Your body changes in myriad ways while you’re pregnant. The biggest issues are stretch marks, brown spots and varicose veins, which can be frustrating because there’s no way to fully prevent them, said Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, founder of Entière Dermatology.
Here’s what two New York dermatologists advise.
What these are: Also known as striae, stretch marks are lines or streaks on the skin that are usually caused by rapid changes in skin elasticity. During pregnancy they typically appear on your stomach.
What to do about them: Moisturize a couple of times a day with products that include cocoa butter, shea butter, almond oil or vitamin E as to prompt more elasticity.
Dr. Levin also advised eating a balanced diet rich in vitamin C, E, zinc and protein to support healthy skin and aid skin elasticity.
“Another option is to massage the skin, but there’s not a lot of data there to support that this works,” said dermatologist Hadley King, MD. Regular exercise can also help maintain skin elasticity.
Dr. King’s product picks: Apply either Bio-Oil (formulated to maximize skin elasticity) or Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Pregnancy Stretch Marks a few times a day.
What these are: These swollen veins occur due to the increased pressure on the veins coming back up from the legs.
What to do about them: Regular activity, such as swimming, walking and prenatal yoga can improve blood circulation and strengthen the leg muscles, Dr. Levin said. Take frequent breaks to move around, especially if your job requires long periods of sitting or standing. “Elevate your legs whenever possible, especially when resting or sleeping,” she said.
Dr. King’s product picks: Compression socks or stockings, such as those made by Jobst or Figs, can be helpful because they put pressure on your veins and increase the blood flow from your legs.
What these are: Brown spots on the skin, often referred to as ‘pregnancy mask’ or melasma, are due to hormonal changes. “They typically appear on the face, particularly on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip,” Dr. Levin said. “There are other brown spots that can develop during pregnancy so see a dermatologist to get the correct diagnosis.”
What to do about them: You can take steps to minimize its occurrence and reduce its severity. This includes limiting sun exposure and using a sunscreen, SPF 30 or above, even on cloudy days. “Reapply your sunscreen every two hours when outdoors and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses,” Dr. Levin said.
Dr. King’s product picks: Look for products with skin-brightening ingredients, such as vitamin C and glycolic acid (less than 10%), both of which are considered safe during pregnancy. Consider applying Even Tone Correcting Serum by SkinBetter Science.