A dermatologist will be able to perform treatments that your usual healthcare provider may not be able to. Cut down on screen time in front of your LED screen television, tablet, mobile phone and computer. While pregnant, be careful to only use topical and oral treatments that are approved for pregnant women. 6.6 Naturium vitamin C Complex Face Serum. Spots of melasma can sometimes be mistaken for freckles but they are not the same skin condition. No. For many people, pregnancy melasma can improve after youre no longer pregnantonce your hormonal levels return to their normal, pre-pregnant levels. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Around 33% to 50% of people with the condition have a family member with iteven a majority of identical twins share melasma. Accessed 7/23/2020. Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. 2017;3(1):11-20. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.01.004. Hormonal changes: The extra estrogen and progesterone your body makes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? Heres more about this condition, why it crops up in pregnancy, and how you can treat it safely. Other ways to diagnose melasma involve a special blacklight lamp, called a Woods lamp, which would quite literally shine a light on the different types of melasma we discussed. 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. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. How can I prevent melasma from getting worse during pregnancy? Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. 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. 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. In pregnancy, it's often referred to as chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy.". document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). There's no proven link between. 6.2 Eucerin Anti-Pigment Reducer Night Cream. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. "Hydroquinone does not get absorbed systemically". Theyll use a Woods lamp (a black light) to see changes in the color of your skin. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. 2014;89:771-782. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143063. Some melasma treatments are safe to begin during pregnancy. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. 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. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. If you are exposed to the sun, be sure to wear sunscreen with iron oxides and a SPF of 30-50 applied every two hours, as well as a wide-brimmed hat. Barsh G. What Controls Variation in Skin Color? The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A topical treatment isnt your only option. Int J Womens Dermatol. Make a good concealer your best friend. 2019. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Melasma can even occur in men, although its far more common in women. Melasma is usually flat. Melasma is a super common skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation on certain areas of the face, explains Dan Belkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the New York Dermatology Group in NYC. 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. Changing hormones, particularly the excess of estrogen and progesterone, is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. When this increases the amount of melanin produced also increases creating patches of darkened skin. Call your provider if you have changes in skin pigmentation as well as pain, tenderness, redness, or bleeding, or if you notice any changes in the color, shape, or size of a mole. We'll tell you if it's safe. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Your soap? Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. Another option for sun cover is clothing with or without UV protection, such as SPF rash guards or sun protective clothing. If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. What's more, skin that's already more pigmented such as your nipples, freckles, scars, and the skin of your genitals may become even darker during pregnancy. That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Melanin is the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs. 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. An Bras Dermatol. Some people have melasma for years or their entire lives. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Thankfully, the only thing it interferes with is your skins appearance, and its not the kind of skin condition that causes cancer or can turn into cancer. The primary symptom of chloasma is darkening of the skin on the face. If it doesnt, pursue treatment options with your healthcare provider. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Wondering what skin care products are safe and which to avoid while pregnant? Your healthcare provider may administer the test. Eva Dasher writes, researches, and edits content on a wide variety of subjects, including parenting, medicine, travel, natural history, science, business, and the arts. Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. All rights reserved. Expect it to get worse and/or reoccur if you dont take steps such as avoiding the sun and makeups and soaps that irritate your skin. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. (This can occur whether or not you choose to breastfeed, because estrogen and progesterone are not the hormones involved in lactationthose would be prolactin and oxytocin.). Is there a history of melasma in your family? However, it is not likely to go away while youre pregnant or taking hormone contraceptives. Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. Chemical peels address discoloration by exfoliating the top layers of skin, allowing newer and more evenly toned skin cells to rise to the surface. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. 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. Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. What makes breast cancer come back? Her go-to ingredients include vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root extract, as well as hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Even if its hot outside, loose-fitting clothing can be comfortable and protect your skin. Stay out of the sun when the rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And make a fashion statement by sporting glam sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you leave the house. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. DermNet NZ; Science SourceA pregnancy mask may appear as dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. If your melasma doesn't go away after you have your baby, you can discuss melasma treatment with your provider. 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. But, keep in mind that it can fade on its own after youre no longer pregnant, and there are other ways to help it along the way. How Many Types of Pregnancy Melasma Are There? You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. General Health. Some of the skin conditions you may notice, such as stretch marks and melasma (dark spots and patches), are caused by pregnancy, and will fade over the next few months. You may be able to prevent or minimize melasma by wearing a high-SPF sunscreen and a hat with a brim when you are in the sun. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of themduring their reproductive years, when theyre 20 to 40 years old. Retinoid treatments and many chemical peels sometimes used to treat hyperpigmentation in facial treatments are a no-go when youre expecting. It often presents as a darkening in skin color around the mid or upper forehead, lateral cheeks, and upper lip, describes Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. Our. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 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. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. Dermatol Surg. Are you interested in procedures that may improve your melasma? The darker color usually fades after pregnancy. 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. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. 5 How to Prevent Melasma. When you are outside, reapply sunscreen once every two hours. These steps may prevent your melasma from getting worse. PMID: 30998530. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. Hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. Estrogen coupled with blood vessel growth, sun exposure, genetics, and hormones deposit pigment in the skin. Read our. Pregnancy. Melasma appears most often during the second or third trimester, as hormonal changes increase. To tell the difference between skin conditions, your healthcare provider may perform a biopsy, which is where a small piece of your skin is removed and examined. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. If you're seeking a preventive, we've gathered a few of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy. ; Telogen effluvium post-delivery is a compensatory decease in hair growth and shedding of hair. In the meantime, take good care of your skin and talk to your healthcare provider about possible pregnancy-safe treatments if the spots are really bothering you. American Academy of Family Physicians. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. The second path to take is topical medications. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment. Melasma that appears during pregnancy usually does go away within a few months after you give birth. Many compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about another type of skin disorder. The mask of pregnancy technically called melasma appears when a steep rise in estrogen and progesterone levels stimulates excess melanin production, also known as hyperpigmentation. Its an organ the largest organ and it makes up about one-seventh of your body weight. When your skin heals from the treatment, it may cause even more discoloration. Who is at risk of melasma? Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020.