Are You Really Glowing? How Pregnancy Affects Your Skin

You’ve heard it said to pregnant women hundreds of times: “You’re glowing!” or “You look radiant!” Though cliché, don’t write this compliment off as a social nicety. In fact, there are medical reasons why you might appear more radiant while expecting.

However, pregnancy can also induce more frustrating skin conditions. Read on to find out how pregnancy affects your skin in ways you like and ways you maybe won’t.

How Pregnancy Can Make You “Glow”

There are a few medical reasons your skin appears more radiant during pregnancy. Here are a few:

• Increased blood flow

• Increased oil production

• Increased hormone production

• Stretched and thinned skin

Boosted blood flow and hormone production create a rosy tint that shines through stretched skin. On top of that, more active oil glands add shine to your complexion. Altogether, these factors contribute to a flushed shimmer that people refer to as the pregnancy glow.

Other Skin Changes

While many women enjoy a glowing complexion, others may experience different changes, some of which are less welcome. Body changes can lead to the following issues:

• Acne

• Melasma or hyperpigmentation

• Eczema (new or flared up)

• Spider veins

• Puffiness

• Prurigo of pregnancy (an itchy rash)

• Skin tags

• Stretch marks

• A dark line down the stomach

• PUPPP (another itchy rash)

These are conditions that can occur anywhere on your body, but the last four items won’t affect your face. Though most of these skin changes resolve after you deliver your baby, they might stick around for a while after. Additionally, most are harmless, albeit somewhat uncomfortable and perhaps unsightly.

Skincare Tips During Pregnancy

You’re not in control of how your body’s skin reacts to pregnancy. However, you can do your best to keep it healthy and manage any uncomfortable or unsightly symptoms that appear.

Most important are moisturizing, drinking plenty of water, and using sun protection. For itchy rashes, avoid scratching them and get help from your doctor. Additionally, some aesthetic treatments are safe when pregnant, such as microneedling. Cosmetic procedures can boost your self-esteem if you’re experiencing some unwelcome skin conditions; just make sure to talk with your doctor and esthetician before receiving these services.

Pregnancy is a wild time, and your body will undergo hundreds of large and small changes. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so a lot of these changes manifest on it. Though you might be blessed with a gentle pregnancy glow, you might also experience unaesthetic and even uncomfortable changes. What you can do is take care of your skin and work with your doctor to manage symptoms.