Worry not, for most you will find that these skin issues resolve themselves following the birth of your baby.  Here are some of the most common skin problems women encounter during pregnancy—and what you can do about them.

Pregnancy should be a time of excitement

Skin Sensitivity

Go easier on your skin now that you’re pregnant. You might get red more easily if you use a facial scrub, your normal facial might verge on painful, and the perfumed lotion you wear might irritate your skin (and make you nauseated, but that’s a different story). That’s why many mums-to-be switch to unscented products and start choosing products that do not contain harsh chemicals, preservatives and fragrances. “You certainly don’t want anything causing micro-tears on your skin,” says Sue Ibrahim, our dermatology nurse consultant.  “The more cuts and wounds on your skin, the easier it is for chemicals to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Ingredients to stay away from in soaps and body washes include sodium laureth sulphate, parabens and fragrance.” These ingredients aren’t just potential irritants—some say they could pose health risks to baby. We say believe it, because (not surprisingly) a lot of products aren’t tested directly on pregnant women. If you are using prescription topicals on your face you need to tell your doctor that you are pregnant as most prescription creams are not licensed for use during pregnancy either. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we advise our patients to use our Elan Medical DermaCalm range during pregnancy, because they are free from fragrances and preservatives. They also contain mild anti-inflammatory ingredients that can soothe irritated skin.

Acne breakouts during pregnancy

During pregnancy your hormones are all over the place, and that might mean pimples like you had when you were a teenager. The cruel joke, of course, is that many of the treatments that are prescribed for acne cannot be used during pregnancy. Prescription medications like Tetracyclines, Isotretinoin (Roacutane(R)) and the anti-androgen hormone therapies are definite no-nos. And the jury’s out on over-the-counter creams, since they haven’t been tested specifically on pregnant women (yup, you find that a lot with products). Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can be absorbed into the bloodstream, so they’re not worth the risk either. “You can safely use lactic acid and biosulfur to treat acne,” Sue Ibrahim says. Don’t touch, pick or squeeze pimples— just wash with a mild cleanser twice a day. “A lot of women find Acne Phototherapy beneficial during pregnancy and it is perfectly safe for both you and the baby.

Sun Sensitivity

Sorry, mums-to-be, but “pregnancy glow” does not refer to a bronzed, sun-kissed complexion. You should actually try to stay out of the sun as much as you can while you’re pregnant. That’s because your surging hormones make you susceptible to dark patches on your skin—known as melasma, or the ‘mask of pregnancy’, which is triggered by sun exposure. So pull out the big floppy hat, find a beach umbrella and be diligent about wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. If you are unlucky and do get Melasma during pregnancy it may resolve on its own following the birth of your baby, if not then you will need the help of a dermatologist I’m afraid.

Stretch marks

Now you’ve got another big skin concern: stretch marks. Anytime someone’s body grows quickly, they’re at risk for stretch marks, so the fact that baby is growing exponentially in there puts you right in the high-risk zone. Of course, not every mum-to-be gets stretch marks. “For most people, whether or not they get stretch marks has to do with genetic predisposition,” says Sue Ibrahim. But you can do your best to head them off by gently exfoliating and thoroughly moisturising your belly, boobs, stomach, hips and thighs as much as you can. As for what moisturizer to use, it’s hard to make a recommendation. “A lot of products make claims,” Sue Ibrahim says. “Some may help but aren’t really proven to prevent stretch marks.” If you are left with troublesome stretch marks following the birth of you baby, it is worth looking into the skin tightening treatments we offer at Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

Skin rashes during pregnancy

If you’ve got red, itchy skin, it’s important not to ignore it. Itchy feet and hands could be a sign of cholestasis of pregnancy, a scary complication that can cause liver problems for baby. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to make sure that’s not causing your rash. Another common pregnancy rash is PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy), which often starts in the abdomen and spreads from there. PUPPP is actually harmless to baby, but it will be completely aggravating for you. Book in for a Dermatology Consultation if you are concerned.

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These flat, brown, gray or black spots are areas of sun-damaged skin found predominantly on sun-exposed parts of the body. These include the backs of the hands and forearms, the face, ears and lips, the scalp in balding men and the lower legs in women, says Essex nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Rayleigh and central London.

They are not contagious and are usually harmless but there is a very small risk of some sun spots developing into to a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Seek professional help if you’re worried

If you have any doubts, visit Sue at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Essex or London for a professional diagnosis. If there’s nothing to worry about she will happily let you know. However, if she is concerned, she will remove a small amount of skin (biopsy) and send it away for further analysis.

How do we get age spots?

Age spots are caused by an excess production of melanin or skin pigment. People of any age, sex or race can develop them, especially if they have had excessive sun exposure over many years from sunbathing, sunbed use and outdoor work or recreational activities. They are more common in older people. Fair-skinned, blue-eyed, red- or blonde-haired people, who burn easily but tan poorly, are at particular risk.

How can we avoid them?

You can’t always prevent age spots but you can reduce your chances of getting them by avoiding the sun between 10am and 3pm when the sun’s rays are most intense.

We would also strongly advise wearing a sunscreen every day. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least SPF30. Please remember to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply it regularly, more often if swimming or sweating.

You can also protect your skin from UV rays by wearing protective clothing such as hats, long trousers, and long-sleeved shirts. UV-blocking clothes with an ultraviolet protection are also available. Avoiding sunbeds would also be advised.

Self-examination is also important to check if an age spot has started to bleed, itch or thicken. If you notice any of these things, please contact us immediately.

What can I do if I have sun spots already?

Elan Medical Skin Clinics can provide a range of treatments to help improve the appearance of sun spots, including cryotherapy, which freezes them with liquid nitrogen. This is an effective treatment that does not normally leave a scar, but it can be painful.

Cosmetic radiowave surgery is also effective. We use the latest advanced radio-wave technology, which is carried out under local anaesthetic and takes fifteen to twenty minutes. No stitches are required and scarring is minimal. It is normally possible to return to work immediately following the procedure.

Adequate sun protection is essential all year round and this will help prevent new sun spots from developing. We have a range of DermaActive products that have been specially formulated for sun damaged skin, such as our DermaProtect Day cream with SPF50, pressed mineral foundation that will help conceal age spots and our DermaRepair Programme that is ideal for ageing or sun damaged skin.

We have also devised a dermatology system containing prescription only products that are able to produce radical changes. Results start to appear around 6 weeks into the programme, although it can take up to 16 weeks for the full effects to be seen.

For more information please visit the British Association of Dermatologists, which also provides a range of patient information leaflets. Click here for more about actinic keratoses.

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