Pregnancy Skin Care as Explained by Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic

Pregnancy Skin Care

Hello. We are Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic. As the temperature difference between day and night grows larger and the full swing of seasonal change begins, concerns about skin care are increasing. In particular, pregnant women experience skin changes and problems because their skin becomes more sensitive and rough due to various factors such as hormonal imbalance and lowered immunity. Today, we would like to share information about pregnancy skin care.

The moment pregnancy is confirmed, everything becomes cautious. A woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy and childbirth, and especially with sudden skin changes, stretch marks appear, elasticity declines, and the body shape noticeably becomes less firm, marking a turning point in life. That is why so much care is put into postpartum management, and just like a pregnant woman's health, how the skin is managed from early pregnancy through after childbirth can determine the maintenance of youth and beauty.

Early Pregnancy

In early pregnancy, the body, mind, and skin are all in a very unstable state while adjusting to hormones, so stress-related skin problems can occur. The whole body may become dry, with a lot of dead skin cells and a feeling of itchiness. In addition, as the amount of blood delivered to the baby increases, skin dehydration becomes more severe, and areas of the body, which secrete less sebum than the face, become even drier and feel tight. Since dry skin ages more quickly, care should be taken with exfoliation at this time.

Use a gentle, non-irritating scrub to smooth the skin texture and apply plenty of hydrating products. On the hips and abdomen, where weight is gained rapidly, scrub in circular motions, and paying special attention to the back area may also help with insomnia.

Late Pregnancy

In late pregnancy, the skin tone becomes dull due to the rapid increase in melasma, blemishes, and freckles.

During pregnancy, when female hormones rise rapidly, melanin pigment is produced excessively, causing blemishes such as melasma and freckles to appear. Among female sex hormones, estrogen, which plays the most important role, has a positive effect in increasing skin regeneration and worsening sebaceous gland function, but it also stimulates melanocytes and causes pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation mainly occurs on the areola and armpits from the third month of pregnancy, and 70% of pregnant women develop melasma on the face. Usually, after childbirth, when hormone levels return to normal, it improves somewhat, but it does not disappear completely, so treatment may be needed depending on the condition. For pregnant women, the safest skin care is to consistently maintain basic care.

Stretch Marks

During pregnancy, stretch marks appear on areas that gain a lot of weight, such as the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Stretch marks, often called “pregnancy lines,” are common when skin elasticity is poor, weight gain during pregnancy is significant, or the pregnancy is at an older maternal age.

Stretch marks are not a problem on the skin surface but scars caused by tissue damage in the dermis, and once they form, they are difficult to remove. They usually appear when a person suddenly grows taller or larger during growth stages, and they commonly occur on the thighs, hips, and calves. During pregnancy, an increase in adrenocortical hormones damages collagen and elastin and causes expansion, leading to inflammation in the skin tissue of the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, and calves.

To prevent stretch marks, moisturizing care is essential for skin elasticity. The drier the skin, the easier it is for it to split, so apply oil or cream evenly to the abdomen, thighs, and hips and gently massage. The best approach is to thoroughly prevent stretch marks through moisturizing and elasticity care, and after childbirth, active treatment is possible through dermatology care.

Essential Care for Pregnant Women

Basically, as mentioned above, because it is easy to become low in moisture, you should apply hydrating products sufficiently and exfoliate well. Swelling care is also essential, and you should apply sunscreen before going out. During pregnancy, pigmentation in the body tends to darken due to hormones, so freckles and melasma that were faint may become darker, and new melasma may appear, so special care should be taken to avoid exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. When going out, be sure to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 PA++ or higher, then wear a hat or use a parasol to avoid direct exposure to UV rays. Since skin cell production is most active from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., it is best to get plenty of restful sleep. It is also good to consume plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins. A mother's body is a life space where the fetus grows for ten months by eating and breathing, so smoking, drinking alcohol, and junk food are things pregnant women must avoid. With thorough self-care, including sufficient sleep, you can steadily maintain beautiful skin.

Pregnancy Care at Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic

At Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic's aesthetic care, pregnancy care can achieve effective treatment results through pregnancy skin problem care, swelling management, and skin soothing care.

At Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic, some treatments such as melasma or freckles are possible during pregnancy after tissue examination, but laser procedures or medication are not recommended because of the high risk of recurrence and to reduce risk to the fetus. Instead, medical skin care programs that do not use laser devices, such as oxygen therapy or anion care, are all available. “Oxygen therapy” is a treatment that pushes 100% pure oxygen deep into the skin through an ampoule spray method, and it is effective for pigmentation, collagen regeneration, capillary constriction, and reducing acne bacteria. It brightens dull skin and provides elasticity and moisturizing benefits. “Anion care” generates high-concentration negative ions and supplies them to the body through the skin and breathing, reducing active oxygen and inducing skin cell regeneration, making it effective for improving troubled and problematic skin such as inflammation, allergies, and atopy.

Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic's premium aesthetic care includes premium aesthetic care that is suitable for any skin type and skin concern, and it provides not only pregnancy care but also acne care, whitening care, wrinkle care, atopy care, and wedding care as personalized one-on-one care.

In addition, Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic provides customized treatment programs with more than 60 state-of-the-art premium laser devices and has treated the skin of numerous patients based on more than 600,000 clinical cases. We carry out customized combination treatments according to each patient's skin condition.