--- title: "Skin and hair changes linked to hormones" description: "Acne, darker patches in pregnancy, and hair shedding or thinning: what can change, what may help, and when to get care. Includes when to get help." url: "https://myruva.co/learn/skin-and-hair-changes-and-hormones" language: "en-GB" topic: "Wellbeing" published: "2026-10-18" updated: "2026-10-19" author: "Ruva team" reading_minutes: 4 --- # Skin and hair changes linked to hormones Acne, darker patches in pregnancy, and hair shedding or thinning: what can change, what may help, and when to get care. Includes when to get help. *Written and reviewed by the Ruva team · Updated 2026-10-19 · Wellbeing* ## Key points - Hormone changes around periods, pregnancy and menopause can play a part in acne. - Acne that is deep, painful, leaves scars or affects your mental health deserves medical help. - Hair loss has several possible causes. Ask a GP or doctor if it worries you. Spots can appear around your periods, during pregnancy or around menopause. Hormone changes can play a part in acne. But medicines, and products you use on your skin or hair, can too. You can ask a clinician about a skin change without knowing what caused it. ## Acne: keep care gentle Acne happens when hair follicles (the tiny holes hairs grow from) get blocked with oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria can grow there and cause inflammation. Acne can range from a few spots to deep, painful lumps. It may leave scars or changes in the colour and texture of your skin. The NHS recommends a gentle cleanser, and not scrubbing or squeezing spots, as this can irritate the skin or cause scars. Take off make-up before bed. Products labelled non-comedogenic are made not to block pores. A pharmacist can help you choose an acne treatment. Book a GP appointment in the UK, or see your doctor elsewhere, if the treatment you’ve tried isn’t helping, the spots are deep or painful, or acne is leaving scars. How it affects your mental health is also a reason to ask for care. Tell your doctor how it’s affecting you. ## Darker patches during pregnancy Patches of darker skin across the cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip are common in pregnancy. They may appear on both sides of the face. This is called melasma or chloasma. The Office on Women’s Health says it’s more common in women with darker skin. Other changes in pregnancy include darker nipples and a dark line from the belly button down towards the pubic hair, called the linea nigra. These skin changes often fade after the birth. Describe any change you want checked, rather than trying to match it to a photo. ## Shedding after birth and gradual thinning According to ACOG, many women notice hair loss from the scalp about 3 months after giving birth. The hair usually grows back, but ask to be checked if the loss worries you. Hair that thins slowly can have other causes. In female pattern hair loss, hair usually thins on the top and crown of the head. It often starts with a parting that gets wider. Pattern hair loss can be permanent and often runs in families. Hair loss that doesn’t last can follow illness or stress, or be linked to low iron. A GP may be able to find a cause by looking at your hair. The NHS advises seeing a doctor before you think about going to a private hair clinic. Hair loss can be upsetting. Tell your GP how it affects your wellbeing. The NHS says a GP may be able to help arrange counselling if hair loss is causing distress. You can talk about treatment and emotional support together. Focus on what feels hard for you, without comparing your hair loss with anyone else’s. ## Check treatments during pregnancy Before you take any medicine in pregnancy, check with your pharmacist, midwife or doctor that it’s suitable. The NHS advice applies to prescribed medicines and to products you buy in a pharmacy or shop. Tell them about any regular medicines when you’re planning a pregnancy, or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Don’t stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor. The NHS warns that stopping a medicine that keeps you well could harm you or your baby. Bring product names or packets so you can talk about the ingredients. ## Itching that needs maternity advice now Call your maternity unit now in the UK, or your obstetric clinician or maternity service in the US or elsewhere, if you’re pregnant and itching is severe, worse at night, or affects your palms or soles. In the UK, call NHS 111 if you can’t reach the unit. Don’t wait until tomorrow, even at night. These symptoms can be signs of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition that needs urgent treatment. Don’t treat them as a normal change in how your skin looks. For other hair or skin worries, tell your GP or doctor when they started and how they affect you. ## When to get help - **Same day:** Call your maternity unit now (UK), or your obstetric clinician or maternity service (US or elsewhere), if you’re pregnant and itching is severe, worse at night, or affects your palms or soles. In the UK, call NHS 111 if you can’t reach the maternity unit. Don’t wait until tomorrow, even at night. - **Book an appointment:** Book a GP appointment (UK) or see your doctor (US or elsewhere) if acne is painful, leaves scars, affects your mental health or isn’t getting better, or if hair loss worries you. ## Where you live Services and advice differ between countries. - **UK:** A pharmacist can advise on acne treatments. A GP can check acne that won’t go away or hair loss that worries you. - **US:** The Office on Women’s Health describes melasma as one of the skin changes in pregnancy. These often fade after the birth. - **Elsewhere:** Elsewhere, use your local doctor or skin (dermatology) service for skin and hair worries, and maternity care for urgent symptoms in pregnancy. ## Sources 1. [Acne](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/), NHS 2. [Hair loss](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/), NHS 3. [Body changes and discomforts](https://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/body-changes-and-discomforts), Office on Women's Health 4. [Skin Conditions During Pregnancy](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/skin-conditions-during-pregnancy), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 5. [Female pattern baldness](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001173.htm), MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia 6. [Itching in pregnancy](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/complications/itching-and-intrahepatic-cholestasis/), NHS 7. [Medicines in pregnancy](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/medicines/), NHS --- This guide is general information to help you keep and use your own records. It isn’t medical advice. If you’re worried about a symptom, or something changes suddenly, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.