The 'glow' factor

The 'glow' factor when you’re pregnant is not just a radiant sign of inner joy, it's also a sign of very real changes going on within your body. Hormonal fluctuations mean lots of mums-to-be experience quite significant hair and skin changes – and not all of them leave you glowing. Read on for more about what to expect from your skin and hair when you’re expecting.

Skin: Complexion changes

Lots of women see skin changes during pregnancy that range from a clearer complexion, to more spots or a flare up of eczema. About 50% of women with eczema find their condition gets worse when they're expecting. If you're one of the lucky ones, you may be blessed by 'blooming' skin, which is largely due to increased levels of the hormone progesterone and better blood circulation. Your skin also retains more water which can plump away fine lines or wrinkles, giving you a more youthful appearance.

Skin: Redness and sweating

One downside of the infamous glow or a boost in circulation is an increase in body temperature. This extra warmth causes some women to experience skin redness, flushing and increased sweating. Similarly, while water retention may erase facial lines it can also lead to a puffy, swollen appearance. Either way, drink plenty of water as your skin will benefit from hydration.

Skin: Itching

Increased body temperature and hormonal fluctuations can add up to more sensitive skin when you're pregnant. Increased blood supply to the skin can cause itchiness and irritation too. Now is probably not the time to try out a new facial treatment or perfume. It may also be a good idea to change your skincare routine to include milder, more natural products that may relieve sensitivity. Treat yourself to a warm oatmeal bath which may soothe itchiness. Mild itching is usually nothing to worry about, but severe itching can indicate obstetric cholestasis, a liver condition that needs prompt medical intervention. Seek medical advice if itching is a problem or is severe.

Skin: Spots

It's not fair but it's not uncommon to start getting spots during pregnancy, even if your skin is usually as smooth as a baby's bottom. This is again down to pregnancy hormones. Unfortunately, some acne treatments are not safe for use when you're pregnant, so you may have to grin and bear it as breakouts come and go over the 9 months. Prescription medicines like the oral retinoid acne drug, isotretinoin, are definitely out, as they can cause harm to the baby. Natural products like tea tree oil may be fine, but check with your GP or pharmacist first before you use any over the counter treatments, as most products are certainly not tested on pregnant women.

Skin: Rashes

It can be normal to have skin rashes as your skin stretches, but if itching is followed by a rash of hives, small raised lumps, and large red inflamed areas of skin, that spreads from your bump to your trunk, under the breasts and arms and legs, it may be polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). This condition is annoying, but luckily, it clears up towards the end of pregnancy or after the birth, and poses no harm to you or the baby.

Skin: Sun sensitivity

Sensitive skin during pregnancy may mean you can't tolerate the sun the same way that you usually can. Your skin may also burn more easily. You'll probably be more comfortable in the shade anyway, given increased body temperatures and blood flow. Too much heat can lead to dehydration, itching and dizzy spells. Protect your skin, especially stretched tummy skin, with an SPF of at least 15 and cover up with loose, light clothing and a hat. Where possible you may want to pick a chemical-free sunscreen. The British Medical Association also advises against using fake tan in order to avoid allergic reactions.

Skin: Darkening

Patches of darker skin can often be one of the first signs you are expecting. Most pregnant mums see the skin around their nipple area (areolae) become darker, while moles and freckles may darken too. An estimated 2 out of 3 pregnant women develop darkened skin patches on the forehead, cheeks and neck. This is known as chloasma, melasma, or the 'mask of pregnancy'. Usually, this darker pigmentation reverts back to normal over time, but you can blend any uneven patches into your normal skin tone with a tinted moisturiser if it bothers you. Darker skin may persist in about 1 in 10 women.

Skin: Stretch marks

Stretch marks are streaky, red, pink, purple or brown skin markings that develop as your skin expands rapidly. They usually affect the tummy, breasts, hip and thigh areas and are actually scars caused as the middle layer of the skin tears during the second half of your pregnancy. The NHS says about 80% of pregnant women get them, and there's not a lot you can do if you're genetically predisposed to them. You can try to prevent or minimise them by gently exfoliating and moisturising affected areas. Staying well hydrated can also help skin elasticity. Lots of products claim to prevent stretch marks, but none are conclusively proven to do so. The good news is they don't have any effect on your baby and they often fade a lot after birth.

Skin: Tummy line

Sometimes a dark line develops that runs vertically down the tummy. This is called the linea nigra and can rise over your navel. It's about a centimetre wide and usually appears in the second trimester. This is also caused by an increase in pigmentation and happens when the muscles of your abdomen stretch to accommodate the baby. Like other dark skin markings, it usually fades after birth.

Skin: Varicose veins

These tiny dilated blood vessels are common during pregnancy, especially if you're already prone to them. They develop as a result of the increased blood flow in your circulatory system. Again, they often become less obvious after birth.

Skin: Soreness and chafing

Pregnancy puts your entire body under pressure and your skin is no exception. Extra perspiration or sensitivity can add to discomfort and cause soreness, rubbing or chafing in areas like under your breasts or between the thighs. You can help yourself by keeping these areas clean and dry, staying cool, and wearing natural fabrics like cotton. Avoid wearing tights that can make matters worse. In some cases, excess sweating or chafing can cause fungal infection. This can easily be treated so seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Skin: Eczema and psoriasis

If you have these skin conditions normally, they may worsen during pregnancy, although some women report them improving. Pregnancy hormones are believed to be behind the increase in flare-ups. You can help yourself by:

• Moisturising
• Avoiding soap and other triggers
• Shower and bath less
• Don't scratch at your skin
• Keep your nails short

Fortunately, flare-ups usually clear up on their own after the baby is born. Some topical treatments are safe to use during pregnancy. Ask your GP for advice about suitable ones.

Skin: Cosmetic surgery

It may seem like common sense, but just in case you were mulling over the idea, the medical regulator MHRA advises against pregnant women having cosmetic treatments like Botox or laser treatments. Even the makers of these products agree and say there are no adequate controlled studies of their use in pregnant women. It's fine if you used these products before you got pregnant, just wait until after the birth before using them again.

Hair: Volume

You may notice that your hair seems thicker during pregnancy. It's caused by the flood of the pregnancy hormone oestrogen. This slows down the normal cycle of hair growth, so you may have just 5% of your normal hair loss. You're not actually growing more hair, you're just holding onto it for longer. It's not just head hair that can become more voluminous. Of course, thicker body hair, from your eyebrows to your legs, may be a less welcome effect. This can be especially awkward as you need to avoid hair removal products during this time. It's because those creams are absorbed into your bloodstream and can pass through the placenta to the baby. Hair should gradually return to your normal thickness within 6 months after giving birth.

Hair: Colour and texture

It's less common, but some women notice colour and texture changes in their hair when they're expecting. If you normally have pin-straight hair, it may become wavy or even curly, or vice versa. Naturally light-skinned women may notice their hair becomes darker. These changes may not revert to normal and your hair may be changed permanently, but there's no way of predicting this.

Hair: Shedding after birth

Don't be alarmed if you feel your hair is falling out in clumps in the months after giving birth. You aren't going bald. Around 50% of women have this kind of excessive hair shedding known as postpartum hair loss. Normally, you don't end up with less hair than before you were pregnant. It just means your hormones are rebounding back to normal levels. If you do experience actual bald spots, seek medical advice as this may be the result of a nutritional deficiency such as anaemia, fungal scalp infection, postpartum thyroiditis or stress. Only about 1 in 1,000 women experience these kind of causes and successful treatment is available.

Hair: Dyes

According to the NHS, limited research suggests most semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes are safe to use during pregnancy. However, some research suggests really high doses of chemicals in dyes may cause harm. Many women decide to delay dyeing their hair until after the 12^th week of pregnancy, as this reduces any risk to your baby. Make sure you:

• Use gloves
• Don't leave colour on too long
• Dye in a well ventilated room
• Rinse really well after colouring

Highlighting hair rather than dyeing it is believed to reduce risk to the unborn baby.

Hair: Care

You can maximise the health of your hair during pregnancy and after the birth by:

• Taking your antenatal vitamins
• Treating your hair gently during the postpartum shedding period
• Avoiding blow driers, curling irons and tight hair bands
• Postponing chemical treatments like perms or dyes
• Seeking medical advice if you have any concerns.

Related reading

• Skin and hair changes in pregnancy
• Pregnancy myths and mums-to-be
• Antenatal vitamins
• Pregnancy discomfort
• Early signs of pregnancy
• Am I pregnant?
• All about stretch marks
• Folic acid and pregnancy