SKIN CHANGE DURING PREGNANCY
It is common and normal for pregnancy woman having skin changes. The pregnant
woman body goes to major changes, which are not just limited to your bulging
belly and swollen feet. In pregnancy, your skin may begin to change right before
your eyes. Many of these skin changes are normal at pregnancy and should not
be mistaken for a rash or skin disorder.
Changes in skin color may occur during pregnancy. The most common place for
the skin to change color is the breast. Nipples which were once pink may turn
purple or brown.
Usually during the second trimester of pregnancy, women develop chloasma or
also call the mask of pregnancy. This is when the
forehead and cheeks take on a pink or red flush. Women are advised to stay out
of the sun as it will only increase the redness. The flushed look will slowly
subside after pregnancy.
What are Normal Skin Changes During Pregnancy?
The most common skin changes in pregnancy are:
- Melasma: brown, clearly defined patches on the face, typically on the cheekbones
and forehead.
- Darkening of the nipples and external genitals (pubic area).
- Darkening of existing moles.
- Linea nigra: a dark line that appears on the abdomen, running straight down
from the umbilicus (belly button).
- Striae gravidarum (stretch marks of pregnancy): red lines or bands that
can appear on the abdomen during pregnancy, or the breasts after breastfeeding,
which later become white, smooth, shiny and flattened.
- Veins on the skin can become more obvious.
- Varicose (swollen) veins can appear on the legs.
- An increase in the number of skin tags (small, harmless skin outgrowths
that occur especially on the neck, but can be found on any part of body).
- Acne can worsen.
One of the few desirable changes that may occur to your skin during pregnancy
is often called the glow of pregnancy. Friends and
family (and complete strangers) may comment on it, while you may not even notice
the difference. Hormonal changes and increased blood circulation tend to make
your oil glands work overtime, causing your face to appear shinier than normal,
as well as make your cheeks look rosier.
During the last half of pregnancy, you may notice a dark line running down
the middle of your belly from the top to the bottom. This is common and is called
the linea nigra. This line is normally there, but
those wacky pregnancy hormones tend to darken this line, making it more noticeable.
Thankfully, it will fade back to normal after delivery.
Why Skin Changes Happen During Pregnancy ?
Pregnancy causes changes in blood hormone levels, mainly an increase in oestrogen
levels and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Melanocytes are the cells within
the skin whose concentration determines the degree of pigmentation of the skin.
Darkening (hyperpigmentation) occurs following the increase in MSH. The changes
in veins are due to the increase in oestrogens. Striae gravidarum occur when
elastic tissue stretches as the abdomen and breasts enlarge.
The hormonal changes are also responsible for the unwelcome and very aggravating
change of pimple outbreaks (those oil glands working overtime). However, depending
on your hormones and skin condition, you may not suffer from this problem at
all. Occasionally, long-term acne conditions may actually clear up during pregnancy,
if you are lucky. If you become bothered with acne breakouts, keep a strict
cleansing routine, by washing your face twice a day (more often can lead to
dry skin) with a mild over-the-counter cleanser. Stay away from medicated acne
creams or scrubs, without checking with your doctor or midwife first, because
some may contain substances that are not recommended for pregnant women.
Are this Skin Changes Permanent or Harmful ?
The good news is most of the skin changes at pregnancy woman will be disappear
after few months the baby already born, but tend to reappear in subsequent pregnancies.
Striae gravidarum do not disappear completely, but in time they become less
noticeable. For the harmful, if the mother is not affecting of cosmetic effect,
the natural skin change of pregnancy woman will not harm the mother also will
not harm the baby too.
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