Dermatologists and midwives explain why pregnancy glow fades after delivery and share simple ways to maintain healthy, radiant skin
You’ve spent nine months looking like you hired a professional lighting crew to follow you everywhere. Strangers compliment your radiant complexion. Your cheeks have that coveted rosy flush. People keep asking what magical skin care products you’re using, and you smugly reply that it’s just pregnancy hormones doing their thing. Then you have the baby, and within days that goddess-level radiance evaporates like it was never there, leaving you staring in the mirror wondering where your glow went and if it’s ever coming back.
The phenomenon known as pregnancy glow is absolutely real, but so is its heartbreaking disappearance after delivery. Understanding why it happens and what you can do to maintain healthy skin afterward can help new mothers navigate the postpartum period with realistic expectations and effective strategies that don’t require an exhausting beauty routine.
The science behind your temporary goddess status
Pregnancy glow happens when estrogen levels increase during pregnancy, leading to dilated vessels and increased blood flow to your face, says Maryam Safaee, an LA-based board-certified dermatologist. Some people will have increased activity in their oil glands that gives an effect of a sheen to their skin.
The increased blood flow to the skin surface and extra production of skin hydrating oils and melanin make skin look bright with extra color in the cheeks, explains Tania Lopez, a certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix Medical Group in Fort Worth, Texas. Melanin produced in higher quantities during pregnancy makes skin look brighter, though it can also cause melasma or the mask of pregnancy.
Hair and nails also typically grow more quickly and appear stronger during pregnancy. During pregnancy, due to the increased estrogen, the hair will remain in the growth phase and is thicker and fuller appearing, Safaee says.
When reality hits after delivery
Pregnancy glow typically disappears soon after your baby is delivered, a harsh reality for mothers who hoped the radiant skin might last a bit longer. The glow starts to fade as soon as the placenta separates and the hormones circulating during pregnancy rapidly decline, and significant blood and fluid loss occurs, Lopez says.
You might not see a decline in the glowiness until a few weeks after your baby is born, according to Safaee. The good news is that melasma and dark spots on your skin typically start to fade after baby is born. Usually all of these changes gradually resolve post delivery, Safaee notes, though some may require topical treatments to get back to baseline.
How to maintain radiant skin after baby
While you may not fully replicate your pregnancy glow, there are simple things you can do to keep your skin healthy and vibrant without adding stress to your already overwhelming new mom schedule.
Master the basics first
Get plenty of rest, fluids, eat a variety of healthy foods and let your community support you with all of the above, Lopez says. Continue taking prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding and recovering from birth. Your skin and overall well being will thank you if you carve out a little time every day for self-care.
Hydrate and moisturize like your life depends on it
Your skin may be extra dry after you have a baby due to plummeting estrogen levels. Make sure to use a gentle cleanser and use moisturizers that contain ceramide, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, says Safaee. These ingredients are best for maintaining the skin barrier.
Keep expectations realistic
Accept that you might have duller, drier skin right after your baby is born. Most women will experience significant hair shedding postpartum known as telogen effluvium, Safaee says. Hair loss along with skin changes is temporary, though it might be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional or dermatologist if you feel your appearance has altered dramatically.
Simplify your skincare routine
A postpartum skincare routine should be simple enough to fit between feedings and diaper changes. Use your typical pre-pregnancy gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Lopez recommends avoiding harsh exfoliants and irritants because the skin barrier function might continue to be impaired and skin damage can occur.
Never skip the sunscreen
Sun protection will always remain paramount to a good skin care routine, says Safaee, who recommends broad spectrum mineral sunscreens over chemical-based versions. Sunscreen is especially important if severe darkening occurred due to increased melanin production to prevent worsening skin hyperpigmentation, Lopez explains.
Give yourself grace
It’s natural to feel disappointment when your skin doesn’t look quite as flawless after your baby arrives. Taking care of your skin afterward doesn’t have to be a burden. A simple moisturizer and cleanser can go a long way to restoring your skin’s former radiance. Priorities always shift after becoming a parent, but you will eventually land on a routine that works for your lifestyle. If you have further questions about your postpartum skin, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor, midwife or dermatologist.
SOURCE: yahoo