12 Oct Skincare Throughout Pregnancy: Glowing Through Your Journey
The journey of pregnancy is filled with joy and anticipation. There are profound changes that occur internally and externally for the expectant mother. During this time, you will no doubt find yourself focused on the health and wellbeing of your little one, but it’s also crucial not to let ourselves overlook the changes experienced in our skin, both during and after pregnancy. There should be special emphasis placed on the understanding of these biological changes and what support is available during this journey.
Skincare throughout pregnancy- your journey:
Regardless of the specific changes you experience during and after your pregnancy, maintaining a consistent skincare routine is essential. Here are some general tips to help you along but remember to always consult your dermal clinician before adding in anything new to your routine to make sure it’s safe and right for your skin.
- Gentle cleansing: use a mild fragrance-free cleanser to wash your face and body.
- Moisturise: Keep your skin well-hydrated with a pregnancy safe moisturiser to reduce dryness and itchiness.
- Sun protection: Apply sunscreen daily with a minimum of SPF 30 -50+ to stop any darkening of existing pigment or any more from developing while the skin is extra sensitive.
- Use antioxidants which will help to protect the skin from free radicals and work as a perfect pairing to your sunscreen as it will boost its efficacy and protective properties.
Skin changes during pregnancy: A deeper Look
Hormonal Breakouts:
Hormonal changes are the hallmark of pregnancy as we are in the incredible process of creating new life, however, they can also influence changes in our skin that can cause some unwanted breakouts in some women. This is due to an increase in our oil production which can cause some breakouts on our cheeks and jawline. Rest assured that you are not alone in this! Although it can be quite frustrating, with the right approach of skincare and in clinic treatments, you can manage this effectively.
The increase in our natural skin oils can clog pores causing these breakouts so to help combat this, we require gentle pregnancy-safe skincare. What to look for is skincare free from harsh skin stripping ingredients, along with Salicylic acid and Vitamin A which should be avoided during pregnancy.
Pigmentation:
Another very common skin concern is pigmentation changes and the development of melasma and chloasma often referred to as the ‘mask of pregnancy.’ These brown and greyish patches will most likely show up on the face, typically the nose, cheeks, and forehead. These pigment changes are due to hormonal fluctuations and aggravated by sun exposure, so don’t neglect your skincare and always wear sunscreen!
Melasma is one of the more difficult forms of pigmentation to treat as hormone fluctuations increase our sun sensitivity and once we have it, it becomes more of a ‘how to maintain’ situation rather than a complete cure.
Martine our Dermal Supervisor speaks on her experience and highlights some important points on how to effectively manage melasma:
Martine: ‘pregnancy was an amazing experience for me, but it brought up a unique challenge – melasma. To this day it is something I have grown very accustomed to managing but at the time, those dark patches were unexpected. I cannot stress enough the importance of sun protection and regular treatments in clinic during and post pregnancy, so that it never becomes too overwhelming.’
Managing pigmentation during pregnancy:
Managing pigmentation during pregnancy can be tricky as some treatments are not at our disposable such as lasers, however, we should not discount skincare as our use of sun protection against UV rays will aid tenfold in reducing the darkening of any pigment, along with the use of wide brim hats and sunglasses when you’re outdoors. Some other great products to look out for are vitamin C and Niacinamide which will help to further protect and brighten your skin. It is always essential however to consult with your dermal clinician on any new products you want to introduce to make sure they are safe for you and your baby.
Leg veins:
Pregnancy also puts some strain on our circulatory system which can in turn potentially lead to the development of leg veins. These may be a temporary concern for many women, however there are treatments post pregnancy available that can help address them if they do remain a concern.
Exploring treatment options:
If you’re concerned about leg veins, its essential to consult with your dermal clinician first, however one great option is Clear V – a non-invasive laser treatment used to address several types of vein issues such as spider or small varicose veins. You will need a few treatments and with time these veins will gradually collapse and fade from the skin surface so that they are no longer visible.
Stretch Marks:
These are a badge of honour for many mums, a testament to the incredible feat of growing a tiny human. While they are completely normal, some women may seek treatment to minimise their appearance.
Our clinic Manager Abby has touched on her own experience with stretch marks:
Abby is a proud mum of four beautiful kids. “Pregnancy was an amazing journey for me, a whirlwind of emotions of excitement and uncertainty. While I was navigating these changes, I really noticed how important it was for me to look after myself and make sure I still made time for my own self-care. What I found helpful was really prioritising my skincare for my face and body and having the occasional in clinic treatment. During my pregnancy I was one of the lucky ones that got afflicted with stretch marks! The best thing I ever did was make sure to be using moisturiser on these areas and then after pregnancy I made sure to start on some gentle laser and microneedling to help even out the colour and improve the skin quality.’
Treatments options for stretch marks:
There are many options available for stretch marks which include DLS Radiance Complex Hand and Body Cream, laser therapy and micro needling. We can also combine this with injections of the collagen stimulating dermal fillers which can help to stimulate collagen production in the skin which will help improve texture and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
DLS Radiance Complex Hand and Body cream was created by Dr Lowe and combines skin anti-inflammatories, anti-oxidants and hydrating agents to support and repair skin. The formula is safe to use in pregnancy and breastfeeding and it can also be used all over the body for the treatment of dry or stressed skin.
More information about DLS Radiance Complex Hand and Body here
Laser therapy uses targeted light energy to stimulate collagen production in the affected areas which will help to fade the colour and texture of stretch marks overtime. Multiple sessions are required for optimal results.
Micro needling involves the use of tiny needles passing over the skin to create tiny controlled micro-injuries which will trigger the body’s immune response to repair the area. Over time this will help to remodel the skin and improve its quality, as well as minimising the appearance of those stretch marks. Like laser therapy, this will require several treatments for the best outcome.
Skin laxity: Post-pregnancy challenges.
The rapid stretching of our skin during pregnancy and then once we give birth can lead to the issue known as skin laxity. This is most noticeable in the abdomen area as the stomach shrinks back down post birth. Skin laxity presents as a unique concern post pregnancy as the body will lose some of its natural elasticity during this process.
Exploring treatment options:
Ultherapy: A non-invasive solution
One amazing solution for addressing skin laxity post-pregnancy is Ultherapy. This treatment harnesses ultrasound energy to tighten the skin without the need for any down time and is a great alternative to surgery. Ultherapy is quite versatile as it can be applied to several areas of the body as well as the face.
Ultherapy is an FDA and TGA cleared procedure that has demonstrated the ability to stimulate collagen production gradually. This process aids in the tightening and toning of the skin, is well tolerated, and most individuals do notice improvement after just a single session. The great thing about this treatment is that the results will continue to improve as ongoing collagen production will occur up to 6 months post treatment!
Collagen stimulating injectables
These have to wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding, but these are fantastic options to really improve skin laxity and loss of elasticity. This specific dermal filler is injected under the skin and slowly stimulates new collagen and elastin production over several weeks and months. This results in firmer skin and improved laxity. Results can last well over a year and requires a maintenance treatment every year or so.
Platelet-rich plasma
Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is an excellent choice for improving skin quality, firming looser skin and softening the appearance of stretch marks. We collect a sample of your blood and isolate the plasma component and reinject it back in to your skin. The plasma contains a rich supply of platelets which are activated and signal other cells to enter the area and regenerate and repair the skin with new blood vessels, new collagen and new elastin. Skin quality is improved with firmer, stronger and healthier skin…all by utilising your own body and own cells.
Addressing C-section scars: Post-pregnancy concerns
C-section scars are a common outcome post caesarean and can be a significant post-pregnancy concern. These scars typically low down on the abdomen but can vary in size and appearance.
Treatment options for c-section scars: BBL and ClearSilk laser
Two great treatment options to address c-section scars post-pregnancy are Broad Band Light (BBL) and ClearSilk. They are both non-invasive procedures and have shown promising results for minimising raised scars and reducing redness in the skin.
BBL utilises intense pulse light to target specific areas of concern. This treatment can effectively reduce redness associated with scars such as from c-sections by heating the skin’s upper layers. BBL encourages the body’s natural healing processes and will reduce scar redness and promote a softer, flatter scar. In addition, ClearSilk laser also heats the deeper levels of skin where our collagen and elastin live to further promote redness reduction and collagen production.
We are here to help
The journey of pregnancy is incredibly transformative but there can be many changes to your skin that you may not be expecting or welcoming! To ensure your skin remains in great condition, It is essential to embrace and care for your skin during this incredible time. Make sure to seek advice from your dermal clinician who knows and understands the unique needs of expectant mothers.
We hope that your skin glows with you during this amazing process!!
Monique
Dermal clinician
MUSE Clinic