Striae Gravidarum, Acne, Facial Spots, and Hair Disorders: Risk Factors in a Study with 1284 Puerperal Patients

Objective. To determine the prevalence of skin changes during pregnancy and to relate their occurrence to specific factors in a population of south Brazil. Methods. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out with 1284 puerperal patients. A questionnaire about skin changes during pregnancy was developed and applied by the authors to all puerperal women admitted in a tertiary hospital in south Brazil. Results. The appearance of striae during pregnancy was reported by 633 women (49.5%) and had a statistically significant association with primiparity, presence of stretch marks before pregnancy, and gestational weight gain above 21 kg. Facial blemishes were reported by 33.9% (n=434) and were associated with a positive family history, multiparity, and the use of facial sunscreen (p