03_BT_March 2022

Bump to Birth
Post Natal Care
By: Dr. Peter Ch'ng Wee Beng
Dermatology
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GHKL)
Common Postnatal
Skin Issues
1. Stretch Marks
One of the most common
skin conditions after childbirth
is stretch marks. “Some of
the skin changes during
pregnancy will continue
after giving birth – for
example, stretch marks.
This condition is due
to the stretching of the
abdominal skin within a
short period of time and
hormonal changes,” says
Dr Peter Ch’ng Wee Beng, a
Dermatologist at Gleneagles Hospital
Kuala Lumpur (GHKL).
2. Hyperpigmentation
Any black splotches you had during
pregnancy will typically vanish after a
few months. They are usually visible
on the face and around the nipples.
Melasma (also known as chloasma)
is a type of skin pigmentation
change that usually fades when
your hormone levels return to
normal, and your body stops
creating as much melanin.
According to Dr Ch’ng,
hyperpigmentation is due to
hormonal changes. For melasma,
however, it is caused by cumulative
ultraviolet damage since young,
genetics, and the ageing process.
3. Lumps and Bumps or Skin Tags
Skin tags usually go away after delivery,
but if there’s still extra skin hanging
around a few months later, you should
schedule an appointment with your
dermatologist to get them removed.
The procedure is simple and painless
(similar to removing a wart).
4. Saggy Skin and Persistent
Abdominal Fat
Saggy skin is a common skin complaint
amongst new moms. The skin extends
during pregnancy to accommodate the
increasing bump. Hormonal changes
will cause the belly to shrink from the
minute the child is born. However, your
womb (uterus) will not contract to its
pre-pregnancy size for another six to
eight weeks. The extra fluid in your
body accumulated during pregnancy
will gradually drain. As a result,
many women notice that the skin
surrounding their stomach is loose after
giving birth.
16 BabyTalk | March 2022