After the baby: skin, hair and body in the first year, and when treatments can start

The first year after a birth: what usually changes, and when

• The first eight weeks: the two long tummy muscles that separate in pregnancy usually come back together by about eight weeks after the birth.
• From about two months: hair shedding often starts, peaks at around four months, and the hair tends to regain its fullness within six to nine months.
• The first months: veins that appeared in pregnancy usually shrink back at least partly, so decisions about them wait three to six months.
• Over the year: melasma may lighten, sometimes fully, and stretch marks slowly fade from darker to paler, flatter lines.

Postpartum hair loss: how long it lasts, and is it normal?

Yes, it is common. During pregnancy more hairs stay in their growing phase, and after the birth many of them move into the resting phase at once, so they fall a few months later. Shedding often starts about two months after the birth and peaks at around four months; the hair tends to regain its fullness within six to nine months.

If it goes on longer, or your parting keeps widening, have it checked: low iron, a thyroid problem or pattern hair loss can be part of the picture. A trichology assessment with Dr. Olga Seredina can go ahead while you are breastfeeding, but several medicines used for hair loss should be avoided then, so tell the doctor first.

Melasma after pregnancy: does it go away?

Melasma that appears in pregnancy is so common it is called the mask of pregnancy: brown or grey-brown patches, usually on both cheeks, the forehead, the nose or the upper lip. For some women it fades after the birth, sometimes fully; for others it lasts for years and returns with sun. Daily sunscreen and shade carry the plan, and light, laser and radiofrequency treatments wait until you have finished breastfeeding, when the doctor looks again at what remains.

Stretch marks and loose skin after pregnancy

Stretch marks are very common in pregnancy, in between 55 and 90 percent of women. They start pink, red, purple or dark brown, depending on your skin colour, and fade over months to years to paler, flatter lines; they rarely disappear. Newer marks respond better to treatment than mature white ones, and the honest aim is softer, less noticeable marks.

A softer tummy after a birth is often partly the separated muscles, which usually come back together by about eight weeks; a gap still obvious then is worth showing a doctor, who can refer you to a physiotherapist. Skin that has lost some tone may respond to gentle, regular work such as icoone over a course, once you have finished breastfeeding and any caesarean scar has fully healed. Folds of loose skin after a large change are a question for a surgeon.

Heavy legs and veins after the birth

Pregnancy makes spider, reticular and varicose veins more likely, and in most people they shrink back at least partly in the first months after the birth, so decisions about treatment usually wait three to six months. Our phlebologist, Dr. Marat Takoev, checks how the veins are working before anything else is considered. When legs feel heavy or puffy and nothing points to the veins, Endosphères can be planned once you have finished breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and the weeks after a birth raise the risk of a blood clot. A leg that suddenly swells, hurts or turns red or warm, or breathlessness or chest pain, needs a doctor straight away.

When can treatments start after having a baby?

• While you are breastfeeding: most clinic treatments wait, including anti-wrinkle injections, filler, skin boosters, lasers and light, radiofrequency, our facials and LED, icoone and Endosphères.
• After a caesarean: body treatments wait until the scar has fully healed.
• At any time: a trichology assessment, sun protection, gentle skin care and a doctor's look at anything that worries you.
• Once you have finished breastfeeding: the plan starts from what is still there, since much will have settled by then.