This is how the skin and hair of a pregnant woman changes
Hormones are primarily responsible for these transformations.
During the pregnancy period, women experience a series of changes in their bodies. Beyond seeing their stomach grow due to the normal development of the baby, they also face other situations related to their skin and hair.
Although these are normal processes that are generated by hormones and the general transformations that the body undergoes while giving life to another being, the truth is that sometimes it is not so easy to assimilate, despite the fact that, in its Most body parts return to normal after the pregnancy ends.
One of the main changes that the skin experiences are the striae gravidarum that are evident in the abdomen. There are women who also appear on the breasts, hips and buttocks. Stretch marks on the belly and lower body appear as the baby grows; while in the breasts they occur because they are enlarged in preparation for lactation.
The colors of the stretch marks
The United States National Library of Medicine explains that stretch marks may appear red, brown, or even purple during pregnancy, but once the baby is born they fade and won’t be as noticeable. “Avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy helps minimize the risk of stretch marks,” says the aforementioned source.
Another effect on hormone levels on the skin is that some women have brown or yellowish patches around the eyes and on the cheeks and nose. This is sometimes called the “pregnancy mask.” The medical term is chloasma.
Sometimes pregnant women also experience a dark streak in the midline of the lower abdomen. This is known as the black line.
Acne in pregnancy
According to the health company Sanitas, from Spain, there are women who develop acne normally in the early stages of pregnancy and this is especially the case in those in whom menstruation was preceded by the appearance of skin rashes on the face. However, there are also cases in which women who already had these skin conditions before becoming pregnant improve during pregnancy.
Skin rashes are another condition that appears. They are produced as a result of heat and because of sweating, which is more intense during pregnancy. It is also common that in the final part of pregnancy there are itchy rashes on the abdomen that, although they are not a problem, can spread to the buttocks, legs and arms.
The palms of the hands sometimes turn red, which is characteristic of increased estrogen concentration.
In addition, some women may develop an itchy rash during the third trimester of pregnancy, most often after 34 weeks . Itchy red welts can develop into large patches and are most often evident on the belly, but can spread to the thighs, buttocks, and arms.
Experts say that lotions and creams help soothe the area, but the recommendation is not to use products that contain perfumes or other chemicals. These can increase reactions.
What happens in the hair
It is normal for pregnant women to experience changes in the texture and growth of their hair and nails as well. Some say that they grow faster and are stronger, but others find the opposite and experience that their hair falls out and their nails become brittle. In time, the two of them will return to normal.
Although, according to the information from Sanitas, it is impossible to predict what changes will occur in each woman’s skin, some of them can be prevented by taking a series of precautions from the beginning of pregnancy. For example, moisturize the skin daily with creams, especially the abdomen; avoid the heat and dress appropriately to better bear it; Do not exceed the recommended weight and follow a balanced diet.
