Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life. Your body will go through a myriad of changes, some of which involve your skin. Not many women expect changes to their skin during pregnancy and are quite surprised when they begin happening. Here are some of the most common skin changes that occur.
Stretch Marks
The most common skin changes women experience during pregnancy are that of stretch marks. These marks appear most often on the stomach but can be found on the legs, arms, and breasts as the skin expands to accommodate the growing baby. Close to 90 percent of women will experience stretch marks during their pregnancy. These marks can be red or pink in color. If you want to make an attempt at preventing these marks, consider exercising or using lotions with Vitamin E in them on the affected areas of the body.
The Mask of Pregnancy
Have you ever heard of the mask of pregnancy? This is a common skin change that occurs in pregnant women. The mask of pregnancy, also known as melasma, causes dark spots to appear on the pregnant woman’s face. The spots are caused by an increase in pigmentation in the body, leaving spots on the forehead and the cheeks. Close to 50 percent of women will see the mask of pregnancy in some form or another during pregnancy. In order to help prevent the mask of pregnancy, be sure to wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher each time you are outdoors.
Acne and Pimple Breakouts
If you were prone to or had existing acne prior to pregnancy, chances are it will increase during the pregnancy. The reasons breakouts become more problematic during pregnancy is because the body produces more oil than normal. Do your best to stick to as strict of a cleansing routine as possible to avoid the breakouts getting worse. Just remember to only cleanse your face twice per day. If you do it more than this, your skin will become dry and irritable. Over washing your face can be just as harmful as neglecting a skin care routine.
Itchy Abdomen
Women can experience an itchy abdomen when pregnant. This can become quite irritating if you don’t take care of it. The itchiness occurs as the skin tightens and stretches with the growth of the belly. Moisturize the area of your abdomen once or twice per day to keep it from getting too dry.
Skin Tags
Some women will develop skin tags when they are pregnant. Skin tags are loose pieces of skin still connected to the body. These pieces of skin are typically found underneath arms and around the breasts. Skin tags usually go away on their own following the pregnancy, but if they don’t, a dermatologist can remove them for you. They are not harmful to the body.
If you are experiencing skin changes during your pregnancy, contact Windsor Dermatology to discuss your concerns, along with an individualized approach on how to best deal with them. The office in East Windsor can be reached at 609-443-4500.
