Pigmentation Pointers And Stretchmark Solutions

Up to 70% of women get hyper-pigmentation during pregnancy, and many experience some degree of stretchmarks. Here are the Sister Lilian Centre’s top tips for dealing with these conditions.

Pigmentation pointers

Hyper-pigmentation is darkening of the skin, caused by an increase of melanin levels during pregnancy. If you have hyper-pigmentation, you may have experienced a darkening of:

  • Your areolae around your nipples
  • Certain patches on your face
  • The line from the pubic bone to the navel in the middle of your belly
  • Areas like the genitals, inner thighs and underarms
  • Freckles, moles and skin tags
  • Any areas exposed to the sun

There is no safe treatment for hyper-pigmentation – most medications contain chemicals that may be toxic during pregnancy. In any event, pigmentation is a natural process and the pregnancy hormones will just cause it to reoccur. Instead, follow these ‘limitation’ tips:

  • Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun; use hats and sunscreens, and stay away from sunbeds
  • Ask your doctor to remove any moles that are bothering you
  • Don’t use bleaching creams or herbal preparations that might harm your baby
  • Use gentle, preferably organic, skin creams so you don’t irritate the areas of pigmentation

The good news is that most pigmentation marks resolve spontaneously in the months after birth, and are mostly gone by three to six months. If your pigmentation doesn’t fade, keep following the above tips. Homeopathic pigmentation remedies may also help at this stage.

Stretchmark solutions

Stretchmarks occur due to tearing of the collagen bundles just below your skin. It’s hereditary, so some women are simply more prone to them than others. To keep them at bay, you need to enhance the elasticity and cell strength of your skin. You can do this by:

  • Taking the tissue salt remedies Calc fluor and Ferrum phos, three times daily throughout pregnancy
  • Applying a nourishing lotion that contains Vitamins A and E
  • Using olive, almond or grapeseed oil and other tissue oils to nourish your skin

If you’re allergic or sensitive to skincare products, look for lotions or oils tested for sensitive skins and made by a reputable company. Remember to make sure it’s safe to use in pregnancy; read the label carefully, or contact the company to find out.