During pregnancy, a woman expects many surprises. And it's not just about a growing belly and unexpected food addictions. The body and skin of the mother-to-be literally change before our eyes. The skin frequently becomes more sensitive, and age spots and rashes appear.
Skin changes during pregnancy
According to a clinical study of skin changes in low and high-risk pregnant women, approximately 89% of pregnant women experienced skin changes. This rate proves that skin changes during pregnancy are not uncommon. Even if you do not experience any changes during pregnancy, your skin may change after delivery.
- Dryness of the skin
During pregnancy, the mother's blood volume increases up to 1.5 times. In addition, during pregnancy, much of the water drunk by the pregnant woman is used to maintain the volume of the amniotic fluid. And after giving birth, a significant amount of the body's water is used in breast milk. Both of these reasons contribute to dry skin during pregnancy.
- Roughness and sensitivity of the skin
During pregnancy, the body's resistance weakens, and the woman becomes more susceptible to infections. One theory is that this is a reaction to avoid the baby being perceived as a foreign substance. The same is true for the skin, which becomes very sensitive to external stimuli.
- Susceptibility to dyes
The female hormones that increase during pregnancy have the function of activating the action of melanocytes that produce melanin. As a result, spots and freckles on the face are visible, and pigmentation of the sides, crotch, and joints is likely to occur.
- Ease of acne onset.
Hormonal changes can be a major cause, but surprisingly, "dryness" can also be a factor. If your skin is dry, excess oil may be secreted to make up for what you lack. Therefore, neglecting moisturizing simply for fear of acne and sticky skin is a mistake.
Overall, the most common changes are dryness and tightness. These are most often associated with excess female sex hormones and usually disappear after pregnancy. However, a new skin type requires new care ! Therefore, at the first signs of unpleasant changes, it is worthwhile to stop using cosmetic products for a while and observe the skin.
When choosing skin care products for the face and body, it is important that the woman takes into account her new condition, because during pregnancy the body becomes more sensitive. It is worth choosing special cosmetic products for pregnant women: they are hypoallergenic, do not contain harmful ingredients, and are safe for the pregnant woman and the baby. The same applies to the choice of salon procedures: they should be selected taking into account the "special position" of the woman.
Facial care during pregnancy
To care for dry skin, the gentlest products that nourish and moisturize well are suitable. Creams and emulsions should contain vitamins A and C, as well as saturated fatty acids. It is best to stop with salon peels for a while: replace this procedure with massages and cleansing masks.
Oily facial skin during pregnancy needs to regulate the work of the sebaceous glands. This task is well fulfilled by the antioxidants contained in the creams: vitamins A and C, green tea or grape seed extracts. Oily skin also needs to be moisturized: as it loses its moisture, it absorbs the fats released with all the impurities accumulated on the surface. It is therefore useful to abandon the drying of toners containing alcohol and replace them with slightly acidic toners (pH not lower than 5). For cleansing, gentle scrubs and masks that you can make yourself (for example, the oatmeal and plain yogurt mask) are suitable.
Combination skin can be of two types: oily and dry. The latter is particularly prone to rapid aging, which is why products with protective and regenerating components, like avocado oil or wheat germ oil, are best for it. For combination skin with an oily tendency, deep cleansing is important; gentle scrubs are useful here; they should not be used more than once or twice a week. In the salon, you can opt for a course of fruit acid peels, which not only cleanse, but also tighten pores, helping to fight blemishes.
Body care during pregnancy
Mothers-to-be are often concerned about flaking, itching, tightness, and stretch marks.
Stretch marks are nothing more than microtrauma on the surface of the epidermis. The purple, pink, or white "cracks" are due to the connective tissue that fills the empty spaces. The main causes of stretch marks are hormonal disorders associated with a decrease in the production of elastin and collagen. The skin becomes dry, and instead of stretching, it tears. To avoid this, it is important to nourish and moisturize the skin intensely, not only from the outside but also from the inside. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of water a day (to avoid swelling, drink most of the liquid in the morning).
Moisturize and nourish the skin well using avocado fruit extracts, shea butter, almond and coconut oils. And for the comfort of the legs, which are under enormous stress during this period, you can choose menthol or centella treatments.
If the condition of the skin is very worrying for the mother-to-be (significant rashes, acne, and other obvious changes have appeared), it is best to contact specialists: first of all, a dermatologist and an allergist. They will help identify the cause of the alarming symptoms and choose the optimal and safest treatment.