Stretch Marks the Spot

STRETCH MARKS THE SPOT
GET THE SKINNY ON PREGNANCY SKIN CARE

While the most notable change you’ll see your body experience during pregnancy is a ballooning belly, you’re likely to
notice that your skin will undergo significant changes during as well. Thanks to the hormone shifts your body will go
through during pregnancy, your skin may show signs of broken capillaries, breakouts, stretch marks and darkening of
the skin. While most of these changes disappear shortly after delivery, for many women, it’s no picnic to live with them
for nine months. Below, find our suggestions and recommendations from the March of Dimes on how to tackle your most
pressing pregnancy skin concerns:

Acne	During early pregnancy, some women develop acne, especially those who were prone to breakouts during menstrual periods before becoming pregnant. While breakouts are always a bother, check with your doctor before breaking out the Clearasil, as many acne-treatment products are not safe for pregnant women to use. Avoid all oral medications, especially and retinoids, which can cause very serious birth defects. What You Can Do: Visit a spa that offers an all-natural facial created specifically for pregnant women. At Skintology, a serene spa oasis in New York City, pregnant women can enjoy the Organic Apple Sauce Facial, which incorporates all-natural and safe-for-pregnancy products into the treatment, which includes a pore cleansing and extraction. After receiving the treatment, our pregnant mama tester’s skin was not only blemish-free, but it glowed for weeks ($100, go to www.skintologyny.com for more information).
Chloasma ("mask of pregnancy" or melasma)	During pregnancy, many women—especially those with dark hair and pale skin—experience a brownish darkening of the facial skin, which is referred to as chloasma. This darkening typically occurs on the forehead, temples and the middle of the face, but can also appear around the eyes or over the nose. What You Can Do: Because these darkened areas may get even darker when exposed to sunlight, dermatologists recommend wearing a sunscreen with a high SPF when outdoors and if possible, wearing a hat as well. Additionally, try to limit the time you spend outdoors between 10 am and 2 pm. Thankfully, these marks usually fade completely after delivery. Try C.O. Bigelow SPF 15 Extra-Light Face Lotion ($20, www.bathandbodyworks.com).
Linea nigra (dark line on the belly)	For many women, extra pigment in the skin causes a dark line to appear on their stomachs, running from the navel to the pubic area. What You Can Do: While there’s not much you can do about this often unsightly mark, take solace in the fact that it will fade soon after you give birth. If you must cover it up, use a concealer that does not contain mercury.
Puffiness	During the third trimester, increased blood circulation may cause your eyelids and face to become puffy, especially in the morning. This condition is harmless, but if you experience puffiness along with a sudden weight increase, contact your doctor to rule out any potential problems like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. What You Can Do: Take a cool shower and then slather on a de-puffing eye gel like Benefit’s De-Puffing Action Eye Gel ($24, www.benefitcosmetics.com).
Rashes	Thanks to the effect hormone surges have on your sweat glands, you might experience increased perspiration during pregnancy. This often makes you more prone to getting heat rashes. Additionally, you may see harmless but itchy red bumps on your belly, butt and/or, arms and legs. What You Can Do: Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and soothe irritated skin with a thin layer of Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($5.59, www.drugstore.com).
Skin tags	Skin tags—small, soft, flesh-colored growths or flaps—often form on the neck, breasts or armpits of pregnant women. Most likely caused by hormonal changes, skin tags unfortunately do not go away on their own after delivery. What You Can Do: Visit your dermatologist, who can easily and (virtually) painlessly remove them.
Stretch marks	As your breasts and abdomen grow, you may develop stretch marks across your belly and breasts as well as your butt, hips and thighs. These small, depressed streaks of differently-textured skin can be pink, reddish-brown or dark brown, depending on your skin color. These marks are caused by tiny tears in the tissue that lies just below your skin and helps the skin stretch. Though many creams and oils on the market claim to help prevent stretch marks, they’re unlikely to provide more than a smidgen of prevention. Stretch marks, experts believe, are largely hereditary, so if your mother had them, chances you’ll have them as well. Luckily, they usually fade and become less noticeable after delivery. What You Can Do: You’ve got nothing to lose by using topical stretch mark prevention products—in fact, many women swear by them. We love Basq NYC’s Resilient Belly Oil ($36, www.basqnyc.com) and Cellex-C Mother and Child Skincare’s Stretch Mark Cream ($65, www.dermadoctor.com).
Spider veins	Many pregnant women notice an increased visibility of spider veins, tiny red blood vessels that become noticeable because of increased blood circulation during pregnancy. Generally, spider veins disappear or fade after delivery. What You Can Do: Diminish the prominence of broken capillaries and spider veins with Cellex-C Mother and Child Skincare’s Spider Vein Complex ($65, www.dermadoctor.com).


C.O. Bigelow SPF 15 Extra-Light Face Lotion	Benefit’s De-Puffing Action Eye Gel	Aquaphor Healing Ointment	Basq NYC’s Resilient Belly Oil	Cellex-C Mother and Child Skincare’s Stretch Mark Cream	Cellex-C Mother and Child Skincare’s Spider Vein Complex

SKIN STRESS: WHEN TO TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
Most skin changes during pregnancy are harmless and painless. However, a few conditions might require medical attention, says the March of Dimes:

Severe itchiness
Severe itchiness, particularly in the third trimester, can be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a liver problem that affects a very small percentage of pregnant women. Symptoms include severe itchiness all over the skin and sometimes nausea, vomiting, fatigue, yellowing of the skin and loss of appetite. Women who have ICP are more likely to have stillbirths or to deliver prematurely, so speak to your health care provider tight away if you suspect your itchiness is something more than garden-variety.

Skin darkening with other symptoms
Certain types of skin darkening can be a sign of a serious problem. Let your health care provider know if changes in you skin’s color are accompanied by pain, tenderness, redness or bleeding, or if you notice any changes in the color, shape or size of a mole.

Puffiness of the eyelids
Some puffiness of the eyelids is normal during the third trimester. However, if you suddenly gain five pounds or more, it could mean that you are retaining too much fluid and have high blood pressure.

—Chelsea Kaplan

Click here to read all about Deputy Editor/Beauty Director Chelsea Kaplan's life with child in her blog, “I'm Somebody's Mother?”