Objective:To analyze the characteristics of physiological dermatological changes during pregnancy.Methods: This is a descriptive study, carried out in a public maternity hospital in southern Brazil, from June to August 2021 through a randomized sample of puerperal women. Through a self-reported interview, maternal-fetal data, sun exposure, photoprotection and skin changes were analyzed. Results: A total of 439 postpartum women were evaluated, 415 (94.5%) of whom presented some dermatological alteration. 237 (54.0) felt uncomfortable, affecting the selfesteem of 182 (41.5) and social interaction of 82 (18.7). However, only 64 (14.5) received medical advice and only 62 (14.1) underwent treatment. Hyperpigmentation affected 345 patients (78.6), starting mainly in the 2 nd trimester. The most affected regions were linea alba (68.7), nipples (77.4) and axillae (57.7). Melasma affected 144 women (32.8), and the 2 nd trimester was also the most prevalent. Of these, 92 (63.9) had Centrofacial Melasma, 19 (13.2) Peripheral and 33 (22.9) Mixed. Stretch marks occurred in 253 postpartum women (57.6), starting in the 3 rd trimester. The main regions affected were the abdomen (77.9), hips (49.8) and breasts (28.0). Vascular changes occurred in 123 patients (28.0), starting in the 3 rd trimester. The most common presentations were varicosities (86.2) and vascular spiders (22.8). Erythema Palmar affected 77 women (17.5), with onset prevalent in the 2 nd trimester.
Conclusion:94.5% of the patients had some dermatological alteration, with Hyperpigmentation (78.6) and Stretch Marks (57.6) being the most prevalent.