As the body prepares to carry a baby, hormonal changes occur and they can have an impact on skin health. Hence it is important to have a proper skincare routine during pregnancy. (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Pregnancy is a defining experience for women. It is a time of joy and excitement as a life develops within the body. During the nine months of pregnancy, women go through many changes, both physical and emotional, as well as many hormonal changes which can lead to skin problems such as frequent acne breakouts, itchy skin, stretch marks and pigmentation. Now that they go through so much, there are several things to keep in mind along with some skincare tips.

Dr Zeel Gandhi, an Ayurvedic expert at Vedix, a beauty brand offering customised modern Ayurveda beauty regimens, explains what pregnancy does to the skin. She says, "The glow of pregnancy is unmissable on every woman's visage. Apart from the famous glow, the skin also undergoes several changes during pregnancy. The female hormone patterns alter drastically to eliminate the menstrual cycles. The increased flow of hormones causes a darkening of the area around the nipples. For some, the hormones can also trigger acne, and hyper pigmentation (dark patches on the skin)."

Dr Nidhi Singh, MD, DNB, MNAMS, and an expert at HUMM lists down some skincare regimes for dry, oily and normal skin.

For dry skin: Hormonal changes can worsen dry skin during pregnancy. Few steps to minimize this:

1. Avoid long, hot showers. This will strip the skin of natural oils and can lead to the worsening of the condition.

3. Use gentle oils or ceramide-based cleansers and cleanse no more than twice a day.

4. Exfoliate no more than once a week.

5. Apply unscented moisturiser as often as required.

7. Consume a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids like walnut, avocados, etc.

8. Consult your dermatologist if the situation worsens.

For oily skin: Oily skin tends to break out during pregnancy. To combat breakouts:

2. Cleanse the face twice daily this will help in clearing sebum thus reducing the chances of breaking out.

3. Exfoliate gently up to two times a week.

4. Moisturise once daily with glycerin or hyaluronic acid-based moisturiser and avoid oil-based moisturiser.

6. Consult a dermatologist if required.

1. Cleanse two times daily with a mild cleanser.

2. Moisturise once or twice daily.

4. Exfoliate gently once a week.

It is also often noticed that many pregnant women develop stretch marks. They are common during pregnancy and affect approximately 8 out of every 10 pregnant women. They usually appear on the tummy, upper thighs and breasts as your pregnancy progresses and bump grows. To speak on the reason behind them, Dr Gagan Bhatia, a naturopath and founder of Uniqaya, a skincare brand mentions the causes behind these stretch marks and also recommends some natural home remedies for reducing or curing them.

"Stretch marks are a result of the skin changing shape rapidly due to growth or weight gain. Since weight gain is common among pregnant women, stretch marks are too. While there is no cure for them just yet, here are a few home remedies one can try to reduce their appearance and treat them,"

Natural home remedies for stretch marks

1. Aloe vera- Aloe vera gel is known for its soothing properties. Applying it liberally to the affected area can help soothe, moisturise and hydrate the skin as well as accelerate the healing process and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

2. Coconut Oil- Massaging coconut oil onto the affected area can help nourish and heal the skin, thereby helping the stretch marks sooner.

3. Sugar- Sugar is a great natural exfoliator and combining it with almond oil or coconut oil will ensure that it exfoliates the skin without drying it out. For best results, apply this scrub two to three times a week and rinse it off with warm water.

You all must have heard of the term "pregnancy glow," and also might have seen it on fellow women. But what exactly does it mean and how and why does this glow occur? Gandhi says that female hormones cause vasodilation, which means they increase the lumen of the blood vessels. As a result, more blood gets pooled into them. This makes the skin glow, with warm undertones. Her emphasis on maintaining healthy iron levels during pregnancy is a must, to achieve a glowing complexion. Choosing a healthy diet free of refined carbs, and regular gentle exercise prevents insulin resistance and a healthy appearance of the skin.

Gandhi jots down some of the skin changes that occur during pregnancy.

1. The areola- (skin around the breasts) gets darker, owing to the increased blood supply to the breasts. This is to prepare them to nurse the newborn.

2. Linea Nigra- A line running vertically on the belly turns dark with new hair growth.

3. Itching- The skin stretches during pregnancy, because of weight gain. The belly and breasts are growing too. If this skin is not provided with enough moisture, it may feel stretchy and itchy. Ensure adequate moisturisation of skin from head to toe.

4. Stria Gravidarum- Stretch marks are a common occurrence during pregnancy when the skin is not cared for properly. Regular gentle massages (with safe oils and moisturizers) from the breasts to buttocks can prevent them.

5. Chloasma / Melasma- A butterfly-shaped hyper pigmented patch appears on the skin. The use of good sunscreen and limiting sun exposure can prevent Chloasma.

6. Pimple breakouts and acne- The skin may produce more than usual amounts of oil during pregnancy, which leads to blocked pores and acne. For some who have suffered from acne, it suddenly disappears when they get pregnant.

During pregnancy, some women develop dark irregular patches on their faces, most commonly on the upper cheek, nose, lips, and forehead. This is known as 'chloasma.' Singh states that Chloasma is also known as the "mask of pregnancy" or melasma. It is seen in around 40 per cent to 70 per cent of pregnant females but can also occur in non-pregnant females during any time of life.

The definite cause is unknown but there are several risk factors including an increase in levels of estrogen during pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive pills. The raised levels of estrogen have been seen to stimulate melanin production thus leading to pigmentation. The other important factor is the UV radiation from the sun and infrared radiation from heat generated while cooking. The likelihood of developing this disease increases in females with a family history of this disease.

It presents itself as symmetrical brownish patches on sun-exposed areas, commonly on the cheek, nose, forehead, and upper lip. In a few, it can be present on other body parts like arms and legs. The patch is not painful or itchy but looks aesthetically unpleasing and can be extremely bothersome for a few.

1. SPF- Most important way to avoid this pigmentation is to wear sunscreen with SPF of more than 30 and reapply it every 2 to 3 hours during the daytime.

2. Folic acid- Diet rich in folic acid including citrus fruits and spinach should be consumed often along with a folic acid supplement.

3. Conceal it- One can use good make-up to conceal the patch.

One should consult a doctor before starting any active medication to treat skin conditions during pregnancy.

"Freckles, moles and darkening of the skin can be attributed to prolonged exposure to the sun and consequent sun damage," says Bhatia. "These are all perfectly normal, of course, and are only a cause for worry if you notice a mole increasing in size and shape. In such cases, it is imperative to consult a dermatologist to determine whether or not it is malignant, and if so, how to treat it," she added.

As for freckles and moles that are no cause for worry, the same can be lightened with laser treatment or by using the following remedies:

1. Retinoid Cream – This lightens existing freckles, combats sun damage and prevents new freckles from forming on the skin.

2. Honey – Mixing honey with salt or sugar and using it as a scrub can help lighten pigmentation.

3. Buttermilk – Applying buttermilk to affected areas and rinsing it off after ten minutes can help lighten freckles. The same also holds true for yoghurt as both contain lactic acid.

4. SPF – This is, perhaps, the most important step in one's skincare routine. Sunscreen with broad-range SPF is essential for good skin. It slows down skin ageing and prevents sun damage, skin darkening and the development of freckles.

Nidhi mentions that due to hormonal changes, the skin tends to dry out leading to itching. The reason for this is not well understood. In general, there is a decrease in the lipid content, stretching of the skin, less water intake, high salt intake and stress during pregnancy which can lead to dryness and itching. She advises drinking plenty of water, using mild oil-based soap and cleansers, avoiding long and hot showers, moisturising twice or more daily, consuming a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, consulting a dermatologist if needed, and applying physical sunscreen daily.

She recommends doing a gentle exfoliation once a week with a glycolic acid-containing product and if struggling with acne, azelaic acid is safe. Ingredients to avoid are retinol, hydroquinone, formaldehyde, and chemical sunscreens.

According to Bhatia, skin tags refer to small skin growths that form in areas with skin folds such as the armpits or neck. These are usually benign in nature. They are known to occur during pregnancy and their appearance can be attributed to friction due to weight gain as well as hormonal changes.

1. Cauterisation – This involves burning the skin tag with high levels of electrical energy or heat in order to remove it.

2. Excision – The skin tag is physically snipped off using a scalpel or scissors.

3. Cryosurgery – Skin Tags are frozen using liquid nitrogen and then removed.

1. Tea tree Oil - This is great for spot treatment and reduces inflammation. What's more? It also possesses anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that eliminate the risk of infection.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar – This is known to dry out skin tags over time when applied to the affected area regularly.

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