COLUMN: Skincare advice for pregnant and older women

Pregnancy

Due to a surge in hormones, changes in the skin can affect up to 90 per cent of pregnant ladies.

Also, you be surprised to know that pregnancy glow is not a myth!

Blood volume increases during pregnancy by almost 50 per cent, so vascular changes such as flushing and inflammation are not surprising.

Some other symptoms that can affect pregnant ladies are psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and last but not least Melasma which is more commonly known as ‘Pregnancy Mask’.

‘Pregnancy mask’ is the most common change to our skin during pregnancy.

It appears in light or dark patches of hyper-pigmentation and affects 70 per cent of pregnant women.

Although it cannot be prevented, the intensity of it can be reduced massively with the help of pigmentation products such as Powerbright by Dermalogica, proper exfoliants with lactid acid in them and less exposure to UV light. Do try to wear an spf 30+ too.

Menopause

When women experience the menopause, the whole physiology of your skin changes in new and different ways due to the fluctuation and sensitivity of your hormones.

This then leads to less estrogen and progesterone production resulting in prolific changes to your skin.

A few symptoms that affect us due to this are oily skin, facial hair, wrinkles and loss of elasticity, thinning skin, acne and hyper-pigmentation.

With the help of a skin therapist and effort from yourself with your skin care regimen at home, these symptoms can be managed and structure of your skin can be changed through this critical time.

Use clay based products to treat oily skin and breakouts - then I’d recommend the AgeSmart range from Dermalogica to treat anti-ageing.

If you’re interested in finding more information out about your skin then don’t forget to call in to the salon for your free face mapping skin analysis and some customised samples to take home. We’re located inside TONI&GUY Buxton.