Pregnancy + Postpartum

Pregnancy & Postpartum: What’s Happening to Your Skin and Hair

Pregnancy is often sold as a time of glowing skin and luscious hair. And sometimes, it is. But for many, it’s also the beginning of unexpected pigmentation, dry and reactive skin, breakouts, or everyone’s favourite postpartum hair loss.

These changes aren’t random. They’re hormonal. And understanding what’s behind them is the first step to caring for your skin and hair during (and after) this intense but beautiful season.

HORMONES AT PLAY DURING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM

During pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone levels rise sharply. These changes support your baby’s development, but they also affect your skin, scalp and hair in surprising ways. After birth, hormones drop suddenly, often causing new symptoms or intensifying existing ones.

Key Hormonal Changes:

● Oestrogen increases during pregnancy, improving skin hydration and delaying hair shedding. After birth, it drops, triggering hair loss.
● Progesterone can lead to oilier skin and congestion.
● Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) increases, often causing pigmentation (like melasma).
● Prolactin and cortisol levels fluctuate postpartum, contributing to inflammation, sensitivity and delayed healing.

Common Skin and Hair Concerns During This Phase:

1. Melasma (Hormonal Pigmentation)
Dark patches on the cheeks, forehead or upper lip, often made worse by sun exposure. Common during pregnancy and may linger postpartum.

2. Postpartum Hair Loss
Typically starts 2–4 months after birth due to the sudden drop in oestrogen. Temporary, but understandably distressing.

3. Dryness, Flakiness & Dehydration
Changes in hydration and lipid production can leave skin feeling tight or irritated.

4. Increased Sensitivity & Redness
Your skin barrier can become more reactive, especially if you were using active ingredients pre-pregnancy.

5. Breakouts or Congestion
Higher progesterone can increase oil production, leading to more breakouts, especially in the first trimester or postpartum.

6. Dull or Sluggish Skin
Lack of sleep, hormonal shifts and slower cell turnover can result in a flat, tired complexion.

INGREDIENTS TO USE WITH CONFIDENCE

These ingredients are generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and can actually help support your skin through this stage:

● Hyaluronic Acid – Deep hydration without irritation
● Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – Calms inflammation, supports barrier function, and helps regulate oil
● Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – Brightens, supports collagen and fights pigmentation
● Kojic Acid – A natural metabolite that can help lighten dark spots by inhibiting melanin production.
● Azelaic Acid – Treats pigmentation and acne gently
● Lactic Acid – Mild exfoliation and hydration
● Squalane – Nourishes and strengthens the skin barrier
● Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide – Pregnancy-safe physical sunscreens
● Ceramides – Rebuild and protect the skin’s natural barrier
● Panthenol (Vitamin B5) – Soothes and hydrates
● Peptides – Help support skin repair and firmness

Always check with your healthcare provider before starting new skincare during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

INGREDIENTS BEST AVOIDED DURING PREGNANCY

Some ingredients are known to be potentially harmful or insufficiently studied for safety during pregnancy. These are best left out of your routine for now:

HOW WE TREAT PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM SKIN + HAIR IN CLINIC

We tailor every treatment to the individual. That means assessing your skin’s current state, understanding your hormone history and cycle stage, and working within safe parameters — especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Popular Treatment Options Include:

● Bump Bliss Ritual – A pregnancy-safe spa treatment designed to soothe swelling, tension and fatigue.
● Desensitising Facials – Calms redness and restores barrier function.
● Low-Level Peels (like lactic or enzyme peels) – Help with dullness and congestion.
● Postpartum Pigment Support – A tailored plan to address melasma, including mesotherapy, microneedling, or pigment-correcting actives, only once breastfeeding has ceased.

POSTPARTUM PIGMENT TREATMENTS (After Breastfeeding)

Once breastfeeding has finished, we’re able to take a more active, clinical approach to treating stubborn pigmentation like melasma.

Unlike the gentle options we use during pregnancy and nursing, post-weaning treatments allow us to work deeper within the skin using advanced modalities such as:

● Microneedling – Helps break up pigmentation and stimulate cell turnover.
● Targeted mesotherapy – Infuses pigment-suppressing ingredients directly where they’re needed.
● Peptide and enzyme-based bio-stimulators – Support repair, reduce melanin activity, and rebuild skin integrity.
● Higher-strength resurfacing peels – Carefully selected to treat deeper pigment, improve clarity, and refresh tired skin.
● Prescription-strength pigment regulators – Used with medical guidance where appropriate.

These treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all—we assess your skin’s recovery after pregnancy, tolerance levels, and goals to create a safe, effective plan that gets real results.

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OUR GO-TO PRODUCTS FOR THIS PHASE

RADIANCE ULTIMATE MESOSERUM

Toskani

What it's for: Targets pigmentation caused by pregnancy hormones, including melasma. Helps brighten uneven skin tone and supports skin radiance and elasticity post-birth.

How to use: Apply 2-3 drops to the face, neck and décolletage morning and night. Allow to dry before layering moisturiser.

Ingredients: Tranexamic Acid, Vitamin C, Kojic Acid (liposomal), Encapsulated Brightening Complex.

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PRETTY IN ZINC SPF50+ DREAMSCREEN

Airyday

What it's for: A pregnancy-safe daily SPF that prevents melasma and other hormone-triggered pigmentation. Also acts as a calming primer for sensitive, irritated skin.

How to use: Apply as the final step in your morning routine. Smooth over face, neck, décolletage and hands. Reapply as needed throughout the day.

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins C, E & F, Blue Oleòactif.

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ANTI-HAIR LOSS LOTION

Toskani

What it's for: Supports postpartum hair retention and minimises hormonal shedding after birth. Ideal for fragile, thinning hair caused by the dramatic drop in oestrogen post-pregnancy.

How to use: Spray directly onto the scalp once daily. Massage in gently and allow to air dry. Do not rinse. Use consistently to support hair strength and retention.

Ingredients:Sabal Serrulata, Aminexil, Biotin, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, and others.

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DESENSE SOS SERUM

Bioline Jatò

What it's for: Calms reactive, irritated skin that can flare up during pregnancy or postpartum. Perfect for hormonally sensitised skin, redness, or post-treatment support.

How to use: Apply morning and night before moisturiser to clean skin. Gently massage until absorbed.

Ingredients: Tetrapeptide-15, Argan Oil, GPI, calming biomimetic peptides.

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Navigating skin and hair changes during pregnancy and postpartum can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure which ingredients are safe to use. That’s why our Pregnancy & Postpartum Skin + Hair Guide is your go-to resource—packed with expert advice on how pregnancy hormones affect your skin, what’s normal, and which concerns need targeted support. From managing melasma, breakouts, and sensitivity to dealing with postpartum hair loss, we cover it all. You’ll also find a comprehensive list of pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients approved by dermatologists and the TGA, plus guidance on what to avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding. Whether you're just starting your pregnancy journey or you’re months into postpartum recovery, our clinic-based and at-home solutions are tailored to keep your skin healthy, supported, and safe.