YOUR AMAZING BODY

MANY women get extra freckles during pregnancy. It happens because the increase in reproductive hormones triggers the production of skin pigment melanin, and slightly darker patches of skin which are usually unnoticeable may suddenly become visible.

Many women notice freckles they never knew existed. Up to three-quarters find darker patches on their body, or that their overall skin shade is darker. Scientists think there may be an evolutionary benefit to this as melanin protects the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet light.