your cuticles so make sure that you ask for this step when you visit a salon. When done properly, pushing back your cuticles can actually help improve blood circulation around the area thus reducing chances of infection such as hangnails.
- Manicures are great for pregnant women who want to avoid swelling in their hands and feet
Swelling is common during pregnancy but when you visit a salon, one of the things they will do is ensure that your hands are massaged in order to remove water retention which will bring relief from swelling. Do make sure that before getting your massage done, you select an experienced manicurist so you can really experience better results.
- Getting step by step instructions on how to properly apply nail polish will help you feel less stressed about this matter
The last thing a pregnant woman wants to think about is cracking or chipping their nails because it's just another added stress they don't need during pregnancy so prevention is always better than cure.
With that in mind, you can easily ask your manicurist for instructions on how to do it yourself at home and this will ensure that you save money while also avoiding chances of getting infections.
- Nail polish is made out of ingredients that are safe during pregnancy
Nail polishes are mainly composed of water, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose resin, butyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer, stearalkonium bentonite, or acrylates copolymer which are all ingredients that are deemed safe for pregnant women so there is no need to worry about adverse effects such as allergic reactions.
Is it dangerous to have your nails done while being pregnant?
It is indeed very safe to have your nails done during pregnancy as long as the salon you are visiting is clean and hygienic. However, if you feel any discomfort or experience pain or swelling after getting a manicure or pedicure, then immediately consult with your doctor so they can check on the problem and recommend a more suitable solution.
One important thing to keep in mind here is that pregnant women should not soak their feet for more than twenty minutes since this might lead to infections such as athlete's foot which will be even more difficult to treat when you are pregnant. In addition, try to avoid frequent nail polishing at home because constant exposure to dyes from polish may cause adverse effects as well.
What about the influence of UV lamps?
As for the influence of UV lamps on your nails, it is not recommended to get them done during pregnancy but once again if you do feel like doing it then consult with your doctor first.
Why? Well, UV light might inhibit blood flow in your nails which can also lead to problems with your nail beds. As for the problem of it being possible that the chemicals in nail polish may cause adverse effects when combined with UV light, this is yet another reason why you shouldn't get your nails done during pregnancy.
Ultraviolet light may be dangerous for your pregnancy and you should avoid it as much as possible. When there is a possibility of getting light exposure (for example, when going under the sun), wear UV protective sunglasses.
Can I take something to make my nails stronger?
Yes, if you want your nails to grow long and strong during pregnancy then you can easily find prenatal supplements which will help strengthen them along with prevent breakage and even prevent anemia which can also occur during pregnancy.
10 Foods to eat during pregnancy for healthy nails
- Salmon
Salmon is rich in omega-three fatty acids which are essential for nail growth. It will also help prevent infections during pregnancy and strengthen your nails as well. - Iron-fortified cereals
Eating iron-fortified cereals will ensure that you get a sufficient amount of folic acid which is very important for pregnant women due to its antioxidant properties. This mineral plays an important role in preventing neural tube defects (defects related to the development of the fetus). - Tofu
Tofu contains high amounts of iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D which are all very necessary for healthy-looking nails since they contain B vitamins too (which helps with nail growth
- Oatmeal
Eating oatmeal will ensure that you get proper nutrition and it is also very useful for pregnant women since it contains B vitamins which help you grow healthier nails. - Beans: black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans
These three types of beans all contain folate and vitamin C which help in growing healthier-looking nails. Folate contributes to the production of DNA while vitamin C absorbs iron so these two nutrients both contribute towards nail growth. - Green leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli, spinach
Eating green leafy vegetables ensures you get enough fiber along with preventing constipation during pregnancy because they also add a lot of moisture to your diet which can help prevent internal damage due to toxins etc. They are also rich in folic acid and other minerals like calcium and magnesium which help prevent breakage of nails. - Nuts: almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc.
Nuts are very healthy for pregnant women but you must only eat them raw (or dry roasted) because roasting nuts can cause damage to their nutritional value. They also contain vitamin E which helps provide elasticity to your skin and hair including your nails. - Dairy products such as milk, cheese, etc.
Milk is a good source of protein and calcium which will help prevent thin and weak-looking nails while ensuring they grow long and strong during pregnancy. Milk also contains vitamin D which is another nutrient that provides strength to the nails along with protecting them during pregnancy and beyond. - Oysters
Oysters contain zinc which helps prevent breakage of your nails during the entire course of your pregnancy as well as strengthen them from within. They are also very rich in copper which is another essential mineral for nail growth. - Water
Water is the most important nutrient for pregnant women to ensure they stay healthy during their nine months as well as after that, so drinking a lot of water will help grow healthier-looking nails along with preventing breakage and protect them from any damage due to dehydration, etc.
What about artificial nails? Are they dangerous?
Nails need good care along with good nutrition to grow properly and stay healthy, but if you also want fake nails then make sure that they are not harmful or toxic to your body. Some nail polish can contain formaldehyde which can be very dangerous for pregnant women as well as their unborn babies so it is better to avoid those kinds of chemicals during pregnancy.
What about acrylic nails? Are they still safe? These days there are many types of artificial nails available such as metallic-looking ones and using them will ensure that your fingers look attractive and decorated without the help of any nail paint. They don't contain anything that might harm you or your baby so it's totally fine to use them throughout your pregnancy.
Pedicure is the same?
So, if the manicure is safe in most cases, what is about a pedicure? There are two things that can be dangerous to pregnant women: massage and scraping. Massage is okay if the nails look healthy and you don't feel any pain in your fingers when it gets touched. Scraping might cause a little bleeding, but this isn't harmful since there is no chance of contracting any diseases.
What should you avoid during making the manicure?
When it comes to making the manicure, there are some things that you should avoid for safety purposes. These include:
- Using whitening or bleaching products that can cause damage to your nails and the natural color of your skin
- Cleaning with disinfectant sprays as they can dry out your nails along with other parts of your skin.
- Using any nail polish remover containing acetone since it is very dangerous during pregnancy so instead use one that contains moisturizing ingredients.
The safest way would be to have a pedicure done by an expert who knows how she should treat pregnant women so if you want this kind of service then visit beauty salons in the UAE where they provide beauty treatments without doing anything harmful to pregnant women.
What beauty procedures are dangerous while pregnancy?
Pretty much all of them. Even a pedicure can have consequences for the health of your unborn baby so it is best to be cautious during this period. These days, pregnancy is associated with beauty treatments but they are very dangerous during this period and you should only rely on safe products that will not affect your unborn baby.
Dying your hair, using depilatories, waxing, facials are all potentially dangerous procedures that can harm your unborn baby. So either stay away from them until you deliver the baby or get advice from a doctor who will tell you what is safe during pregnancy.
What about removing hair? There are 3 options for removing hair while pregnant: laser removal without YAG, epilation, and waxing.
- Laser hair removal uses light rays to destroy hair follicles thus preventing them from producing any more hair. The procedure is done without any contact with the skin so it doesn't affect other parts of your body including your unborn baby since it doesn't contain or release any chemicals into your bloodstream.
- Waxing is avoided at all costs since it can cause severe skin irritation and pain. It is better to use depilatories that are made with chemicals that are safe for pregnant women.
- Epilation is also safe but it has side effects, including inflammation or damage of surrounding tissues, so consult your doctor before using this method of hair removal.
You should avoid anything that can harm your baby. When it comes to beauty treatments, each one of them has the potential to do some damage to you and your unborn baby so the best idea is not to undergo any procedures until after you give birth unless they are absolutely necessary.
This way, you will ensure that you conceive a healthy child without making it lose its life just after entering this world because of something that was meant to improve your looks or ease discomfort. You should keep in mind that looking good is always better than feeling bad, but if there is no solution for your problems then don't risk anything since this can lead to bigger issues than those you might want to get rid of.
Final words
Manicure and pregnancy are perfectly safe if you don't use any tools that can result in bleeding or anything of this nature. You should clean your hands with disinfectant sprays, but make sure they don't dry up the skin like during the winter when the air gets too dry and cold.
Use moisturizing products instead such as Vaseline, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Hand Cream, etc. During making the manicure always avoid using whitening or bleaching products which may cause damage to your nails and the natural color of your skin.