The Quality of Women's Skin after Childbirth

Pregnancy affects all organs of pregnant women, including the skin. Although changes in the skin of pregnancy rarely affect a person's physical health, its psychological aspects are likely to affect the quality of the skin. Therefore, this study assessed the quality of the skin of postpartum women.

The present study is a cross-sectional study on 145 women who were referred to health centers in Mashhad. Sampling was done by convenience method. Data collection tools included the demographic questionnaire, Skin Quality Index, and Fitzpatrick Classification. The demographic questionnaire and skin quality index were completed through interviews in the 6th week after delivery and Fitzpatrick Classification through observation. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney test.

Mean and standard deviation of skin quality index score were 58.24±17.76 and its emotional dimension was 19.41±6.20, symptoms dimension was 15.0±4.54, and function dimension was 23.67±7.46. The mean and standard deviation of the skin quality index score was 62.20±18.08 in primiparous women and 58.74 ±11.20 in multiparous women.

The results of the present study showed that the quality of skin in postpartum women was poor. Also, the mean scores and standard deviation of skin quality and its dimensions in primiparous women were higher than multiparous women, which means poorer skin quality in primiparous women.