The skin I didn't expect: The extreme facial changes this mum faced during pregnancy

Sinar Daily

2 days ago

Pregnancy is a journey many women long for, a time often celebrated for its beauty, joy, and anticipation. But behind the glow often comes with expectant mothers lies a reality that is not always as picture-perfect.
For Farah Faizal, a 28-year-old marketing manager, her second pregnancy has been both a blessing and an emotional challenge.
"I've been married for almost four years, and this is my second pregnancy. I had a miscarriage once before, so this journey has felt even more personal and emotional," Farah shared to Sinar Daily.
However, what she didn't anticipate were the unforeseen changes her body—and particularly her skin—would undergo.
"The first thing I noticed was that my usual skincare routine just stopped working. I started waking up with new pustule-type acne every day and my skin felt itchy and looked like it was sunburnt," she explained.
Surprisingly, these changes began even before Farah realised she was pregnant.
By the fourth month, her skin condition worsened.
'My smile lines became more visible and I started looking older. Then by the sixth month, frown lines started forming and just kept getting deeper week by week,' she said.
These changes took a significant toll on her emotionally, shaking the very foundation of her sense of self and confidence.
"I felt so down and kept wondering, 'Why me?' I worried that maybe these changes were permanent," Farah said.
The once-confident marketing manager found herself becoming self-conscious.
'I stopped taking pictures and didn't feel comfortable going out without wearing a mask to hide my face," she added.
The emotional strain of these physical changes left Farah feeling overwhelmed, but she found solace in her support system.
'I opened up to my husband about how I was feeling, and he reminded me that this is temporary. His constant support, along with the love from people around me, helped me get through those tough moments,' she shared.
Farah chose not to consult a dermatologist, as she had read that pregnancy limits treatment options. Instead, she turned to self-research.
"I had read so many articles on my own, trying to figure out what was happening to my skin. There wasn't one specific trigger I could pinpoint, but I suspect it was mostly hormonal," she said.
Farah tried adjusting her diet and avoiding products with strong ingredients, but the changes persisted. Accepting that these issues were hormonal helped her find peace.
'Knowing it's part of the process makes it a bit easier to accept,' she added.
Reflecting on her journey, Farah expressed a desire for greater awareness about the less-discussed aspects of pregnancy.
"I wish more people understood that pregnancy isn't just about the cute bump and baby kicks. There are so many changes - physical, emotional and mental - that we go through. Every woman's experience is different and all of them deserve to be acknowledged," she stressed.
For Farah, the challenges have also brought a new perspective on strength and resilience.
'Carrying another human being inside your body is no small feat. I've come to realise how strong and resilient women are," she said.
To mums-to-be, Farah offers a message of hope: 'You are not alone. You are seen. You are loved. Don't be too hard on yourself - you're doing amazing. This, too, shall pass.'