Skin Care Part 2
Hormones released during pregnancy cause the "glowing" you will see during your second trimester. The blood volume
increases, bringing more blood to the skin. This will make you look as if you've just been out on a long walk, rosey
cheeked and healthy. These changes are temporary and usually diminish after birth. Other changes you can expect in your
skin include:
- Sweat glands change; perspiration increases
- Your skin will produce more natural oils, as
your oil glands work overtime
- Darker circles under eyes
- If your skin is dark, you can expect more changes
- If your skin is light, you will notice the changes quicker
- Heat rash may develop between breasts, thighs
and pubic area, causing redness and burning
- Your skin will stretch to accomodate the increasing weight put on
your body, so you may see stretch marks on your belly, buttocks, and breasts. They will fade from red/pink to silver
in time
- Increased progesterone causes dark areas on your body, to become even darker
- On the chin, upper
cheeks, nose and forehead, there may yellow or brown patches (called chloasma or better known as "mask of pregnancy")
- You will notice your beauty marks, birthmarks and moles stand out more. Don't be alarmed by this change. If
you feel any moles have altered in a negative way, please seek medical attention
- Nipples become darker, with
a red-ish or purple-ish tint to them, and tiny bumps will appear on them
- Bottom of feet and palms of hands
may or may not itch causing redness. This is called palmar erythema
- Skin will itch on hips, thigh, and abdomen
as your skin stretches.
- In the second trimster, the faint line called linea alba, that runs from the center
of your pubic bone up to your naval, will now become darker. This darker line is now called linea nigra. - You may develop skin polyps (known as "skin tags") where your neck folds, on your chest, on the pit of your arms, or around your bra strap area. These are little raised areas of your skin that will eventually go away a few months to a year after delivery. Increased spider veins on legs, torso and even the nose. During delivery it's not uncommon for a tiny blood vessel to burst, resulting in a spider vein on the face or whites of the eyes.
Copyright ©1997 Anai Rhoads.
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