Skin changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy, our skin may change due to hormonal increased. Whilst common pregnancy skin changes poses no health problems, it is adviseable to always talk to your gynae if your skin is inflamed, blistered, or you have a rash, irritation or itchiness that lasts more than a couple of days.

Following are a list of common skin changes arising during pregnancy :
- Chloasma (pigmentation changes on your face and neck)
- Linea nigra (dark line running up your tummy)
- Glowing skin
- Spider veins
- Spots and acne
- Stretch marks
- Chafing
- Sensitive, irritated skin
- Rashes and itchiness
- Intense itching

Chloasma (pigmentation changes on your face and neck)
Also known as the "mask of pregnancy", chloasma has the appearance of brown patches of pigmentation on the forehead, cheeks, and neck. On darker-skinned women, they appear as lighter patches. It's caused by the increased production of melanin, the tanning hormone, which protects the skin against ultraviolet light.

Exposure to sunlight will darken the patches, making them more obvious, so protect your skin with a high factor sunscreen (SPF15 or more) and/or hat whenever you go out. If you feel the patches look unsightly, try blending in the colour with a tinted foundation. They will begin to fade within three months of your baby's birth.

>>> I'm lucky that I did not get it. As a prevention, I apply sunscreen religiously everytime before I'm out of the house :)

Linea nigra (dark line running up your tummy)
This is a dark, vertical line, up to a centimetre wide that appears down the middle of your stomach, often crossing the navel. It tends to appear around the second trimester. It is caused by pigmentation in the skin where your abdominal muscles stretch and slightly separate, to accommodate your baby as it grows.

This line of pigmentation will fade within a few weeks of delivery, although you may need to give it a gentle rub to remove any dry skin. You will notice that other areas with pigmentation - such as your nipples, moles and freckles - may darken too, but this will also fade with time.

>>> I'm a 'victim' of linea nigra on my tummy!

Glowing skin
The "bloom" or "glow" of pregnancy is not just a saying. Your skin retains more moisture during pregnancy, which plumps it up, smoothing out any fine lines and wrinkles that you may have. The pinkish glow that makes you look radiant is due to increased levels of blood circulating round your body. This may also make you feel slightly flushed sometimes.

The downside of this effect is that you may look puffy from water retention and that any red patches that you already have on your face may become more visible.

Don't try to cut down on drinking water - your body needs fluids - but rest as much as you can. Any red patches will eventually calm down once you've given birth, but if you want to hide them, try using a moisturising foundation.

>>> I have friends saying that I seem to look more radiant during the pregnancy, perhaps its the "glow" bah! And knowing the importance of keeping hydrated, I drank about 2 litres of water daily, good mummy right? heee..

Stretch marks
The thin reddish or brownish (depending on your skin colour) lines of stretch marks usually appear on the abdomen, breasts and thighs. They affect between 75 and 90 per cent of pregnant women and may appear as you put on more weight during pregnancy, causing the skin to stretch.

Higher levels of hormones also disrupt your skin's protein balance, making it thinner than usual. After pregnancy, the reddish or brown pigmentation in the stretch marks gradually fades, and the streaks become lighter than the surrounding skin. It can take some time for them to fade.

Some lucky women have more elastic skin than others, meaning they won't get stretch marks, but for most of us they are simply a fact of pregnancy. You can try to minimise them by avoiding putting on weight too quickly, rubbing oil or cream rich in vitamin E over your abdomen to keep it supple, eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins E and C, and in zinc and silica to help to keep your skin healthy.

A research review of creams for preventing stretch marks found only one study, based in Spain, which showed creams to be of benefit. This was by massaging with a cream called Trofolastin, containing the active ingredients Centella asiatica extract, alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) and collagen-elastin hydrolysates. This cream is currently unavailable in the UK.

>>> Oh well, the skin around my tummy was flawless up until the last few weeks!! As the baby grows, my tummy was stretched to the limit and it got itchy.. and that is when the stretch marks appears :(

Sensitive, irritated skin
Skin tends to become more sensitive during pregnancy, not only due to higher hormone levels, but because it has become more stretched and delicate. Soaps and detergents may suddenly cause irritation, or conditions such as eczema may become worse. Your skin may become more prickly than usual when exposed to sunlight.

Try to identify what could be causing your irritation - could it be your washing powder or a perfume that you use? Also, choose loose, cotton clothes and keep your body well-moisturised. Long soaks in a warm bath will dry out your skin so keep these to a minimum, or add bath oil that will help keep your skin supple. (But make sure you don't slip when you're getting in and out of the bath).

>>> My skin got more sensitive (itch) towards the end of the pregnancy..

For more read-up : http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/skinchanges/