Skin Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special process that causes many different changes in a woman's body and psychology. Primarily due to hormonal reasons, but also due to mechanical factors related to pregnancy, various changes occur in a woman's body. Many women believe that pregnancy has positive effects on their skin and makes them more beautiful. However, some women may feel the opposite, that they are becoming less attractive, or even feel ashamed of their bodies. This is actually entirely psychological, because pregnancy is a beautiful and special process that suits every woman, and it should be accepted along with everything it brings.

Skin Changes During Pregnancy

While some women experience no skin changes during pregnancy, others may notice changes such as dryness, cracks, oiliness, or itching. Increased hormones during pregnancy can cause changes in the skin, as well as in the body and mind.

• Cracks: Stretch marks are the most common skin change during pregnancy. Called stria gravidarum, these stretch marks usually appear on the lower abdomen. However, they can rarely occur on the hips, breasts, arms, and thighs.
• Pregnancy Mask: Pregnancy mask, which occurs on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose, and chin, is the name given to the brown spots that appear in these areas during pregnancy. Caused by pigment changes in the face, pregnancy mask results from the increased secretion of a substance called melanotropin during pregnancy.
• Pregnancy Acne: Especially after the eighth week of pregnancy, the changing hormonal balance can lead to an increase in acne in some expectant mothers. Although rare, the opposite can happen, and existing acne may decrease.
• Linea Nigra: Linea nigra, meaning "black line" in Latin, is the darkening of the linea alba, a structure located between the navel and the pubic junction. This darkening usually disappears spontaneously after pregnancy.
• Vascularization: Increased estrogen levels in the blood can sometimes lead to increased blood vessels in the face, chest, arms, legs, and neck. These vessels are usually slightly raised in appearance.
• Palmar Erythema: Avuç içlerinde kızarıklık ve beneklenme olarak bilinen palmar eritemin oluşum sebebi tam olarak bilinmemekle beraber östrojen miktarının artışına bağlanmaktadır. Hafif yanma ve kaşıntı yaratabilen kızarıklık ve beneklere gebe kadınların %50-55’inde rastlanabilir.