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| Skin Changes During Pregnancy |
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What types of skin changes happen during pregnancy? Changes in the skin are common during pregnancy. Many of the changes are caused by the higher levels of hormones during pregnancy. For example:
Where does the skin get darker? One of the changes you may notice early in pregnancy is the darkening of the skin on or around your nipples. Later in your pregnancy, you may see a dark line on your skin that runs from your belly bottom to your pubic hairline. This line is called the linea nigra, or black line. You might also have blotchy brown spots on your forehead, nose, or cheeks, a skin change called melasma, chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy. The darkening of the skin is caused by increased amounts of hormones during your pregnancy and an increase in the substance called melanin that is made by your body to give color to your skin, hair, and eyes. Skin darkening is more common in darker-skinned women. Most of these changes will fade or go away after delivery. The skin darkening is made worse by exposure to the sun. Using sunscreen when outdoors may help prevent skin darkening. DO NOT use skin-bleaching treatments as an attempt to resolve the problem while you are pregnant. What are stretch marks? Stretch marks are pink or purple streaks in the skin, usually over the thighs, hips, abdomen, and breasts. They are caused by the stretching of the skin as you gain weight. They usually appear during the sixth or seventh months of pregnancy. More than half of all pregnant women develop stretch marks. They are much more likely to happen in women with light skin color. While creams and lotions can keep your skin well moisturized, they do not prevent stretch marks from forming. Most stretch marks fade after delivery to very light colored lines, but they often do not go away completely. When you are not pregnant, putting retinoid products on the stretch marks may help them fade. DO NOT use these treatment creams while you are still pregnant. What causes itching? The higher levels of hormones and stretching skin during pregnancy, especially over your abdomen, can cause itching. The palms of your hands and soles of your feet may also become red and itchy. The best treatment is to use a moisturizer after bathing and several other times throughout the day. Use only gentle soaps to wash your hands or clean your skin, and avoid hot showers or baths that can dry your skin. The itching usually goes away after delivery. What are skin tags? Skin tags are tiny, floppy growths of skin that can occur anywhere but more often are found near the armpits or breasts. They are harmless. If they cause discomfort or do not go away after pregnancy, they can easily be removed at your doctor's office. What changes are there in hair growth? You may find that hair is growing in places where only men normally grow hair, such as the face and chest. This growth is caused by the higher levels of hormones in your body. It usually stops and goes away within six months of delivery. One to five months after the baby is born, you may lose more hair from your scalp than usual. This loss of hair happens because during pregnancy more hairs go into the resting phase that is part of the normal growth and loss cycle of scalp hair. Six to twelve months after delivery your hair will become thicker again. This condition does not cause permanent hair loss or obvious bald patches. What are spider and varicose veins? Spider veins are common during pregnancy. They start out as small red veins that grow into the appearance of a road map or red, blue, and purple streaks. They usually occur on the legs during the second trimester but fade after delivery. During pregnancy, pressure on the large veins behind the uterus causes blood to slow in its return to the heart. This means there is more blood in the veins of the legs than when you were not pregnant. This can lead to swollen veins, called varicose veins, in the legs. They are usually raised above the surface of the skin. They can be twisted or bulging and are dark purple or blue. You can try to prevent varicose veins by:
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