Skin Care in Pregnancy: What Matters Now

Pregnancy is beautiful, but also quite exhausting – both for the mental state, as well as for the skin of pregnant women. The belly now needs special care and also the body and face care must be changed frequently, because the hormonal changes can have a strong impact on the skin.

Expert interview about skin care during pregnancy

Dr. med. Bernd Kleine-Gunk, head physician of gynecology at the Euromed Clinic Fürth and specialist in aesthetic medicine gives answers to what is important in care now.

Question: Dr. Kleine-Gunk, pregnancy also means major changes for the skin. Most women are aware of the risk of stretch marks, so the abdomen needs special care. What can you recommend?

Dr. Kleine-Gunk: Stretch marks are the most common cosmetic problem during this time.

They sometimes appear late, when the belly is really round. For this very reason, it is important to start with suitable skin care as early as possible, which prepares the skin for stretching. Natural-based skin care oils with ingredients such as vitamin E have proven particularly effective here.

Question: Which areas should be massaged?

Dr. Kleine-Gunk: All skin areas that are affected by the increase in volume should be cared for accordingly. So the abdomen and the chest, because stretch marks can also occur here due to the increase in size.

Treat water retention

Question: many women complain of water retention during pregnancy. The result is swollen legs and eyelids. What should be taken into consideration?

Dr. Kleine-Gunk: Minimal water retention is relatively common and harmless and can be kept in check by cold watering, elevating the legs or using cooled creams.

More severe water retention, especially if it occurs in conjunction with high blood pressure, can indicate medical complications – so pregnant women who notice water retention should definitely see their gynecologist.

Facial care is important

Question: do you have to change your facial care now?

Dr. Kleine-Gunk: Facial skin is particularly sensitive now. Mild products with a skin-neutral, slightly acidic pH of 5.5 do not irritate and keep the skin in balance. It is important to use a face cream now that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays. The hormonal changes make the skin very sensitive to the sun now, which can cause pigmentation disorders.

They are often localized on the zygomatic arches, upper lip and chin and usually recede spontaneously after pregnancy, but are still very disturbing at the moment.

Sunbathing is taboo

Question: should you not sunbathe at all during pregnancy?

Dr. Kleine-Gunk: During pregnancy, protection of the facial skin with high sun protection factors is an absolute must. Visits to the solarium are taboo, since pigmentation disorders are largely triggered by UVA radiation. UVA radiation penetrates window glass almost completely and is very strong even under cloudy skies – so it is important to apply a protective day cream even when the sun is not shining.

Sunbathing should be avoided. When spending time in the sun, clothing is the best protection – a hat with a wide brim effectively protects the skin of the face and does not stress the skin!