Kelly Kingston
Owner of SELF_ Mount Skin Community
There are many beautiful and special moments during pregnancy like the first time you hear your babies heart beat, their first kick or looking in the mirror and noticing that little bump that you can now differentiate between a generous Christmas lunch and an actual baby bump.
But there are also some things that can catch you by surprise! Like the changes to your skin during both pregnancy and postpartum.
We are very excited to have spoken with Kelly Kingston, owner of skin clinic SELF_ based in Mount Maunganui, about some of the more common skin issues you may face during this time.
Kelly is a very experienced skin therapist with 20 years in the industry and has owned her skin clinic SELF_ for the past 10 years.
Check out what Kelly had to say below about the changes you may see in your skin.
What are the most common skin concerns you see in pregnancy and postnatally?
"The most common in skin would be acne and pigmentation. Our skin changes so much as our hormones fluctuate, especially during and in the months following pregnancy and during breastfeeding."
Why do these changes happen?
"Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol are all key hormones that impact the way that your skin behaves and all are consistently changing through the baby years. Its very complex as to how and why.
For pigmentation, the pigment producing cells are stimulated by the sex hormones, add sun exposure to that mix and you have a whole heap of dark patches on your skin - typically above your lip and across the cheeks and forehead (it is often a Butterfly shape), this is called Melasma.
For Acne, it is usually excessive oil production that is stimulated by pregnancy hormones, androgens are particularly high in your third trimester which is when you may see more breakout. However it can also be caused by stress hormones from sleep changes, dietary changes and allergies and so many more things."
What can be done to support the skin during these changes?
"It is important to recognise that just as so many other parts of our lives and our bodies change, our skin will too. The most important thing you can do is to engage a professional to take care of your skin. We give personalised recommendations as far as ingredients, treatments and things you can do to manage your skin during periods of change. We are highly trained and experienced in treating skin but we need to understand all of the parts to the puzzle to be able to provide a path forward for you.
Over and above that, utilise tyrosenase inhibitors such as kojic acid and vitamin C and use a high quality physical broad spectrum sunscreen when you are out and about for the same reason. Physical sunscreens work by reflecting the suns rays off your face, they are really effective, without so many chemicals."
Your favourite piece of advice about absolutely anything?
"I live by the premise that in order to get, you have to give. By supporting, leading, guiding others and make contributions to their lives, you will also be well looked after. This is different from caring for myself first which I am also a firm believer in, hence why my business is called SELF_ - you have to care for yourself first, then you have the energy to give, then everything else gets looked after. So far this is working pretty well for me."
We are super grateful to Kelly for taking the time to share her knowledge in this area and hope this will help you to prepare for and understand any skin changes during this time.
To learn more you can head to the SELF_ Instagram page or visit their website SELF_ where Kelly and her team share lots of great advice about all things skin!
P.S Check back next month for our new Monthly Spotlight!