Medforum: Pregnancy is a period during which many changes occur. What should you do to keep your skin in good shape before pregnancy?

Dr A. Damasiewicz-Bodzek: The skin should be taken care of at all times, especially if you are planning a pregnancy. The skin needs many vitamins and microelements to be in good condition. This also applies to the skin's appendages, i.e. hair and nails. Therefore, twice a year (autumn and spring), any deficiencies should be replenished using supplement preparations specially selected for the skin's needs for about four weeks. It is also very important to properly moisturise the skin and care for it, especially if we have sensitive skin, prone to irritation and allergies, dry skin, atopic skin, etc.

Medforum: Is a pre-conception visit to a dermatologist necessary?

Dr A. Damasiewicz-Bodzek: It certainly won't do any harm, and I would recommend it especially to ladies who suffer from chronic dermatoses (the course of which is often modulated by pregnancy) and to ladies who have a lot of nevi, especially pigmented nevi.

Medforum: How does a pregnant woman's skin adapt to the new situation?

Dr A. Damasiewicz-Bodzek: It gradually adapts, it is helped a little by pregnancy hormones, but in fact it can receive the greatest help from ourselves. I am referring, of course, to a healthy diet and proper skin care, especially in areas that are subject to strong and rapid stretching. The skin of the breasts, abdomen, buttocks and thighs, of course, requires such special attention.

Medforum: What skin changes should pregnant women expect?

Dr A. Damasiewicz-Bodzek: The most common skin symptoms of pregnancy include: increased sweating, increased skin tone, increased thickness of the fat pad, especially on the face, neck and hips, faster growth of hair and nails, hirsutism of pregnant women - the appearance of hair in the face, abdomen and lower abdomen (usually disappears after delivery), various pigmentary changes, redness and hypertrophy of the gums, striae (resulting from a rapid increase in the circumference of the abdomen, thighs, nipples), oedema (especially in the second half of pregnancy), particularly affecting the skin of the lower legs, palms, but in the morning can vestigially cover the entire skin, and dilatation of superficial veins in the nipples, abdomen, lower legs and a tendency to varicose veins of the lower limbs and anus.