Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing experience.

Women not only get to carry and bring new life into the world, but also get to experience the numerous benefits that come along with being pregnant, including glowing skin, stronger nails, and thick, shiny hair. All these are thanks to the hormonal changes that take place in the body during pregnancy.

Glowing Skin

One of the most coveted beauty benefits of pregnancy is the famous pregnancy glow. This “radiant” look is due to an increase in blood supply and hormones, particularly estrogen, in the body.

Increased blood flow helps to nourish the skin and give it a plump, healthy appearance, while estrogen boosts collagen production, which helps to keep the skin looking smooth and wrinkle-free. It also helps to moderate the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, which prevents the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation.

Thick, Shiny Hair

Many women experience thicker, shinier hair during pregnancy. This is due to the increase in estrogen levels in the body, which prolongs the hair’s growth cycle, resulting in less shedding and more hair growth.

The hormone progesterone also plays a role by causing hair to stay in a resting phase for a longer period of time, which leads to thicker hair. Additionally, the increased blood supply to the scalp during pregnancy nourishes the hair follicles, resulting in stronger, healthier hair.

Stronger Nails

Another hormonal benefit of pregnancy is stronger nails. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone cause an increase in blood flow to the nails and surrounding tissues, which helps to nourish and strengthen the nails.

Many women also report that their nails grow faster during pregnancy, which is likely due to the same hormonal changes.

Reduced Acne

Acne is a common skin concern for many women, and it can be particularly frustrating during pregnancy when many acne-fighting products are off-limits. However, many women actually experience an improvement in their acne during pregnancy.

This is once again thanks to the increased levels of estrogen, which helps to regulate the production of sebum, a type of oil produced by the skin that can lead to acne when overproduced. Additionally, some studies suggest that pregnancy may boost the immune system, which can further help to prevent acne.

Thicker Eyelashes and Brows

Estrogen is also responsible for the growth of thicker lashes and brows during pregnancy. This is because estrogen lengthens the anagen phase, or the growth phase, of the hair follicles, which leads to longer and thicker lashes and brows.

Reduced Wrinkles

As previously mentioned, estrogen is a collagen booster, which means it helps to keep the skin looking supple and wrinkle-free. Collagen is a protein that keeps the skin firm and elastic, but its production declines as we age.

The increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy helps to counteract this decline and keep the skin looking youthful.

Decreased Hair Growth

While it may seem counterintuitive to some of the beauty benefits mentioned earlier, many women actually experience less hair growth, particularly in areas such as the legs and underarms, during pregnancy.

This is because pregnancy hormones cause hair to enter a resting phase, which leads to less growth overall. While this may not be desirable for some women, it can be a welcome relief for those who struggle with excess hair growth.

Conclusion

Pregnancy hormones come with many benefits, and some of the most notable ones include glowing skin, stronger hair and nails, reduced acne and wrinkles, and even improved eyelashes and brows.

While these benefits may not last forever, they can certainly make pregnancy a beautiful and enjoyable experience, both inside and out.