Postpartum depression continues to be a hush-hush topic among new mothers, although there has been considerably more attention paid to this condition in recent years. While postpartum depression is commonly associated with the emotional issues a woman suffers, you may be surprised to know that there are other symptoms of postpartum as well - skincare problems are one of them.

While most people would never have thought of skincare issues being a part of postpartum depression, given the numerous physical changes that a woman’s body goes through before, during and after giving birth, it makes sense that certain skin problems can occur as an additional symptom of this serious condition. Needless to say, pregnancy and giving birth involves a lot of hormonal changes, which can have a direct impact on the appearance of the skin and complexion.

If you believe you are suffering from postpartum depression, you will want to keep an eye out on your skin and complexion to see how it is reacting, especially during the weeks and months following the birth of your baby. You should know your skin better than anyone and if you have been noticing changes or occurrences that aren’t typical, you may have to take extra measures to get your skin back under control. So what is it about postpartum depression that could possibly result in skincare issues? The main factor is due to the huge fluctuation in hormones - estrogen in particular. After giving birth, a woman’s estrogen levels tend to be lower than normal. When this happens, the skin typically becomes much drier, sensitive and less supple because of loss of hydration and elasticity. Overall, this can create the look of skin that is dull, dry, flakey and anything but attractive.

There are ways to combat this change in your skin but the most important trait to master is patience. Just as it takes some time for your body to physically get back to its normal state, so does your skin and complexion. As long as you remain diligent in your skincare efforts, over time your complexion and appearance of your skin overall will get better. Remember to avoid high levels of stress, as this emotion can add more problems to your skin on top of dealing with your postpartum depression symptoms.

When skin is dry, the most obvious solution is to moisturize. When searching for body lotions and facial moisturizers, remember to read the labels and look for skincare products that are non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores). While you do want a moisturizer that will prevent your skin from becoming too dry, you don’t want a product that is greasy - these types of formulas mostly sit on the top layer of the skin instead of penetrating deep down to repair the problem. Make sure to do a full body scrub using an exfoliating brush/loofah once to twice a week or as needed when your skin becomes too flakey. Follow it up by applying your moisturizing lotion from head to toe. Rub the lotion in vigorously with your hands and massage it into your skin. Not only will this help with the dryness, it will also relax your muscles and release any tension you may be feeling.

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