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Hormonal storm
.
This is how Dr.
Rosa del Río,
dermatologist at
GEDET
(AEDV Dermatology Group) and head of the
Pedro Jaén Group's Facial Aesthetics Unit,
defines the process that the skin goes through after giving birth.
It all has to do with what has happened to the body during the previous nine months, when
the skin on the face,
not just the body, has also had its own changes. If during pregnancy the skin tends to produce
hyperpigmentation
, which causes the appearance of
dark spots
in different areas of the face and body (abdomen, legs...), as well as
stretch marks
because the skin stretches very quickly, as noted
Myriam Yébenes,
CEO and director of the
Maribel Yébenes Centers,
it is logical that these signs be
extended to the postpartum period.
What happens to my skin during pregnancy, doctor?
Before 'attacking' postpartum skin, then, let's refresh
what happens to it during pregnancy.
Hormonal oscillations
can
have an impact on pigmentation alterations, causing the appearance of facial spots (melasma) or the darkening of the skin in certain areas of the body, such as
the areolas or the linea alba,
as stated by Dr. Rosa del Río.
"Some pregnant women experience an increase in sebum production, causing or aggravating
acne breakouts,"
continues the expert. And pathologies such as
rosacea
can also be aggravated during pregnancy. Further? During pregnancy there is a greater tendency
to dehydrate,
which can cause the skin to become dry, tight and itchy.
And how is the skin after childbirth?
If after giving birth you still don't recognize yourself in your own skin, it is logical, there is no need to panic. "It is normal for it to be
more dull and fatigued
with a lack of brightness and luminosity, which can lead to the appearance of
dark circles or bags under the eyes,"
says
Macarena Huelmos,
director of
Templa Medical.
During the postpartum period, and mainly due to hormonal variations, it is common for alterations in sebum production to occur that can lead
to acne breakouts.
Added to this are "other relevant problems from a dermatological point of view:
melasma on the face, the cesarean section scar
(if you have given birth by this method) and
stretch marks on the body,"
explains Dr. Rosa del Río. .
Myriam Yébenes emphasizes that "it must be taken into account that the changes may vary depending on each person and may be influenced by
pre-existing conditions before pregnancy."
Skin during breastfeeding, more postpartum
Postpartum and breastfeeding
go hand in hand, although not always. Macarena Huelmos lists the most common skin problems during breastfeeding:
Dryness:
due to hormonal changes and the fact that the mother may lose body fluids through milk production.
Sensitivity:
This may be due to hormonal fluctuations or fatigue related to caring for the baby.
Changes in skin tone
: especially if they developed melasma or chloasma during pregnancy.
Hyperpigmentation of the areolas:
During breastfeeding, it is common for the areolas to darken due to hormonal stimulation and increased blood flow to the area.
Myriam Yébenes adds that during the breastfeeding period the skin is more sensitive to external changes for hormonal reasons, also causing
acne breakouts or itching.
However, not everything is negative. "Despite the possible negative changes, some women notice an improvement in the general appearance of their facial skin during breastfeeding,
showing much more radiant skin,"
says Huelmos.
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Facial beauty routine for women who have just become mothers
"The basic facial care routine for a woman who has just given birth involves cleansing, hydration and
photoprotection
with products appropriate to the needs of each skin type," Dr. Rosa del Río does not hesitate to state.
It is very important to apply sun protection to control skin hyperpigmentation and the appearance of spots. To do this, according to Macarena Huelmos de Temple, you must
repeat the application of sunscreen
every two hours and use sunscreen
with SPF50.
Although during pregnancy there are cosmetic active ingredients prohibited at this stage, such as
retinol,
glycolic and salicylic acids
,
hydroquinone
(
depigmentant) or
essential oils
, dermatologist Del Río comments that during the postpartum they can begin to be used again. Huelmos and Yébenes are of the opinion of
avoiding them for a few more months,
however.
Myriam Yébenes, for her part, recommends some active ingredients such as
vitamin C,
which can help due to their anti-inflammatory and repairing properties.
When and how can postpartum spots and acne be treated?
Spots on the face, melasma, are indelible traces of the hormonal change that has occurred both during and after pregnancy. What assets work and when can they be used? "Against spots, in addition to daily photoprotection, depigmenting active ingredients such as
hydroquinone, kojic acid or tranexamic acid
combined with
topical retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids will be used,"
explains Dr. Rosa del Río. She also clarifies that although retinoids and hydroquinone should be avoided during pregnancy, after childbirth and during breastfeeding, depigmentation treatment can be restarted with these active ingredients.
Acne,
another workhorse after pregnancy, "is treated with cosmetic products and active ingredients for acneic skin that have been specially formulated for it, regardless of whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and topical retinoids can be used in the breastfeeding, although
oral breastfeeding is not recommended,"
Del Río continues.
In any case, in dermatological medical treatment it is the specialist who must prescribe the most appropriate treatment
for each situation and type of skin,
concludes the doctor.
Aesthetic treatments to combat the signs of aging after pregnancy
Antiaging aesthetic treatments
after
giving birth can be focused on several fronts. In general, comments Macarena Huelmo, "we must focus
on cleansing the skin,
eliminating impurities such as excess fat and dead cells, stimulating blood circulation, promoting
cell regeneration
and improving the general appearance of the skin."
For these purposes, in the beauty cabin, he recommends
manual facial hygiene,
JetPeel (facial hygiene with saline water), photodynamic therapies,
facial LPG
(which drain, stimulate circulation, tighten the skin), and manual massages with a lifting,
draining
effect.
,
with gua sha...
"With all this, we drain, repulp and tighten the tissue and also hydrate and nourish the skin to restore the moisture balance and improve its elasticity and softness," he confirms.
And, on the other hand, in the words of Myriam Yébenes, "it doesn't hurt to
stimulate the production of collagen and elastin
to improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin."
Of course, according to Huelmo, it is better to avoid, especially if you are breastfeeding,
radiofrequencies,
ultrasounds, chemical peels, pulsed light...
Does your face return to normal after pregnancy? When?
Generally, and although it may take a while for the postpartum hormonal storm to normalize,
the facial skin does return to its normal state.
And when, is the question that follows. "Complete recovery from the effects after pregnancy can vary from one woman to another. Some may be more temporary such as stretch marks, while others are permanent and require more recovery time. The combination of cosmetic and appropriate aesthetic treatments will help you. will help in the process, but we must be realistic and be aware that
the skin has undergone many changes
and it is difficult to return to the state prior to the pregnancy process," are the final words of Myriam Yébenes.
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