Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. Originally coined in Latin, it loosely translates into black spot. While melasma doesnt actually cause black spots to appear on the skin, it does create brown or blue-gray discolorations that are grouped together to form larger patches. If you are currently expecting, or thinking about becoming pregnant, this post will cover everything you need to know about pregnancy-induced melasma, including ways to prevent occurrence and treatment options. One reason is that it may resolve on its own. Melasma. Non-pregnancy related hormonal changes like oral contraceptives may also cause skin hyperpigmentation. Pregnancy woes: 4 common skin issues Melasma, or chloasma, as it's called during pregnancy, appears mostly on the face, on sun-exposed areas like your cheeks, nose, upper lip and forehead, says Raymond. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. Solar elastosis and elastic fiber fragmentation. Melasma Signs, Causes, Treatment, and Cure - MedicineNet Melasma during pregnancy is very common. 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. If the hormones in your contraception are the cause of your melasma then, yes, it may go away. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. Although most skin-lightening ingredients are off-limits during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about whether you can apply topical azelaic acid to your skin for melasma. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Bolanca I, Bolanca Z, Kuna K, Vukovi A, Tuckar N, Herman R, Grubisi G. Chloasmathe mask of pregnancy. (2008). How to Treat Melasma During Pregnancy | The 'Pregnancy Mask' We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. The darker color usually fades after pregnancy. But you dont have to just live with it. There are treatment options. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. Melasma: Causes - American Academy of Dermatology If youre using concealer or foundation to cover your melasma, choose products developed for sensitive skin. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. There are several topical, procedural, and oral therapies to manage melasma during pregnancy. Melasma in Pregnancy: Treatment and Causes - Healthline If your melasma doesn't go away after you have your baby, you can discuss melasma treatment with your provider. Wondering what skin care products are safe and which to avoid while pregnant? Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment - Verywell Health Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment within a few months. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. While pregnant, be careful to only use topical and oral treatments that are approved for pregnant women. Although its a physically harmless skin condition, we know that it can be bothersome, even to the point of making you feel self-conscious in social settings. The agents listed above rarely eradicate all of the melasma. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. Y. ou can also be sure to eat a healthy, skin-friendly diet that contains plenty of nutrients and vitamin D. Foods that fit the bill include eggs (only if theyre fully cooked), yogurt, meat (fully cooked), fish high in fatty acids (also fully cooked), and mushrooms. Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: Skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes https://www.uptodate.com/contents/the-skin-hair-nails-and-mucous-membranes-during-pregnancy [Accessed September 2020], UpToDate. Fairer-skinned people are less likely to be affected by melasma than those with darker brown skin or those who tan well. But, it has to be gentle enough and done by an experienced board-certified dermatologist. This is because lasers can also exacerbate melasma, he explains. Bolanca I, et al. Laser is a great option, he shares. Other people may have melasma for just a short time, such as during pregnancy. This doesnt mean you have to stay indoors when the sun is out, though. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. It's typically diagnosed after an individual develops multiple pregnancies at once. What is known is that there is a genetic component in the development of melasma. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. Even if its hot outside, loose-fitting clothing can be comfortable and protect your skin. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. Prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy Dr. Nazarian shares that she prefers a multipronged approach to treating pregnancy melasma. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully. By Cat Matta Your hair and skin may also go through a transformation for the better or worse. Signs of melasma during pregnancy Melasma occurs most often on the face as brown or grayish-brown patches that sometimes look blotchy. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. However, it is not likely to go away while youre pregnant or taking hormone contraceptives. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. Melasma. Birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all help trigger melasma. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. This is because radiation from ultraviolet rays acts as a catalyst for melanin production. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. 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. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. Shipping, Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment, Non-pregnancy related hormonal imbalances. Its only symptom is the gradual development of mottled dark spots on your skin, typically on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and upper lip, though it can also appear on the forearms. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. At this time no medication can completely prevent melasma. A dermatologist will be able to perform treatments that your usual healthcare provider may not be able to. An increase in estrogen levels can worsen melasma. The most important one is something you should be doing every day, year-round, anywaywearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and reapplying it every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Can Melasma Be Prevented During Pregnancy? Some people have melasma for years or their entire lives. 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. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. 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. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant? They usually fade in the first few months after . Causes and Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy The good news: Pregnancy mask is usually temporary and fades after delivery or, in some cases, after you finish breastfeeding. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. And make sure youre getting the right treatment by confirming the diagnosis with your healthcare provider. Hello. Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. Your soap? It sometimes affects your arms, neck and back. 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. Yes. Melasma usually fades after a few months. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. Melasma on face: How to treat chloasma postpartum | BabyCenter 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer pregnant. Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. Be sure that youre rounding out your diet by consuming supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Medications that may cause or worsen melasma. Pregnancy melasma is a pretty straightforward skin condition. Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care: What to Use and What to Avoid - Healthline 6 Treatment of Melasma during pregnancy. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. Remember that it's likely to go away after giving birth. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. These are red, tender-to-the-touch, hard lumps in your breasts. Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. When did see the discoloration in your skin? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Since the sun may trigger the development of more pigment, its a good idea to stay out of its rays, especially for long periods of time. In any case, continue to protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen every day, wearing protective clothing, and staying out of the sun during peak hours. When melasma occurs during pregnancy, it is also called chloasma, or "the mask of pregnancy."Pregnant women experience increased estrogen, progesterone, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) levels during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. Is it sunlight? Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Plus, you cant change your genetics. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. Pregnancy and your body. : Richard Lorenzo, DO: OB-GYN There are some milder products that may fade the spots safely, but don't take or use anything without consulting with your provider. Vitamin D helps keep your skin healthy in general. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). (2020). Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. It is supremely sensitive to the sun, worsening with relatively minimal exposure, cautions Dr. Belkin. Your healthcare provider might test your vitamin D levels to make sure that youre getting enough of it from high vitamin D foods such as meat, cereals, oily fish and eggs. They can look similar! A few alternative remedies, like turmeric and aloe vera, have shown at least some success at improving melasma. Study of Influence of Blue Light Emitted by Computer/Television Screens on Melasma. Some topical products we have found safe to use during pregnancy are Vitamin-C, Azelaic Acid, Lytera 2.0, and physical sunscreen. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. Your birth control? Commonly affected areas include your face, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. The spots develop when the hormones trigger cells called melanocytes, which go into overdrive and produce more of a substance called melanin. Basit H, Godse KV, Al Aboud, AM. Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. 2021. Changes in skin pigmentation due to melasma usually disappear on their own after delivery. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. In fact, melasma can affect any part of your skin that is exposed to sunlight. Adding a skin condition like melasma to the mix can be frustrating, especially if it's making you self-conscious about your appearance. What Are Some Ways To Help Cope With Pregnancy Melasma? It doesnt affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications. While not being harmful to the health of either mother or child, pregnancy melasma can be a source of embarrassment for some expecting mothers. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . Melasma is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy because it frequently affects pregnant women. Skin conditions commonly confused with melasma include: If you have melasma, the results of the biopsy will typically reveal the following: The severity of your melasma can be measured by using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. Will I still have melasma after my pregnancy? Barsh G. What Controls Variation in Skin Color? Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist seeing patients in New York, N.Y. She practices various aspects of dermatology, including cosmetic treatments, laser, injectables, skin cancer screening, general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and body contouring. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. The linea nigra will probably fade back to its pre-pregnancy color several months after you deliver your baby, but may not completely disappear. 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. No. Since melasma often goes away on its own within a few months of giving birth, your healthcare provider may recommend that you don't treat it. As a result, the blood volume in the body increases by up to 50%, and the heart rate may rise by 10 to 15 beats per minute. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. 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.
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