Pregnancy and Your Skin

Do you know what causes your pregnancy glow?

Pregnancy can have both positive and negative effects on the skin. On one hand, pregnant women experience that beautiful pregnancy glow. On the other is all those little problems fluctuating hormones cause to our skin.

What Causes Pregnancy Glow?

Not just an old wives tale, pregnancy glow is actually caused by hormones and a 40% increase of blood volume in the cheeks and increased oil production. This typically occurs in the first trimester and is a reflection of pregnancy delivering more oxygen and nutrients to all organs.

What is Pregnancy Mask?

Also known as melasma, pregnancy mask is the appearance of brown and yellow patches that show up on the face. Hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate melanin cell production, causing these patches. Melasma worsens during the third trimester, when pregnancy hormones are highest.

While pregnant, you can minimize melasma by avoiding UV light. AlluraDerm MD Med Spa can help eliminate melasma with Fraxel® re:store DUAL laser treatments or use of intense pulsed light (IPL) laser.

What about Acne?

Acne is caused by increased progesterone levels that trigger oil production. Avoid over exfoliating during pregnancy—your skin is extra sensitive at this time. You also should not use Retin-A and other anti-acne prescriptions.

No matter what you use for acne, you must speak with a doctor about it to avoid any complications. AlluraDerm MD Med Spa provides free skincare consultations so you can find out how to safely treat acne during your pregnancy.

See a Doctor about your Concerns

Pregnancy may also change the moles on your body, and it’s not unheard of for skin cancer to appear during pregnancy. Any time you see a new or changing mole, or a pigment patch, contact AlluraDerm for a consultation.

Questions about a pregnancy and your skin? Schedule an appointment with the skincare specialists at AlluraDerm by calling 505-821-9630.