Pregnancy transforms the skin: pregnancy mask, stretch marks, acne, dryness, itching, then hair loss after delivery. Most of these changes are benign and can be managed with suitable products. However, several usual dermatological treatments must be avoided during pregnancy, and aesthetic procedures (Botox, fillers, lasers, skinboosters) are postponed as a precaution. In Marrakech, Dr Sara Zahid, a dermatologist in Guéliz, sees you before, during or after pregnancy, in English, French or Arabic, to choose what is safe today and prepare what comes next, in liaison with your gynaecologist or midwife.
Hormones and weight gain modify the skin: facial pigmentation (pregnancy mask), a brown line on the belly, stretch marks, oilier or drier skin, acne flare-ups, small vessels, itching. Hair is often thicker during pregnancy, then falls more in the months after delivery. These changes are common: a consultation helps tell what is trivial from what deserves treatment.
The pregnancy mask appears on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip, favoured by hormones and sun. During pregnancy, the most useful care is sun protection: high-SPF mineral sunscreen, hat, shade, especially in Marrakech. Active depigmenting treatments and lasers are generally postponed until after delivery and breastfeeding, and the spots often fade partly on their own.
Stretch marks depend mainly on personal predisposition and how fast weight is gained. Regular hydration, gradual weight gain and a balanced diet support the skin and reduce discomfort. Corrective treatments (Dermapen, laser) are done after delivery; recent stretch marks, still red, generally respond better.
Acne can appear, worsen or improve. Isotretinoin is forbidden during pregnancy; vitamin A derivatives (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol) and oral tetracyclines (doxycycline and relatives) are avoided. Compatible local treatments, such as azelaic acid, are chosen after examination, with gentle skin hygiene. If you are on acne treatment and planning a pregnancy, talk about it before becoming pregnant.
Dry skin or eczema explains most itching. But intense itching, especially on the palms and soles, often at night, in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, warrants a prompt opinion: it can reveal cholestasis of pregnancy, which requires a blood test and obstetric follow-up. Other rashes specific to pregnancy (for example on belly stretch marks) are benign and relieved with suitable treatment.
Eczema or psoriasis can change during pregnancy. Care is adapted: emollients, local treatments chosen according to the stage of pregnancy and the area, close follow-up. A mole that changes colour, shape or size must be examined, pregnant or not: the dermatologist decides with you the timing and method if a procedure is needed.
Diffuse hair loss often appears two to four months after delivery. It is most often temporary, with gradual regrowth. An assessment (iron, thyroid) is offered if it is heavy or prolonged, and scalp care is adapted to breastfeeding.
As a precaution, because safety data are insufficient and there is no urgency, the clinic does not perform during pregnancy: Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers, Sculptra, skinboosters and mesotherapy, polynucleotides, exosomes, PRP/PRF, lipofilling, Dermapen and lasers (hair removal, spots, fractional). These treatments are scheduled after delivery; breastfeeding is taken into account according to the treatment and medical advice.
A simple routine remains possible: gentle cleansing, hydration, mineral sun protection. Depending on the stage, a gentle skin treatment, without unadvised actives, can be discussed with Dr Sara Zahid. She tells you which products to continue, replace or stop, without interrupting a prescribed treatment without medical advice.
If you are planning a pregnancy, talk about it at the consultation: a treatment like isotretinoin requires a washout period and contraception, series of lasers or injections can be planned beforehand, and the routine can be simplified in advance. Planning a pregnancy does not stop you from looking after your skin: it simply changes the calendar.
After delivery, the clinic offers you a programme: spots, stretch marks, hair loss, laxity, skin quality. When to resume depends on the treatment, breastfeeding and your health; it is set together, with gradual treatments.
Once healing is complete and with your gynaecologist's agreement, laser can help improve the look and comfort of certain scars. On a caesarean scar, a fractional laser helps soften relief, thickness and colour and make the skin more supple, over several sessions. On an episiotomy scar, it can improve suppleness and sensitivity of the area and relieve tension or discomfort, notably during intercourse. Vaginal laser, offered after delivery and generally once breastfeeding is over, can help with dryness, laxity or small urinary leaks on effort, after an examination and gynaecological advice. These treatments are not done during pregnancy or on a scar that is still fragile, and complement pelvic floor rehabilitation.
Consult without delay in case of intense itching (palms, soles), blisters, a rash with fever, a changing mole, skin infection or sudden swelling. In case of bleeding, abdominal pain or any obstetric sign, contact your gynaecologist or emergency services first.
Dr Sara Zahid sees patients at the Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in Guéliz, by appointment, in French, English and Arabic. She works with your obstetrician-gynaecologist or midwife so that each treatment is compatible with your pregnancy. Patients from other cities in Morocco can consult and prepare their visit by WhatsApp.
Yes. A consultation is possible and useful at any time: it allows skin problems to be treated with compatible care and checks that your usual products are suitable.
No: as a precaution, Botox is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for lack of sufficient safety data. There is no urgency: it is scheduled after delivery.
No, these injections are postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a precaution. If a filler already injected causes sharp pain or white or purplish skin, contact the clinic or emergency services without delay.
Aesthetic lasers (hair removal, spots, fractional) are postponed: they are optional and hormones make the skin more prone to marks. Laser hair removal resumes after delivery, according to the examination of the skin.
No, these injectable treatments are postponed during pregnancy. They are scheduled afterwards according to medical advice, for skin quality, hair or scars.
It is decided at the consultation: a gentle hydrating and cleansing treatment, without unadvised actives, can sometimes be discussed depending on the stage. It is not performed without the dermatologist's prior advice.
During pregnancy: strict sun protection (mineral sunscreen, hat, shade) and hydration. Depigmenting treatments and lasers are postponed until after delivery and breastfeeding; a programme is then defined after diagnosis.
Gradual weight gain, regular hydration and gentle massage help the skin adapt, even though personal predisposition plays a big role. After delivery, corrective treatments (Dermapen, laser) can be offered, especially on recent stretch marks.
Vitamin A derivatives (isotretinoin, tretinoin, adapalene, retinol), oral tetracyclines and, as a precaution, hydroquinone are not advised. Ask your dermatologist or gynaecologist before any new product, and do not stop a prescribed treatment without medical advice.
A high-SPF (SPF 50) mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) is generally preferred, with hat and shade in the hot hours. The choice of product is confirmed at the consultation.
Yes, with suitable care: isotretinoin is forbidden and several usual treatments are avoided, but compatible local treatments (such as azelaic acid) and gentle skin hygiene are possible, after examination.
It is most often due to dry skin or eczema. Intense itching, especially of the palms and soles, at night, in the second or third trimester, must be reported quickly: a blood test looks for cholestasis of pregnancy, which requires obstetric follow-up.
Yes, it is very common, two to four months after delivery. It is most often temporary. A consultation is useful if it is heavy or prolonged, to look for a deficiency (iron, thyroid).
The timing depends on the treatment, breastfeeding and your health. It is defined at the consultation, with a gradual programme: spots, stretch marks, hair, skin quality.
At the Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in Guéliz, with Dr Sara Zahid, by appointment, in French, English or Arabic. She coordinates her advice with your gynaecologist or midwife.
Yes. Patients from other cities in Morocco and abroad are seen by appointment; first contact can be by WhatsApp. Remember to bring your pregnancy file (ultrasounds, tests, current treatments).
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