Effects of Pregnancy on your Skin
Changes in skin during pregnancy vary from woman to woman. It is not certain for every woman to come across skin changes during pregnancy. However, most of the woman undergo some major skin changes during pregnancy.
The main reason behind change in skin is the unbalance in hormone level during pregnancy. These changes disappear a few weeks after delivery.
Various changes in Skin during Pregnancy
Glossy or Pinkish Skin
During pregnancy period you gain more weight and your body also produces more blood, around 50 percentages. This causes more blood circulation in your body. Due to increase in blood circulation, your skin starts glowing and looks pinkish. The blood vessels below your skin surface contribute in this pinkish look of yours.
Acne or Pimple
Acne is very common during pregnancy. Many women suffer from heavy acne that affects their look. Due to increasing hormone levels, your body produces oil which makes your skin very oily and cause acne or pimple on your skin. Wash your skin many times in a day so as to prevent the oil from accumulating. Avoid any hard scrubs which may harm your skin as during pregnancy your skin becomes very sensitive.
Chloasma - Mask of Pregnancy
You can find changes in your skin during the second trimester of your pregnancy. Mask of Pregnancy or chloasma surfaces at this stage. You will find brownish or yellow patches on your skin. The skin color will tend to turn dark brown. It generally occurs in women with whitish skin and dark hair. Many women have uneven brownish marks on some portions of the face like forehead, cheeks, chin, nose and around eyes. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone hormones stimulate the melanin cells in your skin that produces pigment additionally. This will cause marks in your skin. You will have darker skin if you do not protect it when you go out in sun.
Linea Nigra – Dark lines on your Belly
Linea Nigra are the dark lines that may appear on your belly during pregnancy. A white line appears from your navel and reaches out to center part of public bone that becomes dark later. These lines look darker in women with dark skin color. Such lines are nearly one centimeter wide and start appearing during second trimester of your pregnancy. You can also find your skin getting dark in many portions like freckles, nipple, moles, etc. There is no alternative to prevent it.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are very common and start appearing on your stomach and near breasts with the increase in their sizes. The color of stretch marks depends on your skin color. Stretch marks can be also seen on other areas of body such as thighs, hips and buttocks. Take well-balanced diet full of vitamins, specially vitamin C and E. You can rub oil or cream that contains vitamin E to remove stretch marks after pregnancy.
Dark Skin
In many women, the skin gets darker during pregnancy due to change in hormone levels. Your skin will be affected more if your skin color is already dark. You can also notice darkened skin in various portions such as nipples, freckles, moles, labia, thighs, buttocks, etc.
Spider Veins
Spider veins are reddish tiny blood vessels with outer branch also known as spider nevi. These are caused due to increased amount of blood circulation during pregnancy. You can find spider veins on your cheeks, neck, face, arms and upper area of chest.
Rashes and Itchiness
Your skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy due to change in hormone level. With increasing weight of your body, the tummy will also enlarge. It will stretch and tighten your skin which will make you feel itchy. Rashes and itchiness is very common during pregnancy. You can apply some natural cream to make your skin smooth.
Skin Tags
Another common skin problem occur during pregnancy is skin tag, which is very small, soft growth of skin. It will appear under your arms, breasts or neck. Skin tags are also caused by hormonal changes. They are caused by hyperactive growth of a superficial layer of skin. In many women it will not disappear easily after pregnancy. In such cases you need to take advice of skin specialist to remove it.
Skin problems during pregnancy are very normal and you should not worry about them unless they are severe. Stick to a healthy diet and eat fruits and vegetables in sufficient amount to combat the skin changes.