All the hormones released during pregnancy can have a dramatic effect on your skin and hair
Pregnancy Glow Hormones released during pregnancy, including increased oestrogen and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), can have beneficial effects on your appearance giving you a 'bloom' which gives sheen to your hair, a glow to your skin and a brightness to your eyes. This happens because your tissues are retaining more moisture that usual. Unfortunately, hormone fluctuations can have less positive effects on your appearance, too.
Melasma
These are dark patches of skin on the face. They are quite common and nothing to worry about – and will fade away again after pregnancy.
Linea Nigra
This is the name for a dark line which can appear running down from your naval to your pubic area. Once again, this will fade post-pregnancy.
Stretch Marks As you'd expect, these can be found on the abdomen and the breasts and are caused by the skin having to stretch over your pregnant body. Beauty companies would have you believe they can be avoided by applying moisturiser or oil to the area. In fact, because stretch marks are the sign of the skin's collagen and elastin breaking down deep below the skin surface, they're something that no moisturising agent will affect. Some research shows that Retin-A may help reduce their appearance.
Because I'm Worth It! One of the great by-products of pregnancy is a reduction in the amount of hair loss. This is caused by an increase in hormones which retains your hair and can leave you with a fuller than average head of hair. The downside is that this hair will eventually fall out after you've given birth. You may find your hair is dryer than usual during pregnancy, in which case use a heavier conditioner than you would normally buy.
All the hormones released during pregnancy can have a dramatic effect on your skin and hair
