From the fifth month of pregnancy, stretch marks may start appearing on your stomach, thighs, buttocks and breasts. These are caused by weight gain and the increased secretion of cortisol, a hormone that destroys collagen fibres. Every day, from the first month of pregnancy until the baby is four months old, massage your skin with an anti-stretch-mark cream to promote localised microcirculation and to help the skin to stretch and gently tighten again. Around the fourth month of pregnancy, liver spots can start to crop up on the cheeks and the forehead. These are caused by hormonal changes, but are aggravated by exposure to the sun, so as soon as you put your nose outside the door, smother it with an SPF30 sun cream. If you're lucky, the spots may gradually disappear in time, but they can remain after the birth of your baby so a sunscreen is essential. Finally, to lighten your heavy and swollen legs, use a cool gel or a soothing de-puffing spray, which will boost the activity of the blood vessels. And avoid using hot wax hair removal products and return to your faithful friend, the razor.
