Hormonal changes can result in the development of skin conditions or differences in appearance. This is especially evident when it comes to pregnancy. Pregnant women are prone to a wide range of dermatological problems apart from specific dermatoses of pregnancy. These physiologic skin changes usually do not impair the health of the mother or the fetus but some of them can be cosmetically significant.1 Given the prevalence of these skin conditions, it is common for pregnant, recently pregnant, or nursing women to look for skin care treatments and products to address their issues and concerns.

PREGNANCY & SKIN
Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone stimulate melanogenesis, which causes hyperpigmentation, including melasma. Common skin tumors in pregnant women include pyogenic granuloma, which occurs primarily in the gingiva and molluscum fibrosum gravidarum or skin tags.2 A study conducted in 2017 reported that physiological skin changes were seen in 94.8% of cases, with pigmentary changes being more common (90.8%).1
Simultaneously, a new hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is only present during pregnancy, also rises. This hormone is produced by the placenta to help the
body recognize pregnancy. While partially responsible for the “pregnancy glow," hCG, along with increased estrogen and progesterone, can result in unwanted skin changes.
A study by Urasaki in 2010 revealed that 91.1% of pregnant women developed skin
lesions associated with pregnancy and about 67.2% of those skin changes had been
affecting their confidence and health. Skin pigmentation is the most common problem during
pregnancy, followed by vascular changes, stretch mark, and acne vulgaris.3

THE AVOID LIST
There are certain aesthetics treatments and topical ingredients that should be avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Treatments to avoid include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, microcurrent, laser treatments, neurotoxins, and fillers. Ingredients to avoid include:

Lila Castellanos has focused her energies into the beauty industry for the past 19 years, specializing in skin rejuvenation. As a licensed aesthetician, she has lent her expertise to working as a paramedical aesthetician in the medical spa field as well as in both day spa and mobile spa business models. It was through these varied experiences, along with the interactions with her loyal clientele, that she honed her passion for improving and maintaining the health and integrity of her clients’ skin. Castellanos thrives on being able to use her extensive knowledge to customize each treatment to help her clients achieve the results they are searching for, from antiaging facial and, treating acne to minimizing the appearance of scarring and addressing skin conditions that arise as a result of hormonal changes.