Pregnancy, Beauty and Skin Care
Pregnancy will cause changes to a woman's skin. Not all woman experience the same changes such as a sudden new glow to the face and pinkish, reddish streaks - that turn into stretch marks - on the stomach. Skin care should continue with extra attention paid to the stomach area.
The pregnancy glow happens because the body produces 50% more blood, which in turn means more blood circulating through the body. This increase also causes the face to be brighter. In addition, the woman's body is producing more hormones that cause the oil glands to work overtime, leaving a shiny face.
Balancing out the beautiful 'glow', acne and pimple breakouts can happen and this extra hormonal activity causes the breakouts. The remedy is to regularly cleanse the face with suitable products, preferably chemical and paraben free. Stay away from acne medicated astringents as they may contain medicine that may not be recommended for pregnant women. If the acne gets too bad, go and see your GP about it. 
Some women experience the 'mask of pregnancy'. This is also referred to as melasma and chloasma. Melasma causes dark splotchy spots to appear on the face. These may appear on the forehead and cheeks and are a result of increased pigmentation. It is suggested that the 'mask of pregnancy' can be prevented by wearing a really good sunscreen, even in the winter. Mychoicebeauty.com always recommend the highest SPF - as high as 50. In the Summer, wear a hat or cap to protect the face as the skin is extra sensitive at this time. The sun increases the instances of these dark spots showing up on the face.
Those pinkish, reddish streaks - stretch marks (Striae gravidarum) - are the most commonly discussed pregnancy issue. As many as 90% of pregnant women will experience them. Using products, again chemical and paraben free, with Vitamen E have been said to help. Moisturing every day will have its benefits although there isn't a product out yet that has been medically proven to have a direct effect on stretch marks.
The legs also take a pounding whilst a woman is pregnant. Varicose and spider veins are widely reported. Varicose veins are bulky blueish veings that can appear during pregnancy. This is because, again, the body is having to cope with the extra blood flow going to the baby. Varicose veins can be uncomfortable and may be painful. Having a history of them in the family can also lead to having them. There are means to prevent or decrease the symptoms:
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avoid standing for a long time
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avoid excessive weight gain (apart from the baby, of course!)
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always lie with feet propped up on a stool when sitting down
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walk as much as possible to help the blood flow around the body
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avoid sitting down for a long time
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wear support stockings (change to maternity ones when the stomach gets bigger)
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ensure that the recommended daily dose of vitamin c is taken or eaten (800 micrograms) see www.netdoctor.co.uk for recommended dosage
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sit with legs raised above the head (can be a bit difficult in the later stages of pregnancy, so raise them as high as is comfortable)
Spider veins, also known as spider nevi, are really small reddish/purple blood vessels that branch outward and can be caused by the increase in blood circulation. They do not hurt and have been known to appear on the face, neck, upper chest and arms as well as legs. They usually disappear soon after delivery. There are treatment methods available if the spider veins don't disappear, such as scelotherapy or laser. It is also reported that caucasian women are more prone to spider veins than african-caribbean women. 
As the woman's belly area stretches and tightens, this can cause uncomfortable dryness and itching. If moisturing measures are being used to help prevent stretch marks, then this should help. Again, make sure that the right creams are used for pregnant women.
What can be abnormal skin conditions in pregnancy? Skin disorders that occur during pregnancy can be:
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rashes specific to pregnancy, called specific dermatoses (skin disorders) of pregnancy.
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non-specific rashes that could occur at any time.
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itching without rash.
These disorders can cause harm to both mother and baby, so seek medical advice if there are any skin changes that seem abnormal. Itching without rash can be normal or abnormal in pregnancy. Advice should be sought if itching occurs after the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy, or if it keeps getting worse.
Rashes that only occur in pregnancy are:
Another major change to the skin is the dark line that appears from the naval to the pubic bone. This is called the linea nigra and appears normally around the fourth or fifth month. Again, it is thought that this is is caused by the imbalance in hormones. There are no treatments for the linea nigra but it will fade after the baby is born.
Some women experience the appearance of skin tags that are small, loose growths of skin, usually appearing under the arms or breasts. After pregnancy, they may disappear. If not, they can be removed - visit the GP first.
Pesky hormones can also contribute to the darkening of freckles, moles and other skin areas, such as the nipples. This is mainly due to an increase in oestrogen levels and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Melanocytes are the cells within the skin whose concentration determines the degree of pigmentation of the skin. There is nothing that can be done to prevent this darkening. However, if a mole or freckle changes shape or appearance, seek advice from the GP.
If, during pregnancy, you are worried about anything, go and see your GP. There are a few good websites out there, such as www.babycentre.co.uk, www.netdoctor.co.uk, www.babyandpregnancy.co.uk but these will not replace the advice and help from your GP.
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