Pregnancy and Skin: Why You May Not Be Glowing – Yet
Regardless of whether or not you’re pregnant, chances are that you’ve heard people talk about the “glow” that comes with pregnancy. While you may feel radiant and excited about your pregnancy, you may not be experiencing this glow that everyone keeps talking about. Well, don’t worry because there are several skin issues that are common during pregnancy, and if you are experiencing any of these issues, then it’s a good possibility that this is the reason you’re not “glowing” – yet.Below you will find the most common skin ailments associated with pregnancy.
Acne: While many women claim that they experienced little to no acne during their pregnancies, this isn’t the case for all women. Every woman’s skin reacts differently when hormones levels are disrupted. Therefore, it’s completely normal for your skin to break out during your pregnancy. In most cases, the acne will level out and become less of an issue towards the end of your pregnancy, which is when you’ll experience the “glow” you’ve been waiting for!
Melasma: This is a condition that occurs for some women during pregnancy. It isn’t that common, but it does happen occasionally. Melasma is caused from excessive pigmentation and is most common on areas of the body that are exposed more frequently to the sun. For example, areas such as your forehead, upper lip and cheeks. There isn’t much that can be done about this other than using a good sunscreen…that’s safe to use during pregnancy, of course. The condition does usually go away after pregnancy.
Unsightly Rashes: Unfortunately some women experience skin rashes when pregnant. These rashes can be caused by a number of things and can be found in a variety of places including the belly, buttocks, breasts and thighs. If you experience any of these, then you need to consult a doctor as you may be able to receive treatment.
Stretch Marks: This is probably the most irritating skin problem pregnant women face. Some stretch marks aren’t visible, but others can be dark and very visible. Stretch marks are really unavoidable because your body is stretching to adjust for the growing baby. However, you can help reduce the risk of getting them by keeping your skin well-moisturized. There are also stretch mark creams on the market to help reduce the visibility of them as well.
Eczema: This is basically a bad case of dry skin. When you don’t keep your skin moisturized, it will get dry, itchy and flaky. Of course, it will only get worse if you scratch at it. If you notice that your skin is drier than normal and nothing is really helping, you need to visit your physician.
Above are some of the most common skin problems that can occur during pregnancy. The chances that you will experience all of them are very low, so try not to worry about them too much. More than likely, you will have the pregnancy “glow” at some point throughout your pregnancy – so be patient and enjoy all 9 months of your pregnancy!
