BEST PREGNANCY PRODUCTS PART #3: BIO OIL

December 11, 2009

This stuff is amazing!! I'm loving.  Especially the smell. It's majorly reknowned for it's scar and stretch mark preventing properties so I couldn't wait to dive in…Now, I'm slathering it on like it's Bain De Soliel and it's the 70's… in fact, I'm already out of my bottle!  PREGGO BODY NECTAR! 

BIO OIL

Bio-oil
 

Bio-Oil® is a specialist
skincare product that helps
improve the appearance of
scars, stretch marks and
uneven skin tone. Its advanced
formulation, which contains the
breakthrough ingredient 
PurCellin Oil™, also makes
it highly effective for numerous
other skin concerns, including
aging skin and dehydrated skin.


Vitamin A
 
Vitamin A has come under the spotlight as being potentially hazardous to the health of the foetus if ingested orally in very large quantities by the mother. Because it is extremely difficult for high concentrations of vitamin A to penetrate the body via the skin, topically applied vitamin A (and its derivatives) is of less concern. The level of vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate on the label) in Bio-Oil is far lower than that which could ever be harmful if applied topically.

Rosemary
In recent years there has been a great deal of publicity surrounding the safety of the excessive use of Rosemary oil during pregnancy. However, the Rosemary oil contained in Bio-Oil (Rosemarinus Officinalis on the label) is of little concern as it is extremely difficult for high concentrations of Rosemary to penetrate the body when topically applied. Therefore, the level of Rosemary in Bio-Oil is far lower than that which could ever be harmful.

Lavender, Calendula and Chamomile
Lavender, Calendula and Chamomile are also all considered safe for use throughout pregnancy.

Episiotomy scars
 
An Episiotomy is a minor procedure used to ease a normal vaginal delivery; it involves a surgical incision in the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening. Although Bio-Oil is extremely safe for use on the surface of the skin, we do not recommend that it be applied to any mucosal membranes. Bio-Oil contains a low level of fragrance and is therefore not considered 100% sterile. For this reason, we do not recommend that Bio-Oil be applied to episiotomy scars.

Perineal Massage
Perineal massage is the gentle stretching and massaging of the perineum (the skin between the anus and vagina) with the aim of reducing the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during childbirth. For the same reasons listed above, we would not recommend the use of Bio-Oil for perineal massage.

Use during breast feeding
It is completely safe to use Bio-Oil on the body while breast feeding, but it is not recommended for use on the nipples – although Bio-Oil is non-toxic, young babies are very sensitive and should not ingest even the smallest amount of Bio-Oil.

Use on babies
Although Bio-Oil was not developed for use on babies, it will not be harmful when using the product on the unbroken skin of infants over 2 years of age. However, the product must be applied with care, and should not be used near the eyes or mouth.TH