Skin Tips During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can affect skin in many different ways and can cause some new conditions to appear and others to flare. Additionally, not all prescriptions, products and procedures are safe to use during pregnancy, but many are and our team is here to help.
MELASMA - “The Mask of Pregnancy”
The hormones during pregnancy cause increased melanin production that causes natural darkening of certain areas of the skin, but in some women it can also cause unwanted patches of hyperpigmentation mostly on the face.
- Treatments:
- Ingredients to Avoid: Hydroquinone, Tretinoin, and Retinols
- Pregnancy Safe Ingredients: Azelaic acid, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C, Transexamic Acid, and Niacinamide
- Favorite Products: SkinCeuticals Discoloraton Defense, Alastin A-Luminate, and Isdinceutics Melaclear Advanced
- Pregnancy Safe Procedures: Microneedling and Glycolic Acid Peels
ACNE
The hormones during pregnancy in some women can cause increased skin congestion and acne flares especially on the lower face.
- Treatments:
- Ingredients to Avoid: Tretinoin and Retinols, Salicyclic acid, and Benzoyl Peroxide
- Pregnancy Safe Ingredients:
- Rx: Clindamycin lotion, Azelaic acid creams, and Sulfur based products
- OTC: Glycolic acid, Bakuchiol, and Azelaic Acid
- Pregnancy Safe Procedures: SilkPeel Dermalinfusion, HydraFacial, and Glycolic Acid Peels
ECZEMA
Eczema can flare during pregnancy so it is important to use extra moisturization during pregnancy.
- Treatments:
- Favorite Products: Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream, Cetaphil Cream, CeraVe Cream, and Vanicream
SUN PROTECTION
We recommend mineral based rather than chemical sunscreens during pregnancy.
- Favorite Products: EltaMD Elements, Alastin Hydratint, and ISDIN Tinted Ageless SPF 50
OUR PREGNANCY-SAFE DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTINES
DR. JESSICA FARAHI - BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST
AM
- Gentle cleanser - EltaMD Enzyme Foaming Facial Cleanser, SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, or Vanicream Gentle Cleanser (three nice options!)
- Vitamin C - SkinCeuticals CF Phloretin (it is great for anti-aging and discoloration)
- Moisturizer - Alastin Reform & Repair Complex or Senté Dermal Repair Cream (whether you prefer a cream or serum, moisturization is key!)
- Tinted sunscreen - ISDIN Tinted Ageless SPF 50 (it is a must-have at our office!)
PM
At night, I repeat my AM routine but remove Vitamin C and sunscreen. Once per week I exfoliate, I love the SkinCeuticals Micro Exfoliating Scrub.
TREATMENTS
- HydraFacials are a favorite of mine, they are soothing yet invigorating, safe in pregnancy, and customizable for your skin type.
KATIE VELASQUEZ, PMA - LICENSED AESTHETICIAN
AM
- Gentle cleanser - Senté Soothing Cleanser
- Vitamin C - SkinCeuticals CF Phloretin mixed with ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate (great combo!)
- Eye cream - Senté Eye Cream
- Moisturizer - Alastin Ultra Light Moisturizer
- Tinted sunscreen - ISDIN Tinted Ageless SPF 50 (perfect coverage with high sun protection)
PM
- Cleanser - EltaMD Enzyme Foaming Face Wash
- Exfoliation - SkinCeuticals Micro Exfoliating Scrub (3 times per week)
- Anti-Aging - Alastin Restorative Complex
- Eye cream - Senté Illuminé Eye Cream (diminishes the appearance of dark circles)
- Moisturizer - Senté Ultra Nourish
TREATMENTS
- HydraFacial or SilkPeel Dermalinfusion are great for hydration and to try keep acne under control.
- Microneedling, SkinPen is pregnancy safe and can help with fine lines and pigmentation.
HYDRAFACIAL
HydraFacial is a comprehensive treatment option for refreshing and rejuvenating the skin, boosting the skin’s health, and improving the complexion. With slight modifications, like omitting salicylic acid, you can enjoy HydraFacials throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Highlights:
- Clarify blemishes
- Even out skin tone
- Clear away debris from pores
- Can help calm acne during pregnancy
- Great to keep the skin healthy and hydrated giving the skin a dewy and glowing appearance during pregnancy
What is a Board-Certified Dermatologist?
Pure Dermatology Denver is the proud home to three board-certified dermatologists — Drs. Ghiselli, Cera Hill, and Farahi. March hosts both the American Academy of Dermatology's Annual Meeting, as well as National Doctors' Day. In honor of the medical specialty of Dermatology, let's explore this expansive field of medicine and our talented physicians.
What is a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis of skin, hair, and nail conditions.
What training does a dermatologist have?
When it comes to diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails, no one has completed more training than a board-certified dermatologist. Before they can begin practicing, dermatologists receive more than a decade of training, including:
- Four years of college to earn a bachelor’s degree
- Four years of medical school to become a medical doctor
- A year-long internship in medicine
- Three years of residency in dermatology, working alongside experienced doctors and completing 12,000 to 16,000 hours of treating patients
- Some dermatologists will then pursue additional advanced training in a particular area. This is known as fellowship training.
How can I tell if a dermatologist is board certified?
When you see the letters FAAD after their name, you know a dermatologist is board certified. FAAD stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Why partner with a board-certified dermatologist?
Everyone’s skin is unique. No one understands your skin better than a board-certified dermatologist. When you partner with this expert, you get the best care.
- A board-certified dermatologist knows how to accurately diagnose and properly treat a wide variety of skin conditions from deadly skin cancers to warts.
- Expertise in caring for conditions ranging from long-term diseases caused by problems with your immune system and allergic reactions to hair loss and infections caused by bacteria or viruses.
- Dermatologists understand the interaction between the skin and the rest of the body. What seems like a simple rash might be a sign of an underlying disease.
- When you’re under a dermatologist’s care for a skin condition, your dermatologist can monitor you for other medical conditions.
- Dermatologists also help patients who want help with cosmetic concerns like wrinkles, sagging skin and scarring caused by acne or surgery to remove a skin cancer.
MEET OUR BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGISTS
Samantha Ghiselli, MD, FAAD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Co-Founder of Pure Dermatology Denver
Dr. Ghiselli is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology, including Mohs micrographic surgery. Dr. Ghiselli prides herself in caring for the whole patient. She is known to have excellent bedside manner and be very charismatic towards her patients. She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering her time to educate and provide dermatological care. She loves her profession because of the ways she can improve the lives of others.
Carrie Cera Hill, MD, FAAD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Co-Founder of Pure Dermatology Denver
Dr. Cera Hill is a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology with personal interests in skin of color and pediatric skin. After working for 7 years at Procter & Gamble, she received her MD from The University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2006. During her dermatology residency, she spent time at Northwestern Children’s Memorial Hospital studying pediatric dermatology, and in Santiago, Chile training on the topic of Latino skin.
Dr. Jessica M. Farahi, MD, FAAD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Jessica Mounessa Farahi is a board-certified dermatologist practicing medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. With a background in nutritional sciences, she prides herself in providing a holistic approach to treating numerous skin conditions. Dr. Farahi eagerly accepts patients of all ages and has experience performing a variety of cosmetic and surgical procedures. She values getting to know her patients as a whole and treating them with an individualized, patient-centered approach.
National Doctors' Day
National Doctors’ Day in the United States is a holiday which is celebrated on March 30th each year. Let's honor our physicians for the work they do for their patients, the communities they work in, and for society as a whole. It is their hard work and devotion that keeps all of us healthy and this day thanks them for doing that for us and our loved ones.
Pure Dermatology is Growing!
TeamDr. Jessica Mounessa Farahi is a dermatologist, certified by the American Board of Dermatology, practicing medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. With a background in nutritional sciences, she prides herself in providing a holistic approach to treating numerous skin conditions.
Originally from New York, she completed her undergraduate studies in Biology and Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. As a research scholar, she conducted numerous studies on the medicinal properties of numerous plants in chronic diseases. This sparked her fascination in the relationship between diet and health. She went on to receive her M.D. at the State University of New York School of Medicine with honors. Her passion for research in the field of dermatology resulted in her publication of over 20 articles in various prestigious medical journals including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on topics ranging from natural ways to reduce skin cancer risk to treating hair loss. After an internship in Internal Medicine, she went on to complete her dermatology residency at the University of Colorado. Prior to joining Pure Dermatology, she served as a dermatologist for Kaiser Permanente, treating a diverse population of patients with a variety of skin conditions.
Dr. Farahi eagerly accepts patients of all ages and has experience performing a variety of cosmetic and surgical procedures. She values getting to know her patients as a whole and treating them with an individualized, patient-centered approach. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and spending time outdoors, hiking and running in the great Rocky Mountains. She speaks conversational Farsi and Spanish.
Dr. Farahi will begin seeing patients on November 1st for general dermatology, cosmetic, and surgical appointments.
In addition, she will be offering a new unique visit type at Pure Dermatology; Beyond the Skin Consultations. These extended appointments will allow for individualized interaction with Dr. Farahi to explore your skin concerns. These visits may be covered by select insurance companies or can be private pay.
Beyond The Skin Consultations - A comprehensive evidence-based approach to treating skin conditions. This includes a diet and lifestyle assessment, diagnosis and work up recommendations, and a holistic treatment plan.
Select from one of the following skin conditions:
- Acne
- Sun-damaged skin
- Hair loss
In-office and telehealth visit options are available. Call our office at 303-333-7873 with questions and to schedule your appointment! Online self-schedule will also be available in the coming weeks.