During pregnancy, your body goes through a number of physical changes that can have an impact on your appearance. Although the changes are mostly temporary, they can sometimes leave you feeling less than yourself. Here are some of the most common physical changes you can experience and what you can do about it.
Stretch Marks
As you gain weight during your pregnancy, your skin has to rapidly adjust to the changes. Your skin has fibers within it that allows it to stretch to accommodate the changes to your body. When the skin stretches, the fibers tend to break or over-stretch. As they do, blood vessels begin to show through the skin and leave you with stretch marks.
Although the stretch marks might seem very pronounced when they first appear, they can fade over time. Fortunately, there are a few options for dealing with stretch marks.
Some women choose to use stretch mark creams. The cream can possibly help the marks to soften or fade over time. Due to the moisturizing nature of the cream, using it before stretch marks develop can also potentially lessen the likelihood you will develop them.
Laser therapy is also an option that can be used once you have your baby. The stretch marks are not completely removed, but the therapy can help to lighten them so that they are less noticeable.
Pregnancy Acne
Hormonal surges during your pregnancy are the culprit behind the unexpected increase in acne you are experiencing. The surge causes the increased production of sebum, which clogs your pores and leads to a buildup of bacteria. The bacteria causes acne breakouts.
The acne usually clears up after you give birth. Until that time, there are things you can do to minimize the likelihood that you have a breakout.
One of the most important steps you can take is to create a good skin care regimen. Use a soap-free cleanser to wash your face twice daily. Be sure to wash away the cleanser completely.
When washing, do not scrub at your skin. Overly aggressive washing of your face can remove natural moisture. In response to the decreased moisture, your body will automatically increase the production of oils, which leads to more acne.
You also need to watch your diet. Although it might be tempting to eat sweets and other fatty foods, they can aggravate acne. Choose healthier options, such as almonds and avocados, to snack on throughout the day.
