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You already know that pregnancy brings with it a sea of changes in you, both physical and emotional. While your body grows in places to accommodate the life growing inside you, your skin too gets affected in the process.
Pregnancy is commonly linked to the very specific ‘pregnancy glow,’ but not all the changes that affect your skin are as positive. Some of these changes are, in fact, unpleasant and un-aesthetic, if we may take the liberty to use a term like that. The commonest of these changes have been listed below:
1. Acne
One of the hormones released during pregnancy, progesterone, is responsible for pregnancy acne. Progesterone leads to the production of oil and sweat in your skin, which can give you that pregnant lady glow or the rather dreadful acne. This happens because the combination of sweat and acne is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You can reduce this acne by exfoliating your skin as well as regular cleaning and moisturizing.
2. Pigmentation
Skin pigmentation is probably one of the commonest side effects of pregnancy. The reason behind the pigmentation is melanocyte stimulating hormones, the production of which is higher when you are pregnant. As a result, your skin may turn sensitive to sun rays, and hence, even mild exposure to it can lead to the darkening of your skin.
Pigmentation caused by pregnancy is divided into a couple of types, the most common type is known as melasma (even referred to as cholasma and mask of pregnancy). In this condition, you are most likely to develop dark patches on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. The good news is that it mostly clears up after childbirth.
3. Stretch marks
This is one skin related side effect you obviously know about. As your belly grows to adjust your ever-growing baby, the skin of your tummy stretches out, leading to unsightly stretch marks. Your breasts too increase in size, and you may notice stretch marks there as well. Although your skin is pretty elastic, the rapid increase of your size stretches the elastin fibres as well as collagen of your skin, causing stretch marks. You need to deeply moisturize your skin in order to reduce stretch marks.
4. Varicose and spider veins
The flood of blood to your skin increases to a great extent when you are pregnant. It could give you that pregnancy glow but that’s not all it does. Varicose veins, spider veins and broken capillaries also arise, especially if you have a family history of them.
The increased blood flow to the skin can strains your veins and capillaries, causing them to bulge out or burst. Even though this may sound dangerous, it’s actually harmless. Its only drawback is visible web-like blue veins under your skin. They too will disappear after childbirth, even if they take many months to do so. You can increase your physical movements and have vitamin C to prevent this skin condition.
5. Natural remedies that work
Apart from the suggestions given above with each condition, you can employ certain natural remedies to get rid of these conditions. Extract of the raspberry leaf, ginger root as well as essential oils can not only help with your skin conditions but also abate common pregnancy symptoms and prepare your body for labor.
Pregnancy is an exciting as well as a sensitive time for all women. So instead of getting overwhelmed by the changes that take place in your body, educate yourself of them beforehand so that you can reduce the stress. Also, you should constantly stay in touch with your doctor to report anything that’s out of the ordinary.
