Melasma can appear at any time during pregnancy, but it develops most often during the second or third trimester when certain hormone levels are increasing. Wondering what skin care products are safe and which to avoid while pregnant? What causes these skin changes during pregnancy? Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melasma (chloasma or mask of pregnancy) may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy ( Figure 2). There are also some procedures including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other light therapies that may work. Ahead, were discussing everything you need to know about pregnancy melasma, including what it is, what causes it, and how you can both treat and help prevent it. In addition, melasma can make skin that is already darker even more so. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. All rights reserved. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? and the condition. There are a few tricks you can try to minimize melasma, including the following: Exposure to the sun will make your pregnancy mask more pronounced. ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Avoid exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. Milk, almond milk, and orange juice can help too. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Your skin color and type may make this condition more or less noticeable. However, there are skin cancers that may mimic melasma, so seeing your dermatologist is often recommended to confirm the correct diagnosis. Careful sun protection is key. Exactly How to Treat the Skin Discoloration. Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. Changing hormones, particularly the excess of estrogen and progesterone, is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. Changes in skin pigmentation due to melasma usually disappear on their own after delivery. Occasionally, you might get it on the chest or arms, but that's unusual. Treatments for melasma include topical creams, chemical peels, as well as gentle skin resurfacing procedures. 2021. 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. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. Some experts dont recommend treating melasma during pregnancy. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. Skin color needs to be factored in when discussing skin diseases, aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview, acog.org/womens-health/faqs/skin-conditions-during-pregnancy. 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. PLoS Biol. While pregnancy is a primary cause of melasma, eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of sleep can prevent hormonal imbalances or vitamin deficiencies that arent pregnancy-related. It's considered safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeidng. Your dermatologist or other healthcare provider will examine your skin to diagnose melasma. All rights reserved. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. 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. 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. If you do opt for treatment for your pregnancy melasma, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a topical skin-lightening cream, with pregnancy-safe ingredients, like hydroquinone. Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. These areas may get darker the more youre exposed to the sun or the further along you are in your pregnancy. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. Our. You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. Where are the discolorations located on your body? Advertising on our site helps support our mission. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. Your soap? Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 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. Melasma is thought to be primarily related to; external sun exposure, external hormones like birth control pills, and internal hormonal changes during pregnancy. There are also other tactics you can try. Changes in hormones especially estrogen and progesterone is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. This pregnancy-friendly spin on traditional chili is packed with the nutrients your body needs when you're expecting. PMID: 30998530. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). We'll tell you what to avoid and some good, Skin tags are common during pregnancy and can be painful. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. 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. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Skin Conditions During Pregnancy | ACOG Skin Conditions During Pregnancy Frequently Asked Questions Common Skin Changes Expand All What are some of the common skin changes that happen during pregnancy? Commonly affected areas include your face, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms. The three types are: Melasma is not cancerous, a sign of cancer, or a skin condition that turns into cancer. Other possible causes of melasma include: Melasma causes light brown, dark brown, and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots on your skin. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. 5 Tips to Prevent Constipation During Pregnancy, How to Cope With Anxiety During Pregnancy, A Complete Guide to Pregnancy-Safe Skincare, Breastfeeding Safe SkincareWhat to Use and Avoid When Nursing Your Baby, The 11 Best Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products Dermatologists Love. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This skin disorder can affect your social life if youre feeling self-conscious about it. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. How to understand chronic pain; Tools. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.. Your healthcare provider may test your thyroid. Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. Heat can trigger melasma by causing the blood vessels in the skin to dilate and send signals to create pigmentation. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. If it doesnt, pursue treatment options with your healthcare provider. Match the foundation to your skin tone, but use a concealer thats a shade lighter. Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back. Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. There are three types of melasma and they have to do with the depth of the pigment. Treatment once you have finished breast- feeding can take the normal course, which normally begins with topical bleaching . This is because radiation from ultraviolet rays acts as a catalyst for melanin production. Hormones (including hormonal medications). Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. Melasma sometimes resolves itself one hormonal balance is restored. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Dealing with melasma during pregnancy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. 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. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. Are the soaps Im using right now aggravating my melasma (come with a list if you need to)? Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. She works full-time as a senior content manager at a multinational digital agency. By Nancy LeBrun 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. Warm compresses (running warm water over your breasts in the shower or applying a warm washcloth) and massages will probably clear the duct in a few days. Melasma, which causes patchy areas of discoloration that sometimes resemble freckles, is most likely to appear on the cheeks, but it can also develop elsewhere. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. If your hyperpigmentation is accompanied by consistent itching, irritation or discomfort, its important to note that these are not symptoms of melasma. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Retinoid treatments and many chemical peels sometimes used to treat hyperpigmentation in facial treatments are a no-go when youre expecting. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. The second path to take is topical medications. 6.2 Eucerin Anti-Pigment Reducer Night Cream. Melasma is usually flat. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. There are three main methods of treatment for melasma: 1) Slowing down or stopping the creation of the pigment melanin. Take preventative steps like avoiding sunlight to keep your melasma from getting worse or, if it does fade away, to keep it from coming back. However, it can make people self-conscious about their appearance. However, you can take certain precautions to lower your risk of developing it while pregnant or otherwise. We avoid using tertiary references. Anderson Cancer Center. This common condition occurs in 50-70% of pregnant women. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant? Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? This discoloration is usually symmetrical and is most common on the cheeks and nose, but its also found on the forehead and upper lip. 2021. That said, there are skin cancers that look similar to melasma, so its important to see your dermatologist to get a definitive diagnosis. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer pregnant. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. There are several topical, procedural, and oral therapies to manage melasma during pregnancy. Malar pattern . Privacy Policy Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. It doesnt itch or hurt, and it doesnt become malignant. We'll tell you the best pregnancy-safe sunscreens so you and your, When you're expecting, pregnancy-safe skin care can help ensure the health of you and your baby. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 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. Bonus: You can. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Read our, Why Does Melasma Develop During Pregnancy. Start at 2,000 International Units (IU) per day. If it doesn't, there are treatments to help fade melasma, though they can take some time to be effective, and sometimes it comes back. When your skin heals from the treatment, it may cause even more discoloration. Sometimes melasma will return and needs further treatment. Melasma is harmless, physically, but can have an emotional impact. Report all side effects to your healthcare provider. American Academy of Family Physicians. Theyll use a Woods lamp (a black light) to see changes in the color of your skin. Accessed 7/23/20. A topical treatment isnt your only option. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. Use the treatment and management advice from your dermatologist or another healthcare provider. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully. Accessed 7/23/2020. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. And ask your doctor about any potential vitamin deficiencies. StatPearls: Melasma. When you are pregnant, your body shows several changes. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. Bolanca I, Bolanca Z, Kuna K, Vukovi A, Tuckar N, Herman R, Grubisi G. Chloasmathe mask of pregnancy. You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. Look for products that say fragrance-free, for sensitive skin, or non-comedogenic on the label. A dermatologist will be able to perform treatments that your usual healthcare provider may not be able to. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. 6.7 AOBBIY Hyperpigment Remover. When this increases the amount of melanin produced also increases creating patches of darkened skin. Pregnancy is not the only cause of melasma. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. Melanin in the dermis within melanophages. What is known is that there is a genetic component in the development of melasma. If youre susceptible to pregnancy melasma, unprotected sun exposure can worsen it. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. Your epidermis contains cells called melanocytes that store and produce a dark color (pigment) known as melanin. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614.