Holey Moley!

Stretch marks aren’t the only things that might make an appearance during pregnancy.

Three surprising pregnancy skin changes:

1. Moles They may grow faster, get darker and increase in number or size, says Charles Crutchfield, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “Anytime there’s a changing mole, you should check with your health care provider,” Crutchfield says.

2. Breast hair “During pregnancy there is an increase in all hormones, including androgen, the male hormone responsible for hair growth,” says OB-GYN Matthew K. Hoffman, M.D. The growth usually slows after delivery. Until then, get out your tweezers.

3. Spider veins Hormonal fluctuations and increased blood volume cause vessels below the skin to become more visible— resulting in web-like streaks, Crutchfield says. Spider veins aren’t harmful and can’t be prevented. They may or may not go away, but a dermatologist can remove them with a laser. 

Can I get laser hair removal while pregnant?
The safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy has not been thoroughly studied, so it’s not recommended, says Jeannette Graf, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Graf also suggests steering clear of chemical depilatories, since it’s not known if these are absorbed into the skin.

Safer alternatives include waxing (as long as you’ve done it before and know you’re not prone to ingrown hairs, which can be difficult to treat during pregnancy), electrolysis (again, not for first-time users because of sensitivity issues), threading, tweezing and shaving.
 

Bathing beauty
Bubble baths made for baby contain gentle ingredients, and they’re perfect for babying your skin, too. Just be sure that your bath water is warm—up to 98.7° F—not hot. Steamy water has been shown to cause birth defects such as spina bifida during the first trimester; for this reason, hot tubs should also be avoided.

	Nature’s Baby Organics Bubble Bath ($13)
	Johnson’s Baby Bubble Bath & Wash ($4)
	California Baby Calming Aromatherapy Bubble Bath ($14)