Your skin color and type may make this condition more or less noticeable. The side effects of melasma treatments aren't entirely understood, and treatments may not be safe for you to use while you're pregnant. 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. Melasma that is triggered by pregnancy can fade after you have given . Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone. The darker color usually fades after pregnancy. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Heres more about this condition, why it crops up in pregnancy, and how you can treat it safely. American Academy of Family Physicians. Other possible causes of melasma include: Melasma causes light brown, dark brown, and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots on your skin. The linea nigra will probably fade back to its pre-pregnancy color several months after you deliver your baby, but may not completely disappear. 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. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. The same goes for makeup you may use to conceal the dark areas. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. Careful sun protection is key. Changing hormones, particularly the excess of estrogen and progesterone, is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. 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. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. 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. A few alternative remedies, like turmeric and aloe vera, have shown at least some success at improving melasma. 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. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant. 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. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. But you dont have to just live with it. There are treatment options. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Undated. 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. For some women, contraceptives containing estrogen (such as the Pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) can also contribute to melasma. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Your dermatologist may recommend one or more of the following: Hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin (Retin-A) are just a few of the many options used to treat melasma. Treatments for melasma include topical creams, chemical peels, as well as gentle skin resurfacing procedures. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Pregnancy is not the only cause of melasma. 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. Otherwise, speak with your doctor about the options for treatment and the benefits and risks of each. 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. Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. The spots develop when the hormones trigger cells called melanocytes, which go into overdrive and produce more of a substance called melanin. There are some milder products that may fade the spots safely, but don't take or use anything without consulting with your provider. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. Goodarzi A, et al. Wide brimmed hats are your best friend. While pregnant, be careful to only use topical and oral treatments that are approved for pregnant women. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. 6.2 Eucerin Anti-Pigment Reducer Night Cream. PLoS Biol. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Match the foundation to your skin tone, but use a concealer thats a shade lighter. It is not cancerous and does not become cancerous, nor does it have any effect on your pregnancy. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 2) Stopping the transfer of that pigment to the surface of the skin where it appears as dark spots. 2008;32(Suppl 2):139-141. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. Retinoid treatments and many chemical peels sometimes used to treat hyperpigmentation in facial treatments are a no-go when youre expecting. 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. The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. Mix a solution of a half of fresh lemon juice and half of cucumber juice or water to lighten top . Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger 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. After all, as it progresses, it gets more difficult to treat. Milk, almond milk, and orange juice can help too. Hormones (including hormonal medications). Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. Dr. Belkin says his pregnancy melasma diagnoses center around the timing of its appearance and its placement. Choose a corrective foundation and concealer that are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and designed to cover hyperpigmentation. ; Telogen effluvium post-delivery is a compensatory decease in hair growth and shedding of hair. 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. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. Melasma during pregnancy is very common. (Other hormonal alterations, such as birth control medication and hormonal replacement therapy can also trigger melasma in nonpregnant people.). In response to light, heat, or ultraviolet radiation or by hormonal stimulation, the melanocytes produce more melanin, and thats why your skin darkens. 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%. 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. 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. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. Melasma will not harm your baby. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Accessed 7/23/20. Are you interested in prescriptions that may improve your melasma? Ask them questions and voice your concerns. This skin disorder can affect your social life if youre feeling self-conscious about it. Nancy LeBrun is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning writer and producer who has been writing about health and wellness for more than six years. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy, Utilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017, Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. If youre using concealer or foundation to cover your melasma, choose products developed for sensitive skin. Melasma appears most often during the second or third trimester, as hormonal changes increase. What causes these skin changes during pregnancy? 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. But you may be able to avoid the factors listed above which make melasma worse. If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. If your hyperpigmentation is accompanied by consistent itching, irritation or discomfort, its important to note that these are not symptoms of melasma. It's considered safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeidng. Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. Basit H, Godse KV, Al Aboud, AM. The worse it gets, the harder it will be for treatments to work. Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. 1st ed. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. If someone in your family has had melasma, youre more vulnerable to the condition. Wondering what skin care products are safe and which to avoid while pregnant? 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. Read our, Why Does Melasma Develop During Pregnancy. Overall, between 50 and 70 percent of people will develop some form of melasma during pregnancy. Kalayc M. Pregnancy mask: melasma. Melanin in the dermis within melanophages. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. Learn more about. The good news is that this hyperpigmentation likely wont get worse after you deliver your child. Do this by avoiding the sun, tanning beds, LED screens, irritating soaps and birth control that includes hormones. 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. Signs of melasma during pregnancy Melasma occurs most often on the face as brown or grayish-brown patches that sometimes look blotchy. Eat a variety of healthy, whole foods, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. However, to keep your skin healthy in general, try a skin-healthy diet of foods rich in Vitamin D: Those with melasma are more likely to have a thyroid disease. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. All changes in skin pigmentation due to melasma usually disappear on their own after delivery, but you can do a few things to safely minimize darkened spots on your skin during pregnancy: Melasma usually fades without treatment after you have your baby. By Nancy LeBrun 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. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. 6.4 EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. Shell also sometimes prescribe oral medication to slow down the rate of re-pigmentation and rebounding. Exactly How to Treat the Skin Discoloration. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. 2021. Where are the discolorations located on your body? Sometimes melasma will return and needs further treatment. What is known is that there is a genetic component in the development of melasma. Therefore, wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. 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. Vitamin C is used in skin care as a strong antioxidant, especially in regard to protecting the skin from sun damage. Sometimes, however, it persists. Dr. Nazarian shares that she prefers a multipronged approach to treating pregnancy melasma. 2017;3(1):11-20. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.01.004. Sunlight: When sunlight hits our skin, it triggers the body to produce more melanin. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. What skin solutions are off-limits during pregnancy? Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. 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. It depends on the person and the medication used. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. The mechanism that causes Melasma is not well understood, but there is a strong correlation between hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, ovarian cysts, etc. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. Handel AC, Miot LDB, Miot HA. You may see a line (linea nigra) extending from the pubic area over the belly, or darkening of the skin all over the body. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. It's unlikely that a healthcare provider will recommend treatment, as melasma often goes away on its own a few months after giving birth. Pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure, medication side effects, genetics, age, inflammation, and skin injuries can all lead to different types of skin discoloration. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. Start at 2,000 International Units (IU) per day. 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. It doesnt affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications. Melasma (chloasma or mask of pregnancy) may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy ( Figure 2). Melasma appears slowly over a period of weeks or months. Utilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. This can be a trigger for melasma. Coll Antropol. It is supremely sensitive to the sun, worsening with relatively minimal exposure, cautions Dr. Belkin. 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. Your healthcare provider may administer the test. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. What Helps With Melasma During Pregnancy? 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. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. 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. Too much screen time? Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back. For more brightening oomph, they may recommend exfoliating treatments, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels, which slough away dead skin cells to promote skin rejuvenation. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. As youve likely already inferred from its alternate moniker, becoming pregnant puts you at a higher risk of developing pregnancy melasma. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. Melasma can return. If youve noticed new, dark skin splotches on your face, youve probably got melasma which is often called the mask of pregnancy. But youre not alone this condition affects an estimated 50 to 75 percent of expectant mothers. Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. Treatment once you have finished breast- feeding can take the normal course, which normally begins with topical bleaching . Your. When you are outside, reapply sunscreen once every two hours. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. No. Some people have melasma for years or their entire lives. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: 6 Cheeks (both sides) Chin Forehead Bridge of nose Above the upper lip Jawline Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. American Academy of Family Physicians. If hyperpigmentation started in pregnancy or after birth control pills, or worsens in summer, that would suggest melasma, he says. Then apply your foundation to the rest of your face, avoiding the patches. It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. 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. Melasma can potentially be prevented by always wearing sunscreen and a hat while in the sun. Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Very common lumps found among women during pregnancy are clogged milk ducts. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 2020. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . Melasma is hard to treat. Pregnancy. Is it sunlight? Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or other physical blockers (mineral sunscreens) versus those that rely on chemical blockers. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. 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. Between 50% to 70% of all melasma cases are among those who are pregnant. 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. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. Freckles or scars, and dark skin around nipples and genitals may become even darker than usual during pregnancy. Don't expect instant results it may take many months to see improvement. Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. Hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. 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. Learn more about this common pregnancy skin change that you may experience when you're expecting. Hello. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. AAD. Hormonal changes: The extra estrogen and progesterone your body makes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. There are several topical, procedural, and oral therapies to manage melasma during pregnancy. Other agents that are being studied to improve melasma include: Dermatitis is a side effect of hydroquinone and tretinoin. Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women. In addition to her extensive health and wellness writing, Nancy has written about many general interest topics for publications as diverse as Newsweek, Teen Vogue, abcnews.com, and Craftsmanship Quarterly. This can occur when youre pregnant due to an increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Melasma appears most commonly on your cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip and the forehead. Slather up with gentle products instead. Bolanca I, et al. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company.