health+wellness
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What's going on with my skin? Dermal Specialist Lucy Macdougald (biologi.com.au) explains why we can blame hormones for the havoc they play...
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here are so many weird and wonderful changes that women experience during pregnancy, including the changes that happen to their skin. We’ve all heard about the “pregnancy glow”... That’s when an expectant mother’s skin is radiant, luminous, and seemingly better than ever. Then on the flip side, a frustrating bout of acne or an array of other skin concerns will commonly appear as well. So what is actually going on?
CH-CH-CHANGES
Well, from the moment a little miracle is conceived, there’s no doubt that pregnancy and childbirth take their toll on a woman. As a baby develops in the womb, changes in hormone levels, the introduction of unfamiliar emotions combined with the significant physical changes to the body, make pregnancy one of the most significant transitions a woman is ever likely to experience. One of the most prominent changes a woman may notice is in her skin. As the body expands to make room for a new mum to protect, nurture and grow her precious bundle of joy, weight gain and hormonal changes can lead to many changes in the skin including stretch marks, an increase in cellulite, dimples, and loss of hydration leading to dry patches.
HELLO HORMONES
Firstly, let’s talk a little about those hormones. When a woman falls pregnant, they typically experience a sudden and dramatic increase in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. On top of this, other changes to their hormones will happen, including the amount and function
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Pregnancy BUMP & baby
of a number of other hormones. It’s this combination of hormones, oil, and a 40 percent increase in blood volume that can be attributed to that “glow”. But it’s also these factors that can send a woman’s skin into disarray.
ACNE
Changes in hormone levels brought on by pregnancy can increase sebum production which can lead to acne. The more oil you produce, the higher the likelihood of aggressive spots and pimples. While there isn’t a product that can control the hormonal changes you’re experiencing through pregnancy, you can treat the acne itself. Some of the mainstream acne treatments contain strong chemicals and aren’t always recommended for use during pregnancy, so you need to find a more natural solution that still works.
PIGMENTATION
These same changes in hormones can lead to the overproduction of melanin (the pigment that causes us to tan when we go in the sun) which causes sporadic dark brown sun spots, called pigmentation. One of the most effective treatments for hyperpigmentation is vitamin C. It works as an antioxidant to lighten brown spots, increase cell turnover, and help stop the formation of new pigment.
STRETCH MARKS
Stretch marks are often caused during times of rapid weight gain like pregnancy. To keep the skin as strong as possible and to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, hydration and vitamin C are key.
A WORD ON ACNE It’s common for acne to appear in early pregnancy (or to be worse than usual) and sometimes it’ll improve as pregnancy progresses. It’s thought to relate to increased oestrogen levels. If you’re taking medication for acne orally or topically, it’s important to chat to your GP or dermatologist, as it may not be safe to continue this treatment while you grow your babe. Dermnet NZ advises that the following topical treatments must be avoided in pregnancy or while trying to conceive: • Topical retinoids (tretinoin, isotretinoin and adapalene). • High concentration salicylic acid.
