Your Skin During Pregnancy

During pregnancy your skin can change in various ways:

Puffiness:

You may find you develop puffy eyes and cheeks. For this use a cooling Eye + Face Gel.

Spots & Acne:

Pregnancy can sometimes trigger acne. Higher levels of hormones can produce sebum (the natural oil which keeps skin supple). Too much sebum causes your pores to become blocked, resulting in itchy/greasy skin and spots. For this cleanse day and night with a gentle cleanser and use an oil free moisturiser.

Tip: Don’t use stores or brands. Don’t use acne products unless advised by your GP.

Stretch Marks:

Everyone dreads getting stretch marks during pregnancy. They usually appear on the abdomen, breasts and thighs. They affect approximately 90% of pregnant women and generally appear as you put more weight on, which causes the skin to stretch. After pregnancy generally the stretch marks gradually fade and the streaks become lighter.

The other 10% of women who don’t get stretch marks are those who have more elastic skin than others. You can’t prevent stretch marks but you can try and help minimise them by rubbing oil or cream which is rich in Vitamin E around the areas above.

A healthy diet and gentle exercise also helps.

Tip: Co Co Butter is also good for the stretch mark areas

Sensitive/Irritated/Itchy Skin & Rashes:

During pregnancy your skin tends to become more sensitive. This is due to higher hormone levels and stretched, delicate skin. Try to avoid harsh soaps and detergents as it can cause conditions such as eczema to become worse and cause other skin irritations.

Tip: Irritation could also be from your perfume or washing powder.

Aroma Oil and a warm bath will help keep your skin supple as long as they are not for too long. With oil in the bath take extra care getting in and out.

Keep your body well moisturised and in sunlight protect your skin with SPF15 or higher. Itchiness can occur from Thrush which causes vaginal itching or piles which can be itchy around the anus area. You could also be sensitive to swimming pool chlorine so be wary. Wear loose fitted cotton clothes, use calamine lotion to held reduce redness And itching and talk to your GP about anything else, or if redness and itching persists.

Chafing:

The more weight you gain during pregnancy, chafing is more likely to occur and can take place between your thighs and/or under your breasts, resulting in red/moist skin. Your skin may blister, become inflamed and may produce an odour. Keep the areas dry and use talcum powder to help absorb moisture. Also see your GP especially if you are sweating a lot as it may cause the fungal infection Thrush.

Spider Veins:

These are broken capillaries (tiny blood vessels) and appear on the cheeks and are common during pregnancy. They are increased by the volume of circulation to the blood putting extra pressure on the capillaries.

By Korin Fox, who is a Mobile Beauty Therapist in The Herts and North West London areas:
korin@beauty-full.co.uk
01707 264587 / 07814 133268

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