This week is Mother’s Day and to honor that we are examining the ways in which motherhood has an impact on your skin.
During pregnancy your body is a whole stew of hormones and physical changes. You are growing life and that life requires a lot from your personal body. We all want to be the lucky ones with that fabulous pregnancy glow, but it may not be like that. Not to freak you out but to offer a helpful heads up to look out for and know. Here’s some ways your skin reacts to pregnancy and what you can do about it.
ACNE
Now that your body is hormone rich, your skin is likely to react.
Solution: Tell your dermatologist you are pregnant. Certain products should not be used once pregnant (such as: Vitamin A, retinoids, hormonal therapy, and some oral antibiotics) and you’ll want to look at safe options. Maintain a regular routine of cleansing twice daily with lukewarm water and use oil free products on your face.
HYPERPIGMENTATION
Skin darkening and changes in tone can occur in many iterations during pregnancy due to an increase in hormones and melanin. Such as...
Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy) is an increase in melanin and causes scattered brownish patches over the face.
Solution: Wear a high spf and avoid sun exposure to your face but this requires a derm consultation.
PUPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plagues) are red raised itchy bumps across the abs, legs, breasts, and buttocks.
Solution: These resolve after birth but in the meantime, a doctor will likely prescribe an anti-histamine or topical coticosteroid. You can best manage yourself by bathing in lukewarm (as opposed to hot) water, avoid using soap on the lesions, wearing loose clothing, and periodically applying cool compresses to the affected areas.
Linea Negra is a dark line that runs from your bellybutton to pubic bone.
Solution: These usually fade after pregnancy
SKIN TAGS
Little skin lesions found on the neck, underarms, breasts, chest, back, groin.
Solution: While annoying they are not malignant. If they bother you, it is possible to have them removed by your derm post pregnancy.
VEIN CHANGES
Hormones, weight gain, and increased blood volume contribute to various vein changes.
Spider Veins are small red veins on the arms, neck, and face. Varicose are enlarged veins typically on the legs and lower pelvic region.
Solution: To help alleviate the symptoms take care to uncross legs while sitting, limit sitting and standing for long periods, elevate legs, wear support tights, and exercise.
STRETCH MARKS
Red or purplish lines across the breasts, abs, buttocks, thighs from sudden growth.
Solution: These are hard to avoid. You can give it your best shot by drinking at least 2 liters of water a day, exercising, boosting collagen by consuming foods with Vitamin E & C as well as zinc and silica, and keeping on top of your moisturizing routine DAILY.
Treating your skin to some extra love never hurt, so add in one of our face masks each month. All Soon skincare products are cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
