For many new mothers, maintaining their good looks may be a post-pregnancy challenge. But as Gihan Shahine finds out, there are many surefire ways to wake up a tired look Being the mother of a two-year-old pre-school child means sacrificing many things, especially sleep, and the "terrible twos" were taking a toll on how I looked. Sleeping was a rare commodity, and my son seemed to suck all the fluid out of my body when I breastfed him, leaving my skin very dry. "You are a mother now, so you have to kiss normal sleep goodbye," a friend's mother told me after I had given birth. I dismissed this pessimistic outlook with a smile at the time, but now I realise that what she said was true. Being a new mother means quitting normal activities. There is little time for exercise, and fatigue and stress are normal. Putting on weight can also ensue, due in many cases to poor dietary advice. Breastfeeding used to make me feel hungry, and I did not have the luxury of eating the right thing at the right time, just eating what I could instead. Although some people did not notice the way I had changed as a result, I felt tired of looking tired. Today, almost four months after stopping breastfeeding I am back to my normal self. My face is looking more radiant, and I am almost back in shape. "This is the most important point," explains dermatologist and cosmetologist Nada Roshdi. "Women should be assured that they will get back to their normal look soon after the stressful period of pregnancy, delivery and lactation is over." Such psychological assurance is a key element in any rejuvenation process. Women, according to Roshdi, "should look at breastfeeding as a blessing and feel happy about having a baby. That outlook in itself can make them look radiant." However, women should also be prepared for the changes that occur during pregnancy and lactation. Apart from the expected weight gain, hormonal changes during pregnancy cause skin pigmentation that may affect different parts of the body. Stretch marks also appear in the later months of pregnancy. However, both fade gradually after delivery. Women who are impatient about such undesirable changes should spread emollients on their breast and stomach during pregnancy, Roshdi says. The use of sun blocks, especially those containing added moisturisers, can also help reduce face and neck pigmentation. Pregnant woman should always consult a doctor on creams that contain ingredients that are safe to use during pregnancy. Pregnancy exercises are essential for the body to get back into shape and get rid of stretch marks after delivery. But, on a more optimistic note, Roshdi also insists that pregnancy is not all bad for the way one looks. Any acne almost disappears during pregnancy, and the many vitamins taken during this time help promote hair growth. Yet, the post-delivery and breastfeeding period are generally not skin-friendly. According to Suzanne Salem, a consultant dermatologist, many women suffer from an iron deficit after delivery and also a drop in the level of important vitamins like Vitamins B and A. Anaemia caused by iron deficiency can be seen on the face, reducing skin radiance and causing black circles around the eyes. Sleepless nights, fatigue and stress cause eye puffiness, skin dryness and a lack of skin elasticity. Stress also negatively affects collagen production in the skin, leading to unhealthy skin and the appearance of fine lines. "The skin may look like a dry land during this period," Roshdi says, adding that many women can suffer from post-delivery blues, which also takes a toll on the radiance of the skin. There is a consensus among dermatologists that eating a healthy, well-balanced meal and drinking lots of water is the first step towards achieving healthy skin. Drinking water hydrates the body and is seen as a certain strategy to look and feel better: even the superficial use of water can be helpful in hydrating skin. Thus, Salem advises rinsing the face with cold water and then leaving it to dry normally. The cold temperature causes the pores to constrict, giving the appearance of a smoother skin and an instantly awake-looking face. Adding camomile to the water can make it more effective. Eating iron-enriched foods like spinach, molasses, dates, liver and guavas is equally important in making up for any iron deficiency in the post-delivery period. Salad is also a main dietary course for healthy skin, and Salem advises eating oats and cereals, which can help the skin to look healthier. "The problem is that many women go on severe diets immediately after delivery in order to get back in shape," Roshdi says, "even though this is detrimental to their health and their skin." Instead, women should only start exercising once the uterus is back in place, and they should focus on eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and a small amount of carbohydrates. Many dermatologists also say that peeling is a basic process for healthy skin since the accumulation of dead cells reduces the formation of collagen, something which is particularly the case during periods of lactation and stress. "Skin peeling not only activates the secretion of collagen in the skin, but also allows deeper cells to breathe properly," Salem explains. Sloughing away the dull, dead skin cells immediately wakes up the face. Today, there are many types of skin peels available, including diamond peeling, crystal peeling, chemical peeling and peeling using natural fruit ingredients. Salem recommends using advanced techniques, as well as an oxygenation process that allows the deeper layers of the skin to access oxygen, and mesotherapy. The latter delivers vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly to the skin, in order to nourish and rejuvenate it and to promote the production of collagen and elastin. "Just leave yourself to me and you'll see," she told me during a consultation. An "amateur of beautifying techniques," as Salem prefers to call herself, she has turned her Cairo clinic into a haven for advanced techniques, and I decided to venture in and treat my tired skin to a rejuvenation session. After having my skin cleansed with two masks made from natural ingredients, all the dead skin was sloughed away using a diamond peeling device, and then a heavy splash of oxygen offered a respite from pollution, allowing the inner layers of the skin to breathe properly. Salem gently massaged a nourishing blend of vitamins into my face through a mesosense, a mesotherapy device that allows the material to access the skin's deeper layers without injection. My face felt rejuvenated and rested. Yet, in order to keep the glow that comes from such sessions they have to be periodically repeated. How often depends on a woman's life-style and level of stress, and many mothers may not be able to afford either the expense or the time for this repeated process. Many women get trapped into a cycle of chores related to the home and children, and instead of expensive beauty therapies they may have more need of tips that can help them look good without spending a lot of time or money. For such women, simple tips are available that can be used without even leaving the kitchen. The fridge can become a kind of laboratory, since it contains the fruit and vegetable juices that can be used as natural peeling ingredients and prerequisites for any rejuvenating mask. Grapefruit, tomato juice, kiwis, apricots and red grapes are all possibilities. There is also a wealth of recipes for effective rejuvenating masks that match different skin types. One popular exfoliating mask, for example, is composed of a mix of honey, lupine powder and either milk or yoghurt. Breastfeeding women generally need extra moisturising for their skin, and there are many oils that are rich in amino acids that can help to produce a glowing skin. Jojoba oil, almond oil and caster oil are all good alternatives, and additional moisture in the skin can instantly make the face look more awake. "Women should take care not to allow their faces to dry out," Salem says, adding that sun protection is a must and women should choose a sun block with added moisture that matches their skin type and colour. "Women should not skip applying a sun block in the morning even if they are staying at home," Salem advises, explaining that exposure to the sun is not the only stimulant for the formation of melanin. Daylight, neon light and heat in general can all work equally well. Finally, "mothers should find the time and money to maintain their looks despite their busy schedules," Salem says. "It is a priority that no woman should ignore." To maintain your looks post pregnancy, think about trying the following tips: Rethink your hairstyle: now that your face is probably rounder and fuller, longer hair may suit you better Use eyedrops or rinse your eyes with cold water in the morning to help decrease redness produced by a lack of sleep Hide dark circles under the eyes with a suitable concealer Use a facial scrub before bed to save time in the morning. Slough away dead, dull skin to reveal fresh skin beneath Cucumber and tea are excellent soothers for tired eyes and dark circles. For a quick pick-me-up, try putting ice on the eyes to make them look more awake Choose clothes that fit your new shape
