It may take several months for your hormones to balance and skin pigmentation to fade. Mix a solution of a half of fresh lemon juice and half of cucumber juice or water to lighten top . Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A Woods lamp that emits black light may be used to determine the depth of the pigment. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant. Treatments include topical medications like: Your doctor may also recommend certain acids that lighten the skin, alone or in combination. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. Medications that may cause or worsen melasma. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of them 1 during their reproductive years, when they're 20 to 40 years old. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. If your skin is still blotchy a few months after giving birth and it's bothering you, talk to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist about treatment options for melasma. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Sun exposure triggers melanin production, and pregnancy makes the skin more sensitive and more prone to melanin production. Estimates vary, but up to 70% of pregnant people develop melasma. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Accessed 7/23/20. During pregnancy or while youre breastfeeding, you should also avoid at-home peels, bleaches or other chemical-based lightening treatments, since they can all potentially penetrate the skin. . Pregnancy and your body. : Richard Lorenzo, DO: OB-GYN Loosely translated, the word means black spot. If you have melasma youre probably experiencing light brown, dark brown and/or blue-gray patches on your skin. You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. Its often used to treat hyperpigmentation as well as rosacea and acne during pregnancy and is available in prescription form and over-the-counter gels, foams and creams. She served as Chief Resident at one of the nations top dermatology programs The University of Texas at Houston and M.D. (2020). The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Its an organ the largest organ and it makes up about one-seventh of your body weight. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. Breastfeeding Safe Skincare: What to Avoid & Use on Skin Privacy Policy 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. In pregnant women, it most often appears on the: Forehead Cheeks Upper lip Nose Chin Other skin changes often occur with melasma during pregnancy, including: Darkened nipples, armpits, and genitals An increase in estrogen levels can worsen melasma. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). It depends on the person and the medication used. Look on the label for words like noncomedogenic, sensitive, fragrance-free, or dermatologist approved if you get overwhelmed in the beauty aisle. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). Whatever the case, your melanocyte-stimulating hormones react to these triggers by making an excess of protective pigments (dark patches) on the skin called melanin. Remember that it's likely to go away after giving birth. Pregnancy melasma, and melasma in general, fall into three categories based on how deep into the skin the dark spots are: epidermal, dermal, and mixed. Very common lumps found among women during pregnancy are clogged milk ducts. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. Always be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. 6.4 EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Overall, between 50 and 70 percent of people will develop some form of melasma during pregnancy. Ask them questions and voice your concerns. It doesnt affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications. Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. UV light exposure only makes hyperpigmentation worse by further darkening skin. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. Hair changes with pregnancy. Fairer-skinned people are less likely to be affected by melasma than those with darker brown skin or those who tan well. They include medications, makeup, and cosmetics that irritate your skin or make it more sensitive to sunlight, the blue light emitted from your devices, and underlying thyroid disease. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. Melasma may also occur when you either start or stop hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, or when you take hormone replacement therapy, says Dr. Gilchrest. If you have melasma, your freckles and moles may also look darker, there's probably a dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra) and your areolas could be a deeper shade. The heart has to work harder during pregnancy to pump blood to both the mother and the growing fetus. For some women, contraceptives containing estrogen (such as the Pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) can also contribute to melasma. It's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Melasma During Pregnancy - Causes, Signs & Prevention Careful sun protection is key. Fortunately, melasma typically fades after about three months. She may suggest using a bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone (and possibly sunscreen), a topical medication that contains tretinoin (Retin-A), or a chemical peel such as azelaic acid. American Academy of Dermatology. Are the soaps Im using right now aggravating my melasma (come with a list if you need to)? Plus, you cant change your genetics. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. Melasma can return. 6.6 Naturium vitamin C Complex Face Serum. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. What Is Melasma (Pregnancy Mask)? Causes, Pictures For many people, pregnancy melasma can improve after youre no longer pregnantonce your hormonal levels return to their normal, pre-pregnant levels. Dr. Nazarian shares that she prefers a multipronged approach to treating pregnancy melasma. Then apply your foundation to the rest of your face, avoiding the patches. Melasma during pregnancy - Skincare by Azka Therefore, wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. There are some milder products that may fade the spots safely, but don't take or use anything without consulting with your provider. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. Her favorite pastimes include experimenting with new foods, libations, and restaurants, as well as traveling the world with her two college-age children, husband, extended family, and friends. When it appears on the upper lip, it's referred to as a, It's important for everyone to use sunscreen there's no exception for pregnancy. Your birth control? Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. ClinicalTrials.gov. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Melasma will not harm your baby. (Other hormonal alterations, such as birth control medication and hormonal replacement therapy can also trigger melasma in nonpregnant people.). There are three types of melasma, categorized by how deep the darker pigment goes into the skin: During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. 2014;89:771-782. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143063. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. Can breastfeeding increase melasma? - eCO2 Laser Questions & Answers Her go-to ingredients include vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root extract, as well as hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Melasma appears slowly, and the spots are usually larger than those from sun damage or age. But, melasma patches are almost always larger than what we call age spots, sun spots, or liver spots. How many hours of sunlight do you recommend I receive? All rights reserved. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. Accessed 7/23/20. Melasma is common during pregnancy, as it is believed to be caused by increased levels of oestrogen in the blood. The most common type, mixed melasma, is exactly what it sounds likeits both brown and bluish in appearance, has a mixed pattern under black light, and is somewhat responsive to treatment. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. 1st ed. Read our, Why Does Melasma Develop During Pregnancy. In fact, taking these precautions has been shown to lower your chance of getting melasma at any time in your life by 50%, and slashing your risk of pregnancy melasma by a whopping 90%. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment - Verywell Health 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. Melasma that arises during pregnancy may go away on its own, but it wont happen overnight. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects. It often presents as a darkening in skin color around the mid or upper forehead, lateral cheeks, and upper lip. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. Melasma is more common during pregnancy, affecting 15% to 50% of pregnant people. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Most importantly, try and remind yourself that you likely notice and dwell on your pregnancy melasma more than anyone else, and that youre far from alone in experiencing it.
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