Skin care during pregnancy

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Mai Huong - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
Many women during pregnancy fear that hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect their beauty. However, if you know how to take care of your skin properly, it will help you stay young and have a healthy pregnancy. Let's learn about skin care during pregnancy in the article below.

1. Some common skin changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy, many women experience changes in their skin, nails, and hair. Here are some of the most common changes:
Nipples become darker. Melasma - the brown stripe that runs from the navel along to near the vagina. cheeks, nose and forehead.. Linea nigra- brown stripe running from navel along to near septum Stretch marks. Acne. Spider veins. Varicose veins. Nail and hair growth.

2. Factors that lead to skin changes during pregnancy

According to experts, it is impossible to be sure of the exact cause of skin changes in pregnant women. However, some skin changes are mostly caused by changes in hormone levels that occur during pregnancy.

3. Why do melasma and freckles appear on the skin during pregnancy?

Melasma and freckles are caused by an increase in melanin - a natural substance that determines the color of skin and hair for humans. Melasma and freckles usually fade on their own after you give birth. However, some women have more severe melasma and freckles that can last for years without fading. To help prevent melasma and freckles from getting worse, wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat every day when you're outside.

4. What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks often appear when a mother's body weight grows rapidly during pregnancy. Stretch marks are usually red. By the third trimester, many pregnant women often have stretch marks on the abdomen, buttocks, breasts or thighs. To help fade stretch marks and keep skin soft, pregnant women should choose the right moisturizer for them. Most stretch marks will fade after the baby is born, but they may not go away completely.

5. Is acne common during pregnancy?

Many women get acne during pregnancy. Some have had pre-existing acne and found it worsened during pregnancy. During the early stages of pregnancy, hormones are changed and this is the main cause of acne.

6. How to treat acne during pregnancy

If you have acne during pregnancy, take these steps to improve your skin:
Wash your face twice a day with a mild pH cleanser and should be washed with warm water. If your hair is very oily, wash your hair every day and try to keep it from touching your face often. Avoid squeezing pimples to avoid scarring. Choose oil-free cosmetics. OTC Acne Treatment During Pregnancy
OTC medications are over-the-counter medications that contain the following ingredients that can be used during pregnancy: peroxide topical, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid , Glycolic Acid.
If using an OTC product that contains an ingredient not on the list above, ask your doctor if the product is safe for your skin.
Should I treat acne with prescription drugs during pregnancy?
Certain prescription acne medications should not be used while pregnant:
Hormone therapy: Certain medications that block hormones can be used to treat acne. However, their use during pregnancy is not recommended for pregnant women because it may pose a risk of birth defects.
Isotretinoin: is a form of vitamin A. It can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby, including intellectual disability, life-threatening brain and heart defects, and other physical defects.
Tetracyclines: This antibiotic can cause discoloration of the baby's teeth if taken after the fourth month of pregnancy and can also affect the baby's bone development.
Retinoids: are a form of vitamin A and belong to the same family as isotretinoin. Unlike isotretinoin, retinoids are applied to the skin and the body's ability to absorb the amount of the drug is quite low. However, pregnant women should avoid using these drugs during pregnancy. Some retinoids are available by prescription, but others can be found in some OTC products. So be careful when reading the ingredients in the product.

7. What causes spider veins?

Hormonal changes and higher blood volume in the body during pregnancy lead to varicose veins and the formation of spider veins that appear on the face, neck, and arms. This symptom will fade after the baby is born.
What causes varicose veins? The weight and pressure of the uterus can reduce blood flow from a mother's lower body and make the veins in her legs swollen and painful. This causes varicose veins. Varicose veins can also appear in the vulva and rectum causing hemorrhoids. This type of disease is unsightly, but it will disappear after birth.
Can varicose veins be prevented? Although it is not possible to completely prevent them, there are some ways that can be taken to reduce swelling and pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse:
Limit standing or sitting for too long, move around often Helps blood circulation Absolutely do not cross your legs when sitting for a while When sitting, elevate your legs with a chair or platform Exercise regularly, walk, swim or ride a bike Avoid constipation by eating food Rich in fiber and drink lots of water

8. Hair changes during pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause hair and body hair to grow and become thicker. Sometimes pregnant women experience hair growth in areas that were previously absent, such as the face, chest, abdomen, and arms. Hair and hair will return to normal within 6 months after giving birth.
About 3 months after giving birth, most women experience hair loss. This happens because hormones are returning to a stable level, helping to return the hair to its normal cycle of growth and shedding. In most cases, the hair will grow back completely within 3 to 6 months.

9. Nail changes during pregnancy

Some women find that their nails grow faster than usual during pregnancy. They can become more brittle or break easily. Like hair changes, nail changes subside after birth.

10. What is itchiness during pregnancy?

When it comes to pregnancy itch, small, itchy bumps that look like insect bites can appear almost anywhere on the skin. This condition can occur at any time during pregnancy and usually starts with a few bumps, which increase in number each day. It is caused by changes in the immune system that occur during pregnancy.

11. What is Pemphigoid during pregnancy?

Pemphigoid is a rare skin disease that usually begins during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or sometimes shortly after childbirth. With this condition, blisters appear on the abdomen, and in severe cases, blisters can cover a large area of ​​the body. It can affect pregnancy including premature birth and smaller-than-normal babies.

12. What is cholestasis in pregnancy?

Cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver condition that occurs during pregnancy. The main symptom of ICP is intense itching but no rash. Itching usually occurs on the palms and soles of the feet, but it can spread to other areas as well. Symptoms usually occur late in pregnancy but usually go away a few days after childbirth. ICP may increase the risk of preterm birth and fetal death.
In order to help the mother stay healthy during pregnancy and the fetus to develop comprehensively, it is very important to take care of yourself right from the first days of pregnancy. However, for those who are first-time mothers or have experienced pregnancy but do not feel confident about how to take care of themselves, choosing a package maternity care program will be the solution. resolve the concerns and worries of the mother.
At Vinmec, the maternity care package also gives expectant mothers useful knowledge through prenatal classes, pregnant women can completely ask questions to be answered by doctors. From beauty knowledge during pregnancy or nutrition to a healthy fetus, the mother does not gain too much weight.

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