New Data on the Perception of Pregnancy-Related Skin Changes

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There is an overall lack of awareness for treatment of the most common pregnancy-related skin changes like hyperpigmentation and cellulite, according to new research.¹ It was found that pregnant women rely too heavily on social media’s unrealistic expectations, thus creating gaps in knowledge and patient satisfaction.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 31, 2024, and July 1, 2024. It included 337 adult women in the Hashimate Kingdom of Jordan who had previously been pregnant. Most of the participants were over 40 years of age, and 40.9% of them already had ≥ 5 pregnancies. Over 40% breastfed their babies for the first year after birth. Through anonymous, electronic questionnaires, researchers collected patient data on socio-demographic characteristics, past medications, skin-related complaints before and after pregnancy, skincare usage, and their associated knowledge of these products.

Over 60% of respondents had their last pregnancy ≤ 10 years ago. Most of them (55.8%) used multiple supplements during and/or after pregnancy. These include iron, multivitamins, skin, hair, and nail supplements, vitamin D, and calcium. Only 25.5% were using chronic medications during pregnancy, mainly thyroid and antihypertensive agents (p < 0.05)

Pregnancy-related skin changes like hyperpigmentation, hair loss, cellulite, and wrinkles were predominant in 91.2% of survey participants. In particular, 100% of women complained of hyperpigmentation that occurred during or after pregnancy as linea nigra, darkened areolas, and melasma. Just 59% had these concerns before pregnancy. However, only 34% of patients who complained of any skin conditions were clinically diagnosed by a dermatologist.

Despite this, only 4% of patients used depigmentation products and only 17% used sunblock. About 41% utilized a basic skincare routine that included cleanser and moisturizer. Interestingly, conditions like body hair growth, eczema, dark eye circles, and acne declined during and after pregnancy compared to the rates before pregnancy. 

Women noted that most of their skincare knowledge came from social media or the advice of non-professionals like friends or family members. It is worth noting that 41.3% of participants worked in the medical, allied medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetology fields. About 42% were purchasing their products from retail pharmacies. A low percentage of these patients (39%) were satisfied with any treatments they used and believed they saw a reduction in symptoms, although societal pressures and unrealistic expectations typically led to dissatisfaction. Additionally, 43% of the participants experienced some adverse effects from these therapies, with skin redness being the most common one. Only 21% sought out dermatological care for these adverse events.

“These findings shed light on the need that even for women with medical education or professional backgrounds, it is still vital that they should be informed by their health care provider about the importance of enhancing their knowledge, as well as the need to rely on trusted sources of information regarding the use of skin care products during or after pregnancy periods,” the authors wrote. “These trends also emphasize the need for promoting safe skin care practices during pregnancy and addressing beauty norms that perpetuate such behaviors.”

The changes in estrogen, progesterone, and other pregnancy-specific hormones have an impact on skin physiology.² Most of these changes in skin resolve postpartum but cultural perceptions of beauty and false misconceptions may suggest that these can be permanent or lead to underlying issues. This may lead women to test unsafe therapies.

In summary, the study authors emphasize clearer communication with pregnant women regarding their skin. The promotion of dermatological care with evidence-based, safe medical advice can help prevent the misuse of products while setting realistic expectations for pregnant and postpartum patients.

References

1. Aladwan S, Issa R, Al Safadi W, Alnsour L, Al-Halaseh LK. Perceptions and Management of Pregnancy-Related Skin Changes: A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Practices, and Use of Skincare Product. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(4):e70132. doi:10.1111/jocd.70132

2. Gupta, S. N., Madke, B., Ganjre, S., Jawade, S., & Kondalkar, A. (2024). Cutaneous Changes During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus, 16(9).