Physiological Changes in the Skin During Pregnancy

    January 1997 in “ Clinics in Dermatology ”
    Susanne V. Elling, Frank C. Powell
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    TLDR Pregnancy can cause skin pigmentation, stretch marks, and changes in hair, nails, and sweat glands, with most resolving after birth.
    The 1997 document outlines the skin changes women experience during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts. These include increased pigmentation, vascular changes like spider nevi and varicosities, and structural changes such as striae gravidarum (stretch marks). Stretch marks affect up to 90% of pregnant white women, with a lower incidence in black or Asian women, and are caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. Skin tags, changes in sweat and sebaceous gland activity, hair thickening with potential postpartum shedding, and increased body hair growth are also noted. Nail changes and pregnancy gingivitis are mentioned, along with pruritus gravidarum, which causes severe itching. Nonpitting edema is common in the third trimester. Most of these changes typically resolve after birth, although some may have lasting cosmetic effects.
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