Advice for establishing a new post-childbirth skincare routine.

Pregnancy has effects on the skin due to hormonal upheavals. Indeed, during this period, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone significantly increase, which impacts the appearance of the skin. Oestrogens notably induce a stimulation of the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid by the fibroblasts.

Found in the extracellular matrix, all three contribute to the well-being of the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a macromolecule that works by retaining water in the skin, to prevent it from becoming dehydrated. The collagen and elastin fibres, on the other hand, provide tone and flexibility to the skin.

Simultaneously, progesterone accelerates the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, a compound that is part of the hydrolipidic film and protects the skin from dehydration and external aggressions. These hormonal variations are the reason why some pregnant women notice that their skin is more beautiful during pregnancy.

After childbirth, this trend reverses. Indeed, women are then subjected to a significant drop in hormones, which impacts the condition of their skin. This drop being progressive, women do not necessarily observe a major change in their skin immediately after childbirth. However, their skin gradually loses hydration and is no longer as well protected as during pregnancy.

It is therefore important to restore and hydrate the hydrolipidic film. To do this, apply a moisturising cream daily, suited to your skin type. To promote the absorption of active ingredients, do not hesitate to use a cleanser beforehand. It will gently remove pollution particles and impurities deposited on the skin and prepare the skin to receive the moisturising cream.

The mask of pregnancy is not exclusive to pregnant women. The risk of its appearance remains even a few months after childbirth. Indeed, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone take several months to return to normal after childbirth, and these steroid hormones are capable of stimulating the expression of melanocortin type I receptors (MCIR), playing a role in the melanin synthesis pathway. To avoid pigmentation spots, it is therefore important to continue applying a broad-spectrum sun protection daily, protecting against both UVA and UVB rays, on all exposed areas.

Following pregnancy, the skin of the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and breasts can develop stretch marks. These can also appear after childbirth, if weight loss is rapid. Indeed, stretch marks form when the collagen fibres in the dermis are subjected to significant tension and break.

To prevent or reduce their appearance, it is recommended to apply a nourishing and hydrating treatment twice a day to strengthen the collagen fibres. Apply the product to the risk areas and gently massage until fully absorbed. This can also serve as a moment of relaxation.

For this, we recommend using our stretch mark gel-to-oil, enriched with aloe vera (INCI name: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice) and baobab oil (INCI name: Adansonia Digitata Oil). This treatment provides flexibility and elasticity to the skin. It is applied twice a day and helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and prevent their occurrence.

It is important to note that no treatment can act on the white stretch marks, which are healed and permanent.

The postpartum period can be a challenging time for some women's hair. Indeed, it can become brittle, dull, or even fall out in clumps. This is once again a consequence of the drop in hormone levels.

Although the mechanism at work is not fully understood, researchers have observed a slight amplification of the telogen phase of the follicular cycle, the period corresponding to hair loss. This usually occurs between the second and third month after childbirth, but can also occur in the sixth month.

To avoid this, you can turn to fortifying serums, to be applied to the scalp, or to dietary supplements. This type of hair care is often based oncastor oil (INCI: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil) or biotin, a vitamin also used in dietary supplements.

However, it is important to clarify that numerous studies have been conducted on biotin, but the results have shown that its preventative action on hair loss remains limited.

• EKMEKCI T. & al. The changes in the hair cycle during gestation and the post-partum period. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2014).

• TYLER K. H. Physiological skin changes during pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics (2015).

• CASTELO-SOCCIO L. & al. A eeview of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disorders (2017).