When you're pregnant, you may notice the first changes in your body and appearance after only a short time. Maybe your hair shines more than usual and your skin looks firmer—but it’s also possible that you suddenly develop blemishes, even if you never had issues before. The main reason for these changes is the hormonal shift that occurs in your body during pregnancy. In this article, you'll learn how your skin and hair needs change, what to pay special attention to in your body care during these nine months, and what you should avoid.
What changes occur during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, hormones such as estrogen,
progesterone, and hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) affect your entire body. Your skin and hair are also influenced by these changes. Among other things, hormones ensure that your connective tissue relaxes so your skin can stretch more easily. Not only on the belly, but also on the breasts, hips, and legs,
the skin of many pregnant women is stretched significantly. As a result, it is more prone to dryness , feelings of tightness can occur, and stretch marks may develop.
Additionally, your entire body has increased blood flow. For many women, skin during pregnancy therefore appears particularly rosy and gets the famous pregnancy glow. Pregnancy-related water retention can enhance this effect even more, helping small wrinkles fade and making the skin—especially on the face—look full and taut . Other women, on the other hand, struggle with blemishes during pregnancy. The reason is that your body produces more sebum due to hormonal changes.
Another change in your skin that you may notice during
pregnancy is that, due to the increased
hormone concentration, it produces more melanin and becomes especially light-sensitive . Melanin accumulates in various layers of the skin and becomes visible as darker spots. Typically, these skin changes occur on the forehead, chin, and cheeks, which is why they are sometimes referred to as the so-called pregnancy mask . The altered hormone levels are also responsible for the darkening of nipples, intimate areas, and the so-called Linea Nigra , the vertical dark stripe that many pregnant women notice on their baby bump,
. Once your hormone levels stabilize after childbirth, the pigmentation changes usually disappear on their own.
Your hair is also affected by the altered hormone levels. Estrogen ensures that its growth phase
lasts longer and that less hair is shed, so it can look fuller and longer
. For some pregnant women, hair grows faster, while for others it feels drier than usual.
Among the less visible changes, which you
should still consider in your care routine, is that your gums have increased blood flow , making them more sensitive and more prone to inflammation. Finally, hormonal changes can lead to increased clear and odorless vaginal discharge.
What should you pay particular attention to now?
To ensure your skin and hair are well cared for even under these “special circumstances,” there are a few things in your skincare routine to pay closer attention to—and you can adjust them as needed. Most importantly: listen to your body and its needs, and see skincare as an opportunity to get to know your changing body anew and do something good for it.
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Depending on whether your skin is drier or oilier
than usual, you should adjust your face care to your skin type—if you tolerate your current skincare well, there is no reason to change it.
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Hormonally induced Hautunreinheiten can be addressed with gentle cleansing and regular exfoliation. If you
are unsure which treatment is best for you, it may be worth making an appointment with a dermatologist or at a beauty salon.
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Because your skin is especially light-sensitive during pregnancy
, you should now pay particular attention to daily sun protection . You can either use a moisturizing cream with an integrated sun protection factor or apply sunscreen over your usual cream.
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When it comes to caring for your body , you can be a bit more generous than usual during pregnancy. For daily skincare, it’s best to use a rich moisturizer.
Lotion or an oil like LILLYDOO for mom pregnancy care oil . The oil, made from valuable
ingredients of 100% natural origin, is specially
tailored to the needs of skin during pregnancy: It promotes elasticity, protects against dryness, and can therefore help prevent stretch marks.
Even if regular moisturizing keeps your skin supple and can positively support the prevention of stretch marks, they cannot always be avoided—and whether you are affected is largely hereditary. You can learn more about how stretch marks form and how to prevent them in the
article 5 Tipps zur Vermeidung von Dehnungsstreifen während der Schwangerschaft ".
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Fluid retention , spider veins and varicose veins in the legs are among the less popular, but typical companions of pregnancy. Incorporate cold-warm alternating showers at the end of your shower to stimulate circulation and support blood flow back to the heart. Special gels with horse chestnut, grape leaf extract, or arnica can also improve circulation and may help relieve discomfort.
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If your hair gets greasy faster than usual, switch
to a gentle shampoo . In case of unusual dryness, a nourishing
hair treatment can help.
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Your oral care requires special attention during pregnancy: Make sure to brush your teeth regularly with a soft brush to help prevent bleeding gums, infections, and
cavities. You should schedule regular prophylaxis with your dentist right at the beginning of your pregnancy.
In addition to care rituals that are especially beneficial for you right now, there are also a few things you should avoid. However, you don’t have to give up other treatments entirely; with small modifications, you can continue many of them during pregnancy.
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When it comes to hair coloring during pregnancy,
caution is advised. Conventional dyes contain chemical substances that your body absorbs in small amounts. However, it has not been proven that dyeing your hair has a negative effect on your unborn child. If you want to play it safe, consider switching to plant-based hair color during these nine months or only dyeing highlights, as the color does not come into direct contact with your scalp. The effectiveness of perms or chemical smoothing during pregnancy is controversial. When in doubt, it is also advisable to wait until after birth and breastfeeding before proceeding with the next treatment.
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Nail polish and nail polish remover contain solvents and plasticizers. It has not been proven that inhaling these substances negatively affects your baby’s development—however, given the small quantities involved, the effect is questionable. Nevertheless, it is advisable to be cautious when painting your nails : In the meantime, it’s best to open a window and avoid inhaling the fumes. If you want to be completely sure, you can switch to so-called "free nail polishes." They are free from certain risky substances and allergenic ingredients. When choosing nail polish remover, opt for a product that is free of solvents like acetone. For gel and acrylic nails,
you should avoid them completely during pregnancy, as they contain more chemicals than nail polish.
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Strongly perfumed products can irritate your sensitive skin, even if you usually tolerate them well. Additionally,
your sense of smell is often more sensitive during pregnancy.
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To prevent infections that, in the worst case, can ascend to the uterus, your help is also required. Your vaginal flora
now needs special care. To avoid damaging your natural acid mantle, use either plain water or a special pH-neutral cleansing lotion for washing. Instead of synthetic underwear, which can provide a breeding ground for bacteria, choose cotton underwear that can be washed at 60°C.
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Due to increased blood circulation, your gums are more sensitive than usual. Bleaching products can irritate them even more
and may, for example, trigger periodontal disease.
Gum inflammation can, in the worst case, lead to pregnancy complications.
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A relaxing bath is generally not a
problem, and it can even do you good. However, make sure not to bathe for too long or too hot. Heat can not only strain your circulation but also dry out your skin if you bathe too frequently.
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Since piercing and tattooing slightly injure the skin,
both are associated with an infection risk that you should avoid during pregnancy. If you already have a piercing on your abdomen, chest, or in the genital area, you should remove it for the duration of the pregnancy. If you wish to have an epidural for the birth, it could
become problematic if you have a tattoo in the sacral area or above the lumbar spine. The puncture needle used for an epidural can carry pigment particles into the nerve space in the spinal canal. If you have such a tattoo and want to keep the option of an epidural open, mention this early during birth planning.
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Because your skin is especially during pregnancy
sensitive to light and more prone to pigment changes, you should avoid visiting the solarium besser während der Schwangerschaft zu vermeiden.
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Your entire body, and especially your skin, is now
more sensitive and may react differently to external influences than usual. Move cosmetic procedures and injections therefore to a time after pregnancy.
While the calming or regulating
effect of certain essential oils such as lavender, lemon balm, or rosemary can be beneficial during pregnancy, caution is advised with other aromas. Bay leaf, nutmeg, cloves, thyme, juniper, cedar, and cinnamon can induce labor and should not be used during pregnancy.
At first glance, the list of things to consider
for body care during pregnancy may seem long. However, every woman’s body is unique and reacts differently to pregnancy. While some pregnant women mainly notice positive changes, others need to noticeably adjust their usual care routine to meet the new needs of skin and hair
. Therefore, listen to your body and pay attention to what feels good for you now and supports your well-being. With a few modifications, you can hopefully experience these nine months feeling well cared for and free of discomfort—we wish you all the best!
