Skin Inc. - June 2017

48 June 2017 © Skin Inc. www.SkinInc.com Reproduction in English or any other language of all or part of this article is strictly prohibited. © 2017 Allured Business Media.
regnancy brings about a whirlwind
of changes to the skin and body.
Many of the physiological changes
experienced during pregnancy are a direct
response to rising hormone levels. Although
these hormones are instrumental in the
development of the baby, they can bring with them
a host of other body and skin changes, which this
article will discuss.

ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

Estrogen and progesterone significantly increase over a relatively short period. The amount of estrogen that a woman’s body produces in a single pregnancy is immeasurably greater than the amount produced in a lifetime of a woman when not pregnant. Besides the possible mood swings and nausea, the increase of estrogen boosts vascularization of the uterus and placenta. This facilitates the flow of nutrients to accommodate the growing fetus.

The high progesterone levels along with the
relaxin hormone weaken the normally solidified
joints and ligaments throughout the body. This
is why it is important for pregnant women to be
especially cautious with exercise and intense
physical activity to avoid any potential injuries. At
the same time, progesterone helps the development
of a thick and strong lining of the uterus that can
expand and support the growing size of the baby. It
prepares the mammary glands, in conjunction with
rising estrogen, for milk production.

SKIN DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is often associated with a healthy glow, but that glow is not absolute and is balanced by a long list of not always comfortable or necessarily esthetic side effects. The erratic behavior of the rising hormones can have a negative impact on skin, sometimes worsening pre-existing skin conditions, such as rosacea, acne or atopic dermatitis. Pregnancy can make skin reactive to ingredients or even environments that previously had no effect. Oddly enough, it can also improve pre-existing skin conditions in some cases.

Pregnancy may promote healthier skin, hair and nails, but it is often accompanied by acne, unwanted hair growth, hair thinning, exacerbated existing skin conditions, skin pigmentation, spider veins and stretch marks.