Becoming a mother, especially a first-time mom, is a milestone moment in any woman’s life, but it comes with its own share of challenges. From morning sickness to dietary changes and skincare woes, your everyday life starts to follow a whole new routine to look after you and your growing baby. We spoke to celebrity dermatologists Dr Jamuna Pai and Dr Harshna Bijlani to tackle all the skin concerns that sprout up when you’re pregnant, and devise the best kind of skincare routine that’s both safe and simple.
Common skin concerns that occur when you’re pregnant
“A woman’s body goes through several hormonal changes in her life—an important one being pregnancy,” says Dr Pai. In most cases, skin and hair issues such as acne, dull skin and hair fall get resolved naturally after the first trimester, and the woman’s skin looks ravishing. But I have seen [cases] where the reverse is also true. There could be a flare-up of acne and an increase in pigmentation, which is very common and termed as the ‘pregnancy mask’ or melasma.” Here, the doctors give us the complete glossary for pregnancy skin concerns.
Hormonal acne
In case you thought you were done with acne in your teenage years, think again. “Hormonal changes, increased sensitivity and increased oil excretion, as well as excessively dry skin, can cause acne during pregnancy,” says Dr Bijlani. “However, it can be treated during pregnancy, so don’t wait. Go see your doctor and find out what you can do to improve your skin health and reduce acne naturally.”
Pigmentation
“Increased sensitivity to the sun, paired with hormonal fluctuations, can cause pigmentation all over and even in the folds on your body, like at the neck or under your armpits,” she adds. This makes applying adequate sunscreen even more important. “You are also now prone to melasma or chloasma on the face. This is a type of hyperpigmentation caused due to the excessive production of melanin, which may appear in the form of dark or brown patches near your forehead, upper lips, cheekbones, etc. Also, we all have a line running down our abdomen known as linea alba (meaning white line in Latin). During pregnancy, this line darkens and becomes brownish, and is then called linea nigra (which means black line). This is caused due to hyperpigmentation and normally returns to its original appearance post pregnancy.”
Stretch marks
“This is one of the most common problems women face during pregnancy. Your skin will stretch and expand to make room for your child, often resulting in stretch marks,” says Dr Bijlani. “‘Striae gravidarum’ or stretch marks, as they are commonly known, are usually an inevitable part of pregnancy,” adds Dr Pai. “Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it is overstretched, there is a permanent snapping of the collagen and elastin fibres in the tissue, which gives rise to these. It is important to regularly moisture your skin, especially during pregnancy, to lessen [their appearance].” Will any old moisturiser do? “A good lotion can help with increased dryness or itchiness of the skin, but it will not completely prevent stretch marks no matter how diligently you apply it,” explains Pai. “Cocoa butter is considered as one of the best moisturisers to help with stretch marks, and is safe to be used during pregnancy.”
When it comes to treating stretch marks, the earlier you start, the better. “If you’re looking to reduce your stretch marks, don’t wait for a few months or put it off for a year or two, thinking they will go away. Start working on them with the right treatments and products as soon as your doctor says you’re ready,” advises Dr Bijlani. “Use argan oil, rosehip oil or coconut oil for stretch marks—these oils help your skin hydrate and reduce the appearance [of stretch marks].”
8 skincare rules to follow when you’re pregnant
Don’t skip your skincare routine altogether
“A lot of times patients start using absolutely nothing during their pregnancy. That isn’t a good practice either. You still need to use a cleanser, sunscreen, moisturiser etc, to maintain your skin’s health. Try using more natural and organic products, if you feel more comfortable,” says Dr Bijlani.
Load up on moisturiser
“Moisturise frequently to avoid stretch marks, reduce itchiness and soothe the dry skin caused by pregnancy. Moisturise all over your body, especially knees, elbows, nipples etc, as they tend to become even drier,” advises Dr Bijlani.
Consult your OB/GYN before you sign up for any new skin treatments
“A facial can be done once a month, but make sure you avoid extensive heat therapy and using any machine that involves an electric current,” says Dr Pai. “Do not undergo treatments like Botox, fillers or laser during your pregnancy, and avoid chemical peels too.”
Your sunscreen is now even more important
“Due to heightened sensitivity, your skin may not deal well with the sun or new skincare products,” believes Dr Bijlani. “Never step out without sunscreen, especially during your pregnancy as your skin is more sensitive to the sun at this time. Make sure you’re wearing protective clothing like a hat, sunglasses etc., for higher protection against the sun. You should use about half a teaspoon of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above and touch it up every 2-3 hours for it to work and save your skin against the sun.”
You might want to move to shaving as your preferred hair removal method
“Though there is no evidence of waxing being unsafe during pregnancy, the increased skin sensitivity, caused due to hormonal changes in the body, can make the procedure more painful,” suggests Dr Pai. While you could still use hair removal creams, the chemicals in them can irritate your skin even further. Make sure you speak to your dermatologist about your best options before using anything new on your skin.
Say no to retinoids and isotretinoin
“Stop using any night repair cream, especially those containing retinoids or salicylic acid,” affirms Dr Pai. “Studies show that continued use of retinoids during pregnancy can cause birth defects,” adds Dr Bijlani. “This is one ingredient you should definitely not apply during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.” While isotretinoin might usually give you that beautiful, acne-free skin, it’s best avoided when you’re trying to get pregnant. “[Though it is] commonly used for anti-acne [treatments], isotretinoin should be avoided while trying to conceive as it can cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. It should also be avoided before pregnancy as it could also cause changes in your menstrual cycle, making it difficult to conceive.” Bakuchiol is being touted as the natural alternative to retinol that’s safe for pregnant women. Read more about it here.
Don’t use your usual anti-acne spot treatments either
“Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin, which are excellent for acne otherwise, should be avoided during pregnancy even if there is a sudden breakout of acne. You can instead use mild AHA topicals available off the counter that contain glycolic acid, as they will help heal the acne and are safe. Other topical but prescription-backed creams would be erythromycin or azelaic acid, but even those have to be used under your doctor’s guidance,” advises Dr Pai.
Add a Vitamin C serum to your face and body care routine
Dr Bijlani is an advocate for Vitamin C serums for brightening purposes. “It’s a great antioxidant and safe to use during pregnancy. It helps with tissue repair, healing and keeping your skin healthy and glowing,” she says.
