How to care for your skin when you are planning a baby? Care before, during and after pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time for a woman’s body. There are significant changes in it, especially in the endocrine system. These changes regulate the course of pregnancy and enable the growth and development of the fetus, and at the same time have a huge impact on the woman’s body, including the skin.

Discoloration, chloasma. Do you need to be afraid of them?

During pregnancy, the levels of progesterone, estrogens and melanotropin, i.e. a hormone that stimulates melanocytes – cells that produce the melanin pigment, increase significantly. For this reason, a frequent problem among pregnant women is skin hyperpigmentation. It most often manifests itself in darkening in the white line, areola nipples or in the groin area.

It is estimated that about 20% of pregnant women experience chloasma, i.e. discoloration on the face. These are brown spots, resulting from the accumulation of melanin. Both exposure to sunlight and genetic predisposition contribute to their formation.

Additionally, due to the aforementioned hormonal changes, the already existing pigmentation marks may darken. Due to the stretching of the skin, some birthmarks may enlarge. It is important to have birthmarks checked by a dermatologist during pregnancy.

Pregnancy changes related to excessive skin pigmentation usually resolve spontaneously a few weeks after birth.

Hair and nails. What do you need to prepare for when you are pregnant?

Changes in pregnancy also include skin appendages. There is a faster growth of hair and nails. Due to the higher concentration of estrogens, the anagen phase, i.e. hair growth, is prolonged. Although faster-growing and thicker hair is enjoyed by pregnant women, unfortunately, a few months after giving birth, they start to fall out excessively due to the sudden transition of a large amount of hair into the telogen phase. We are talking then about telogen effluvium and it is considered to be physiological.

It happens that increased hair growth occurs in less desirable places, e.g. on the face or abdomen. We are then dealing with hirsutism, i.e. excessive hair growth. This problem usually resolves spontaneously after the puerperium.

Although nails grow faster during pregnancy, they are usually in worse condition – they are brittle, dull, and they delaminate more easily. After giving birth, the rate of hair and nail growth returns to normal.

Increased sweating and oily skin. How to cope?

Ecrine sweat glands are located almost all over the body, and there are especially many of them on the hands and feet. During pregnancy, these glands work more intensively. Due to, inter alia, due to hormonal changes, they increase their secretory functions, which may be manifested by excessive sweating or sweat.

The secretory activity of the sebaceous glands also increases. Due to the increased secretion of sebum, pregnant women may observe oily skin on the face. There may also be acne lesions. Then it is worth using the help of a dermatologist and cosmetologist who will select the appropriate treatment and treatments tailored to the skin requirements of pregnant women.

Dermatoses and itching in pregnancy. When to see a doctor

The changes that a pregnant woman undergoes may contribute to the exacerbation of chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. It happens that during this period the symptoms of these diseases appear for the first time. However, it also happens that pregnancy hormonal changes have a positive effect on the course of some dermatoses. Unfortunately, there is no rule and it is difficult to predict how pregnancy will affect a specific case of the disease.

The skin in pregnancy stretches, especially on the abdomen, which may be the reason

itching. Its increased intensity can also be observed on the hairy scalp, in the genital area, on the skin of the groin and thighs. Increased itching, especially of the hands, feet or generalized itching, should be consulted with your doctor, as it may be a symptom of a complication of pregnancy.

Stretch marks. Can they be avoided?

Skin stretching combined with hormonal changes can cause stretch marks during pregnancy. It is estimated that 50 – 90% of pregnant women develop such changes on the skin. Due to the intensive enlargement of the abdomen and breasts, it is in these places that strands of thin skin appear most often, resembling scars. Unlike them, however, stretch marks are not caused by trauma. Stretch marks are areas of the skin where damage to elastin and collagen fibers is observed. In healthy skin, they are responsible for the elasticity, elasticity and strength of the skin. However, as a result of intense skin stretching and hormonal changes, elastin and collagen fibers lose their proper structure, are torn and improperly arranged. As a consequence, red is formed first stretch markswhich may be preceded by itching or burning in the area. With time stretch marks they turn white. The skin in this area is thinner, free of hair and secretory elements. It is worth remembering that among the causes of stretch marks, apart from the mechanical factors (skin stretching) and biochemical factors (hormonal changes) related to pregnancy, genetics play an important role. The dark skin phototype or the presence of such changes in the family, especially in the mother, predispose to stretch marks.

Even before pregnancy, it is worth taking care of your skin by preparing it for intense changes. First of all, you should focus on moisturizing and lubricating the skin. A well-hydrated skin will be more supple and will more easily bear the stretching during pregnancy caused by weight gain. A slight decrease in the hydration of epidermal cells causes the keratin fibers to lose their elasticity, the skin is less elastic, it becomes rough and scaly. Therefore, it is worth regularly applying cosmetics rich in substances that retain water in the epidermis. They include, among others urea, sorbitol, glycerol, ceramides or unsaturated fatty acids present in vegetable oils. Massages will also be a beneficial treatment. They will increase the blood supply to the skin, thanks to which it will be better nourished and prepared for the changes that await it.

Pregnancy care. Good practices

The skin of pregnant women is often more sensitive than before pregnancy. Due to large changes in a woman’s body, especially hormonal changes, pregnant skin can be unpredictable and more reactive. There is often a greater tendency to irritation or allergic reactions.

For these reasons, during pregnancy, any new cosmetic products should be introduced carefully, first applying the cosmetic on a small area of ​​the skin. If there are no symptoms such as redness, itching or burning for a few days, you can apply the cosmetic to a larger area. When pregnant, it is worth choosing delicate, hypoallergenic cosmetics. This will reduce the risk of irritation or allergies.

Throughout the year, regardless of the weather, you should use cosmetics that protect against solar radiation. However, especially in pregnancy, it is an essential step in skin care. Due to the susceptibility of pregnant skin to the formation and deepening of discoloration, creams with a high filter should be used, protecting against solar radiation. Due to the lower risk of irritation of unpredictable and more reactive skin, it is worth reaching for mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) during pregnancy.

From the very beginning of this period, it is worth applying prophylaxis against these changes. It is important not to gain weight too rapidly. Every day the skin should be lubricated with a moisturizing cosmetic. Thanks to this, we will take care of the appropriate level of skin hydration, which will have a positive effect on its appearance, elasticity and durability, and a gentle massage accompanying the application of the preparation will improve the blood supply to the skin and improve its nourishment.

Natural Oil Bio-Oil is a remarkable cosmetic for the daily care of pregnant skin. It includes i.a. sunflower oil, soybean oil or chia seed oil, which provide the skin with unsaturated fatty acids. On the other hand, the pomegranate and safflower seed oils present in the preparation have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which are helpful in preventing and soothing stretch marks. The high content of vitamins, plant proteins, and fatty acids in wheat germ oil will help retain water in the epidermis and regenerate skin cells. The composition of Bio-Oil Natural Oil has been selected so that the preparation is quickly absorbed and does not leave unpleasant sensory impressions. Above all, however, the ingredients have been selected in terms of the content of fatty acids naturally present in the skin and supporting its proper functioning. Natural Bio-Oil is also perfect for skin care before pregnancy – it will ensure its proper hydration and provide valuable nutrients. Skin prepared in this way will better withstand the big changes that accompany pregnancy.

Skin stretching and the formation of stretch marks may be accompanied by itching. Cosmetics containing e.g. menthol will be helpful in reducing it. This relationship occurs naturally in nature, incl. in mint or eucalyptus. Menthol acts on thermoreceptors to keep you cool. It soothes itching and even reduces sweating, which is sometimes increased in pregnancy.

Postpartum skin care

The time after childbirth is also a period of major changes in the woman’s body. Successively, all systems return to the state they were 9 months ago. At this time, it is worth supporting the skin in a gradual return to the state it was before pregnancy.

In order to support the disappearance of discoloration caused by pregnancy, it is worth using cosmetics containing brightening ingredients, eg vitamin C. Peelings, including chemical peels carried out in a beauty salon, will also be useful. However, it should be remembered that breastfeeding may be a contraindication to some treatments.

If stretch marks appeared on the skin during pregnancy, it is worth taking steps to minimize their visibility. A way to deal with stretch marks arising during pregnancyMassages are the means of supporting the stretched, marked skin. Dry brushing of the body is also great for this. These treatments will improve the skin’s blood supply and have a positive effect on its nourishment.

It is worth to regularly moisturize the skin with preparations supporting its proper functioning, e.g. the aforementioned Natural Oil Bio-Oil. A clinical study involving 36 women with stretch marks of various origins, including those caused by pregnancy, showed that applying Bio-Oil Natural Oil twice a day for 8 weeks improves the appearance of these lesions. Already 2 weeks of using the preparation had a positive effect, among others color, elasticity or thickness of stretch marks in 71% of patients. [1]

Natural Oil Bio-Oil can also be successfully used on a scar after a caesarean section. Its daily application, combined with a gentle massage of the scar and the surrounding area, will improve the appearance of the lesion and increase its elasticity. Plant extracts contained in the preparation – lavender, rosemary and calendula oils have a regenerating, smoothing and soothing effect, and chamomile oil and bisabolol – anti-inflammatory. Together with the midwife and physiotherapist, it is worth considering scar rehabilitation in order to make it fully mobile.

Bibliography

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Skorupińska, Agata, and Natalia Sekuła. “Changes in the body of a pregnant woman.” Aesthetic Cosmetology 3.6 (2017): 283-286.

Bień, A., et al. “Beauty treatments and skin care for a pregnant woman.” European Journal of Medical Technologies 2.3 (2014): 66-71.

Ghasemi, A., et al. “Stretch marks of pregnancy: associated factors.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Signalology 21.6 (2007): 743-746.

Chang, Anne Lynn S., Yolanda Z. Agredano, and Alexa Boer Kimball. «Risk factors associated with striae gravidarum.» Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 51.6 (2004): 881-885.

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Kołodziejczak, Anna, et al. Cosmetology. Volume 1. PZWL Medical Publishing, 2020.

[1] Study conducted in 2010 by the proDERM Institute for Applied Dermatological Research, Hamburg, Germany.

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