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In brief
- After giving birth your hormones change again. Many women notice this as drier, more restless or more sensitive skin.
- Spots from your pregnancy, the pregnancy mask, react to sun and heat. That is why daily sun protection is the first thing that helps.
- While you are breastfeeding we don't do acid peels, the herbal peel or microneedling. Cleansing, hydrating and calming treatments are fine.
- After breastfeeding we look together at what is still there, and tackle it.
- If you are not breastfeeding, we discuss at the first skin appointment when peels and microneedling fit again.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
What happens to your skin.
During pregnancy, hormones sent your skin in a different direction. After giving birth they drop again, and you notice that too. For one woman the skin becomes drier and tighter, for another spots appear. Your skin also often reacts faster to products that used to be fine.
Then there are the spots. The pregnancy mask, dark patches on your cheeks, forehead and upper lip, slowly fades for many women in the months after giving birth. For others it stays. Sun and heat make it darker, so protecting your skin pays off, now too.
And short nights show in your face, especially around your eyes. More about the skin under your eyes is in bags and dark circles.
What is possible while breastfeeding?
| Topic | While breastfeeding | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Cleansing facial | Fine | We keep it gentle, because your skin may react faster |
| Hydra treatment | Fine | Nice for skin that feels dry and tight |
| Connective tissue massage | Fine | Your skin doesn't need to recover and doesn't turn red |
| Acid peels | Wait | Until after breastfeeding |
| Herbal peel | Wait | Until after breastfeeding |
| Microneedling | Wait | Until after breastfeeding |
What we do and postpone during pregnancy itself is in skincare during pregnancy.
What helps with which concern?
Dry, tight skin
A richer cream and a hydrating treatment. A hydra treatment is also fine while breastfeeding.
Spots and blackheads
A gentle facial cleanse clears your pores. We plan a peel after breastfeeding.
Patches that stay
First, sun protection every day. After breastfeeding we take a gentle approach, because hormonal pigmentation reacts badly to harsh treatment. See pigmentation.
Skin that feels less firm
Connective tissue massage gives your skin a firmer feel straight away. For lasting firmness you choose microneedling later. More in sagging skin.
What you can do at home.
Keep your routine short: gentle cleansing, a cream that suits how your skin feels now, and sun protection during the day. Three steps you do every day work better than seven you drop after two weeks.
If you are unsure whether a product with retinol or acids is fine while breastfeeding, ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist. We help you with a gentle routine for this period.
See your GP first or your midwife.
If you have itching or a rash that doesn't go away, inflamed spots that hurt or a spot that changes shape or colour, have your GP or midwife look at it first.
Frequently asked questions about skin after pregnancy
Why is your skin so dry after giving birth?
After giving birth your hormones drop again, and many women notice this as drier or more sensitive skin. A richer cream and a hydrating treatment help. A hydra treatment is also fine while breastfeeding.
Does the pregnancy mask go away by itself?
For many women it slowly fades in the months after giving birth, for others it stays. Sun and heat make it darker, so apply sun protection every day. If it stays, we take a gentle approach after breastfeeding.
Can you have a facial while breastfeeding?
A cleansing, hydrating or calming treatment is fine. Acid peels, the herbal peel and microneedling we postpone until after breastfeeding.
When can you have a peel or microneedling again after giving birth?
If you are breastfeeding, after breastfeeding. If you are not, we discuss at the first skin appointment when it fits again.
Why do you get spots after pregnancy?
Because of your hormones, which change again after giving birth. A gentle facial cleanse and a short routine help. Inflamed spots that hurt should be checked by your GP first.
What helps with less firm skin after pregnancy?
Connective tissue massage gives your skin a firmer feel straight away and is also fine while breastfeeding. For lasting firmness you choose microneedling after breastfeeding.
Can you use retinol while breastfeeding?
Ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist that question. We help you with a gentle routine for this period.
Which treatment suits you after pregnancy?
That depends on what your skin is doing now and whether you are breastfeeding. At the first skin appointment we look at your skin together and treat it straight away, for €69.00.
What does a facial cost at Moons?
A facial costs €59.00 to €89.00, a hydra treatment €79.00. You'll find all prices on the prices page.
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