5 Beauty Surprises That Happen During Pregnancy
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Pregnancy changes your body in a lot of ways, including physically, emotionally, and hormonally. It is one amazing journey that has so many unpredictable twists and turns (pun intended) all thanks to your swinging hormones. And yet, despite reading all the pregnancy literature online, discussing things with fellow mothers, and even seeking advice from the doctor, you’ll never know what surprise it’ll spring on you next. Once such area where you can expect surprises from your pregnancy hormones is the way they affect your beauty, for good as well as bad (albeit temporarily). So, here are 5 beauty surprises that might happen to you during pregnancy:
1. Pregnancy Glow
A lot of fellow mothers would have shared this special anecdote of their pregnancy when they were complimented for their pregnancy glow. No wonder then that most expecting mothers look forward to this phase. While the real reason for this glow is pretty much unknown, the hormonal changes that make your oil glands to produce more oil are thought to be one of the reasons. Another reason for this could also be the increased blood flow during pregnancy, which is approximately 50% more than usual (1). These factors together give a healthy glow to your skin and face.
2. Pregnancy Mask
No, by this we do not mean the beauty mask. While on one hand, the increased blood flow can give you a glowing look, on the other, the hormonal changes during pregnancy can give you dark patches of skin on the T-Zone (forehead, nose, and upper lips) and the cheeks. Also known as melasma, this hyperpigmentation is triggered by an increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy (2). More often than not, melasma gradually disappears after childbirth.
3. Rosy Cheeks
Ever wished you could apply some rouge on your cheeks, but never got it right? Don’t worry. If you are lucky, you might get a natural tinge of rosy color on your cheeks. Known as rosacea, this rare condition is marked by redness around the cheeks (3). This is due to the inflammation of the blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. It affects a small percentage of pregnant woman. Although the exact reason for this condition is unknown, environment and heredity are considered to be the contributing factors for the flare-ups. And a pregnant woman’s delicate hormones become easily susceptible to such flare-ups!
4. Linea Nigra
Most pregnant women are generally surprised to find a fine black or brown line running across their baby bump. This line is called linea nigra, literally meaning black line. Although this line generally appears around the 5th month, it can appear early too. Again, the exact reason for its appearance is hitherto unknown. However, it is widely believed to be a result of the melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which is created by the placenta (4). Thus, the reason behind the location as well.
5. Skin Tags
Your pregnancy hormones can play around quite a bit with the production of skin cells as well. Therefore, if you see some extra skin growth anywhere around your body, do not freak out. These tiny bits of skin might appear at any point where your skin rubs against clothes or possible areas of friction. These ugly bits of polyps not only look unsightly but will also cause you discomfort or uneasiness if they get caught in your hair or fine threads of your clothing. However, the silver lining is that they disappear on their own after childbirth (5).
It is quite possible that you might not have known some of the ‘beauty’ surprises listed here, especially if you are a first-time mom. And, there may be some that you were already aware of. Whatever may be the case, there is no denying that pregnancy is a journey that never ceases to surprise us. Just like the magician’s hat – you’ll never know what will come out of it next. So, just sit back and cherish this journey. All the best to you!
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