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...

There 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.... Buy Pregnancy BUMP&baby issue 12 for the full story.