The linea nigra will probably fade back to its pre-pregnancy color several months after you deliver your baby, but may not completely disappear. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 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. The darkened spots probably will fade within a year after delivery, and your skin should return to its normal shade, although sometimes the changes never completely disappear. The following are common melasma triggers: In addition to the above, genetics play a crucial role. Commonly occurring during pregnancy, melasma is sometimes referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy because dark patches on the face can resemble a mask. 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. It protects your bones, muscles, organs and everything else from the cold, from germs, sunshine, moisture, toxic substances, injury and more. During your pregnancy, avoid spending too much time in the sun. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. Your dermatologist or other healthcare provider will examine your skin to diagnose melasma. Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. 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. Pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the only cause of melasma. Eva Dasher writes, researches, and edits content on a wide variety of subjects, including parenting, medicine, travel, natural history, science, business, and the arts. Again, there are a variety of factors at play when it comes to darkening pigment. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment Changes in hormones especially estrogen and progesterone is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. This common condition occurs in 50-70% of pregnant women. Sun exposure triggers melanin production, and pregnancy makes the skin more sensitive and more prone to melanin production. If youve noticed dark patches of skin on your face, you may have melasma. Fortunately, melasma typically fades after about three months. (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.). Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. All rights reserved. I look for symmetry, since it would be unusual to have melasma only or much worse on one side of the face.. Overall, between 50 and 70 percent of people will develop some form of melasma during pregnancy. Will I still have melasma after my pregnancy? While pregnant, be careful to only use topical and oral treatments that are approved for pregnant women. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Make-up labeled as non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic is less likely to irritate skin and worsen melasma. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. Hair changes with pregnancy. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Too much screen time? 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. 2) Stopping the transfer of that pigment to the surface of the skin where it appears as dark spots. If hyperpigmentation started in pregnancy or after birth control pills, or worsens in summer, that would suggest melasma, he says. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. 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. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Your soap? There are two main causes of melasma: radiation, whether ultraviolet, visible light, or infrared (heat) light; and hormones. Accessed 7/23/20. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. Melasma is more common during pregnancy, affecting 15% to 50% of pregnant people. As mentioned, pregnancy melasma is a skin condition thats pervasive among pregnant people. 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. This can occur when youre pregnant due to an increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. Melasma is a typically chronic disorder. How Many Types of Pregnancy Melasma Are There? A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. 2021. 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. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. Anderson Cancer Center. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. In turn, the addition of vitamin C serum to skincare routines helps fight free radical damage, brightens the skin, and improves skin tone. Remember that it's likely to go away after giving birth. What skin solutions are off-limits during pregnancy? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. It also helps regulate your body temperature, prevent hydration and feel sensations like the warmth of the stove, the fur on your dogs belly and the pressure of someone elses hand holding yours. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. 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. Cut down on screen time in front of your LED screen television, tablet, mobile phone and computer. The good news: Pregnancy mask is usually temporary and fades after delivery or, in some cases, after you finish breastfeeding. 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. ClinicalTrials.gov. 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. However, a skin-friendly diet including adequate amounts of vitamin D is likely to help. Breastfeeding Safe Skincare: What to Avoid & Use on Skin You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. This skin disorder can affect your social life if youre feeling self-conscious about it. If you have the dermal pigment, it may take longer to fade away than if you have the epidermal pigment. Causes of melasma in pregnancy Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. If you're breastfeeding or plan to get pregnant again soon, let your provider know and check with her before using any over-the-counter treatments. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or other physical blockers (mineral sunscreens) versus those that rely on chemical blockers. Melasma that appears during pregnancy usually does go away within a few months after you give birth. These steps may prevent your melasma from getting worse. See your dermatologist in that instance. Melasma will not harm your baby. Not all laser therapies are ideal for treating discoloration. Laser is a great option, he shares. It often presents as a darkening in skin color around the mid or upper forehead, lateral cheeks, and upper lip. 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. The same increased production of melanin that causes the facial splotches of melasma also causes the linea nigra, or dark line that you may notice running down your belly. If you didnt see it in pictures or a mirror, you wouldnt even know you had itit doesnt itch, hurt, or cause any other sensation. It usually goes away after you give birth. Melasma can potentially be prevented by always wearing sunscreen and a hat while in the sun. 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. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. Your birth control? Dermatol Surg. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 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. Chloasma: The mask of pregnancy. It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Physical blocking sunscreens tend to offer broader protection and may be less irritating to the skin. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). If youre susceptible to pregnancy melasma, unprotected sun exposure can worsen it. Eat a variety of healthy, whole foods, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the stomach, hips, breasts, and thighs. A safer choice would be azeleic acid which is completely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It's considered safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeidng. 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. 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. 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%. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. These areas may get darker the more youre exposed to the sun or the further along you are in your pregnancy. 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. 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. Beyond that, the dark patches on the face can be exacerbated by sun exposure, the use of certain skin care products or treatments, and even genetics. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Despite the fact that pregnancy melasma isnt a dangerous condition, it can do a number on your self-esteem and confidence. 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. For some women, contraceptives containing estrogen (such as the Pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) can also contribute to melasma. If it bothers you, Dr. Belkin recommends using a tinted sunscreen to help, well, mask your pregnancy mask.. Another option for sun cover is clothing with or without UV protection, such as SPF rash guards or sun protective clothing. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. How many hours of sunlight do you recommend I receive? Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment - Verywell Health Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter. In addition, melasma can make skin that is already darker even more so. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. Medications that may cause or worsen melasma. Always be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. It is very likely that if you were going to get Melasma at the time of . Stretch marks are easier to prevent than erase. 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. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. Discover what they are here. Were explaining why this occurs, below. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. Make sure youre staying hydrated, eating a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep each night. The agents listed above rarely eradicate all of the melasma. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 6.2 Eucerin Anti-Pigment Reducer Night Cream. As youve likely already inferred from its alternate moniker, becoming pregnant puts you at a higher risk of developing pregnancy melasma. AAD. Dr. Geddes-Bruce is fellowship-trained in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Try the following home remedies to reduce the appearance of melasma after pregnancy; Mix a solution of half apple cider vinegar and half water to use as toner. Here are ways of reducing melasma on the face during pregnancy: 1. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment Hydroquinone is a prescription product to lighten skin or reduce skin pigmentation that occurs from melasma and chloasma, which can be brought on by pregnancy. Sometimes, however, it persists. Safe melasma treatment DURING pregnancy? - RealSelf.com 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. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Wear abroad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on your face all day, every day, even if youre not going outside, since harmful rays can come right through your windows. Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. Solar elastosis and elastic fiber fragmentation. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. Are you interested in prescriptions that may improve your melasma? Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. When did see the discoloration in your skin? Therapeutic options. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about another type of skin disorder. Heat can trigger melasma by causing the blood vessels in the skin to dilate and send signals to create pigmentation. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. 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. Its an organ the largest organ and it makes up about one-seventh of your body weight. Unmasking the Causes and Treatments of Melasma, Treatment of Melasma and the Use of Intense Pulsed Light: A Review, Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications, A Review of Laser and Light Therapy in Melasma, New Changes in Pregnancy and Lactation Labelling: Review of Dermatologic Drugs, Melasma: An Up-to-Date Comprehensive Review, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. In the third trimester, the proportion of hair follicles retained in the anagen (growing) phase increases. They can look similar! It's unlikely that a healthcare provider will recommend treatment, as melasma often goes away on its own a few months after giving birth. There are also some procedures including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other light therapies that may work. Your belly gets larger and your blood volume increases as your baby grows. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. Changing hormones, particularly the excess of estrogen and progesterone, is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy. Melasma can even occur in men, although its far more common in women. Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care: What to Use and What to Avoid - Healthline 2011;57(6):665-667. What makes breast cancer come back? Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. Melasma During Pregnancy: Is Hydroquinone Safe? Malar pattern . Dealing with melasma during pregnancy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Melasma McMinnville | MG Plastic Surgery It may take several months for your hormones to balance and skin pigmentation to fade. The best course of treatment may actually be prevention, with the help of a few lifestyle changes. Bolanca I, et al. It doesnt itch or hurt, and it doesnt become malignant. Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). There are three main methods of treatment for melasma: 1) Slowing down or stopping the creation of the pigment melanin. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. The spots develop when the hormones trigger cells called melanocytes, which go into overdrive and produce more of a substance called melanin. Accessed 7/23/2020. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. The second path to take is topical medications. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. 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. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. What Causes a Melasma Mustache and How to Treat It, Your Guide to a Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Routine, Why You May Get Skin Tags During Pregnancy, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, What Are the Symptoms of Hyperovulation?, Pregnancy Friendly Recipe: Creamy White Chicken Chili with Greek Yogurt, What You Should Know About Consuming Turmeric During Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Friendly Recipe: Herby Gruyre Frittata with Asparagus and Sweet Potatoes, The Best Stretch Mark Creams and Belly Oils for Pregnancy in 2023. Melasma is especially common in darker-skinned women or those of Asian and African descent, who have more pigment in their skin than fair-skinned 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. 2. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs. StatPearls: Melasma. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. 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. How Is Melasma Treated During Pregnancy? - Cary OBGYN You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. 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. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of themduring their reproductive years, when theyre 20 to 40 years old. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). 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. Many compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones. 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. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. The outer layer is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis, and the deepest layer is the subcutis. Changes in skin pigmentation due to melasma usually disappear on their own after delivery. Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Melasma: Causes, symptoms, pictures & treatment - Medical News Today Melanin is what gives skin its color. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone. Barsh G. What Controls Variation in Skin Color? You may see a line (linea nigra) extending from the pubic area over the belly, or darkening of the skin all over the body. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. So easy and delicious. Dendritic (branched) pigmented melanocytes.
