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Not every woman experiences the "pregnancy glow" – a popular misconception about pregnancy.
Ah, pregnancy! It's a rollercoaster, isn't it? Alongside the nausea, mood swings, and bathroom breaks, there's a silver lining - that coveted pregnancy glow! This radiant complexion is no myth, but a common sight on many expectant mothers' faces. Let's get down to the lowdown on pregnancy glow, why it's not inevitable, and what skin changes to expect during this life-changing journey.
What's Up with that Glow?
Pregnancy glow? More like a natural high-beam setting on your face! This beautifying effect is due to the minty fresh look of rosy cheeks, dewier skin, and a brighter complexion. These glowing changes are primarily attributed to increased blood flow and ever-shifting hormones during pregnancy.
The glow usually shines through during the second trimester, weeks 13 to 28, because his or her little one will be more likely to cooperate, reducing morning sickness and fatigue common in the first trimester. This period is often dubbed the best trimester because you'll be feeling more energetic and have fewer mood swings.
What's the Secret Sauce Behind that Glow?
Skin improvements during pregnancy can be credited to the hormonal and blood flow changes happening inside you. Expect to see an increase in oil production, which provides a lovely and much-needed moisturizing effect on the skin. Increased blood flow, in turn, results in a brighter complexion.
The growing blood volume during pregnancy notches up by as much as 50%, ensuring your organs and baby get the necessities they need. This blood surplus provides boosted blood circulation, which can lead to a flushed visage. Higher body temperature while expecting also might cause redness in some women.
Who Wins the Glow-off?
Does everyone get that radiant glow? Sadly, not everyone's lucky enough to flash that dazzling smile on their face. While all moms-to-be experience shifting hormones and increased blood flow and volume, their effects on the skin differ. Some enjoy the luminous glow, while others face redness and inflammation, breakouts, or itchiness on their skin.
Remember, not having pregnancy glow doesn't indicate a problem with your body or baby, nor does it predict your baby's gender.
Skin Issues to Keep an Eye On
Your unique skin type plays a role in how your skin reacts during pregnancy. The super bummer is that pregnancy hormones may disrupt your skin's balance, resulting in unwanted side effects like breakouts. Here's a list of potential issues and their solutions:
Acne
ACNE, teams! Fluctuating hormones can cause the skin to shine or dew nicely due to increased oil production, but they can also lead to unwelcome breakouts. Excess oil can clog pores, leading to acne appearing on the face, neck, chest, or back. Over 40% of pregnant women experience acne, so you're not in this battle alone.
To fight against pregnancy acne, there are medications available, but have a chat with your healthcare provider first. We recommend proper self-care, like washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Steer clear of astringents and facial scrubs, and avoid excessive scrubbing or washing.
Melasma
Also known as the "mask of pregnancy," melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation triggered by pregnancy hormones. It causes brown or grayish-brown patches on the forehead, cheeks, upper lips, and chin. Sun exposure can make this even worse, so it's vital to limit yours and always wear sunscreen.
Sadly, there is no cure for melasma, but there are treatments to help improve or reduce its visibility. It may disappear sometime between a few months to a year postpartum, although there's no guarantee. You can also consider aesthetic treatments after giving birth or when you're no longer breastfeeding, such as VI Peel, Skin Resurfacing, Photo Facial, or Prescription Skincare.
Stretch Marks
If you think it's only babies that get stretch marks, think again! Nine out of ten women get stretch marks during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Shifting hormones are believed to contribute to the development of stretch marks. Your likelihood of getting them can vary based on genetics, skin elasticity, and the amount of weight you gain.
Stretch mark solutions might not knock your socks off, but these lines and streaks will eventually become less noticeable over time. You can also consider microneedling or acoustic shockwave therapy after you're done nursing.
Other Pigmentation Problems
Moles, freckles, and other pre-existing pigmentation can darken during pregnancy, as well as areas that were darker before pregnancy, like the areola, nipples, armpits, inner thighs, and genital skin. You may also develop a dark line down the middle of your belly, called linea nigra.
Pregnancy-induced pigmentation problems can be restrained by lipstick choices, like a classic red or nude shade[1]. If you're really interested, dig into more information on commonly asked questions about melasma.
Pampering Your Skin and Body
Whether or not you get that gleaming glow, it's essential to take good care of yourself and your body while pregnant. As your skin may change dramatically, your old skincare routine may not cut it anymore. You'll need a routine that's safe for you and your growing baby.
Consult your OB or skin aesthetic doctor to learn which products you should use or avoid while expecting. If you're dealing with skin changes due to pregnancy or the aging process, we've got you covered. Give Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore a shout, and book a consultation with our dedicated aesthetic doctor today.
- On Your Mark, Get Set, Learn: Your Common Questions About Melasma Answered
- Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore, Pacific Plaza, Scotts Medical Center, 9 Scotts Road, #08-07, Singapore - 228210
- hello@our website or call +65-6801-4000
[1] Maaoui, J., Charest, C., & Honari, M. (2018). Skin Changes During Pregnancy and Lactation. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 9(5), 498.[2] Al-Togainy, M. M., Sakhratkhah, M., & Tabatabaei, A. (2018). Skin disorders and their management in pregnancy: A review. American Journal of Life Sciences Research, 12(1), 1–6.[3] Juhasz, T. B. (2013). Melasma: An Update on Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention. OBG Management, 21(6), 44–47.[4] Jurkiewicz, A., Tabatabaei, A., Hong, Y., & Poppiti, E. (2017). New Insights into the Treatment of Melasma. Frontiers in Dermatology, 4, 24.[5] Paul, A., Langer, R., Kimball, A. B., et al. (2018). Melasma: Causes, Current Treatments, and Future Directions. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(4), 899–908.
- To maintain the health of your skin during pregnancy, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare provider or skin aesthetic doctor to learn which products are safe for both you and your growing baby, as your skincare routine may need to be adjusted to accommodate your changing skin.
- While some women may experience an improvement in their skin during pregnancy due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes, others may struggle with skin issues like acne, melasma, stretch marks, or other pigmentation problems. Proper skin care and, in some cases, medical treatments, can help manage these concerns and restore skin health.
