Page 54 - April Issue

on the way | your body

Your skin in
pregnancy

Some women in pregnancy have absolutely no skin problems
and may actually be basking in the rosy glow of pregnancy.
Other women may not be so lucky, developing cholasma,
patchiness and break-outs. Does pregnancy mean the stop to
all skin and beauty treatments? We get set to find out.

mother, baby & child April 2011 According to Dr Maria as melasma, which, says Dr breasts will become darker,
Khattar, Managing Khattar, is butterfly-patterned unlike other areas of your skin,
Director and Founder pigmentation on cheeks and which return to their original
of Aesthetica Clinics in Dubai, forehead, on the chin and colour after pregnancy.
common problems that occur around the mouth. Exposure to
in pregnancy are merely due sunlight will darken the patches, In many expecting mums,
to the tremendous surge in making them more obvious. Be already existing skin conditions,
female sex hormone levels; sure to get enough folic acid by such as skin tags and moles can
oestrogen and progesterone. taking a folic acid supplement-- worsen in pregnancy because
“The skin reacts in various ways research suggests that folic high levels of oestrogen have
depending upon each individual acid deficiencies may increase some effect on these tissues.
case and it is not possible to Another big problem for
predict the reactions,” says “The skin reacts expecting mums is that their
Dr Khattar and skin can go in various ways acne gets worse. Breakouts are
dry or oily. More common skin depending upon each
reactions are acne breakouts individual case and
and skin rashes and women can it is not possible to
also develop pigmentation and predict reactions.
acne; “Furthermore, due to the Furthermore, due
skin being stretched, women to the skin being
develop stretch marks mostly stretched, women
on their stomach and thighs,” develop stretch
she says. marks mostly on their
stomach and thighs.”
Common Problems and Safe
Treatments skin discolouration. Often areas
In almost all cases, hormones that were already pigmented
predispose to pigmentary to begin with; freckles and
changes and consequently, little moles may now become
it is imperative for pregnant larger and brown spots or areas
women to be extremely vigilant may have enhanced darkness.
as far as sun protection is New moles may also appear.
concerned. Daily application The areola and nipples of your
and reapplication of a physical
sunscreen is very important.
If an expecting mum is not
careful, she can develop freckles
and the dark patches known

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