4 Surprising Ways Pregnancy Can Affect Your Skin
Pregnancy can be one of the most joyous times of a woman’s life. Along with the pregnant glow women have, they also may experience changes in their skin. Any skin changes you experience can be discussed with the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute. They can assist in determining what changes you are experiencing and the solution for them if needed.
Four common changes affecting your skin during pregnancy include changes in your skin’s pigmentation, acne, varicose veins and stretch marks. Many of these changes are due to the constant fluctuation in hormones and blood flow. In this post, we will take an in-depth look at each of these skin changes and what they entail.
Pigmentation Changes
Pregnant women may notice a change in the pigment of their nipples, inner thighs and neck. With the constant change in hormones, it is common for different pigmentation to appear in these areas along with the upper lip, nose and cheekbones. In addition to hormones being a cause, sun exposure may increase the changes in pigmentation as well. The skin may be darker in these areas during pregnancy but after pregnancy your skin will usually return to its normal color.
Acne Increase
Another change you may not be used to during pregnancy is an increase in facial or back acne. Since acne often occurs during our teen years when our hormones are raging, it is triggered during pregnancy as the hormones begin to evolve again. As with any acne, do your best to use a gentle cleanser that will not irritate your skin. After pregnancy your acne should subside due to your hormones going back to normal.
The Appearance of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are caused during pregnancy when the uterus exerts pressure on leg veins. They can develop at any time during pregnancy but appear more prominently as you get bigger. Varicose veins are harmless but may become itchy, uncomfortable or painful. To prevent them from forming, or to prevent subsequent pain if they appear, it is important to keep moving, wear comfortable and loose clothes and keep your pregnancy weight down. Luckily, varicose veins usually disappear after pregnancy, although sometimes they stick around and may need to be medically treated to be fully removed.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks occur during the last trimester of pregnancy near the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs. As the name implies, stretch marks occur due to stretching of the skin. In addition to moisturizing your skin, it is recommended to gain weight slowly during pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks from appearing. While creams can be applied to help prevent or treat the stretch marks, they usually do not ever completely erase or fully stop the development.
Pigmentation changes, acne, varicose veins, and stretch marks are not guaranteed to happen during pregnancy, but it is important to be aware of what to expect in case they do occur. Whether you experience one or all four of these changes during your pregnancy, the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute are here to help. If you are in Bloomington, Illinois or surrounding areas, get in touch with us.