That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Careful sun protection is key. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. Basit H, Godse KV, Al Aboud, AM. Stretch marks are easier to prevent than erase. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. The outer layer is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis, and the deepest layer is the subcutis. If you have dark skin, seek a provider who is experienced in laser treatment for people of color. Melasma is typically a chronic disorder. If your hyperpigmentation is accompanied by consistent itching, irritation or discomfort, its important to note that these are not symptoms of melasma. Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. Anderson Cancer Center. 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. I look for symmetry, since it would be unusual to have melasma only or much worse on one side of the face.. 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. If it doesnt, pursue treatment options with your healthcare provider. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. Youre also more likely to develop melasma during pregnancy if someone in your family has had it, if you have naturally dark skin, or if you spend a lot of time in the sun. Learn more about this common pregnancy skin change that you may experience when you're expecting. 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. Even after melasma is treated and improved, I recommend use of a daily topical cream and oral antioxidants to maintain results long-term, advises Dr. Nazarian. The good news is that this hyperpigmentation likely wont get worse after you deliver your child. The darker color usually fades after pregnancy. Melasma is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy because it frequently affects pregnant women. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. and the condition. Theyre also commonly mistaken for freckles or age spots, however, those tend to be smaller. Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment. How to treat your pregnancy melasma - Today's Parent Bolanca I, et al. 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. 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. 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 is more common during pregnancy, affecting 15% to 50% of pregnant people. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. UV light exposure only makes hyperpigmentation worse by further darkening skin. Melasma: Causes - American Academy of Dermatology She served as Chief Resident at one of the nations top dermatology programs The University of Texas at Houston and M.D. American Academy of Dermatology Association. If youre using concealer or foundation to cover your melasma, choose products developed for sensitive skin. If you feel that its negatively impacting your life, or you have any other concerns, try not to suffer in silence. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or other physical blockers (mineral sunscreens) versus those that rely on chemical blockers. Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. 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 mimics discoloration of other skin conditions, and should be diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist MD/DO to prevent misdiagnosis and incorrect treatments.. 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. 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. 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. In fact, melasma can affect any part of your skin that is exposed to sunlight. You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. Sometimes the patches can become red or inflamed. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. 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. . Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Between 1.5% and 33% of the population may get melasma and it happens more often during a woman's reproductive years, and rarely happens during puberty. (2020). Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. 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. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? 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. Laser is a great option, he shares. Melasma is more common in people with medium to darker skin and seems to run in families. Despite the fact that pregnancy melasma isnt a dangerous condition, it can do a number on your self-esteem and confidence. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. Here are ways of reducing melasma on the face during pregnancy: 1. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. 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. 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. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Her go-to ingredients include vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root extract, as well as hydroquinone and glycolic acid. You may also develop dark patches on your cheeks, along your jawline, or on your forearms and other parts of your body that are exposed to the sun. Don't expect instant results it may take many months to see improvement. Will I still have melasma after my pregnancy? How to understand chronic pain; Tools. Melasma is harmless. 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. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. It usually goes away after you give birth. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD is a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology. It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. Hormones (including hormonal medications). Melasma can potentially be prevented by always wearing sunscreen and a hat while in the sun. With that being said, most people with melasma dont require treatmentits a personal choice. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your 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. Melasma is common, normal and harmless, but it can be bothersome. 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. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. Pregnancy Melasma (Pregnancy Mask): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment What Helps With Melasma During Pregnancy? In what stage of pregnancy does melasma occur? Mix a solution of a half of fresh lemon juice and half of cucumber juice or water to lighten top . Who is at risk of melasma? What skin solutions are off-limits during pregnancy? And some treatment methods may not be safe or effective to use when pregnant. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. Look on the label for words like noncomedogenic, sensitive, fragrance-free, or dermatologist approved if you get overwhelmed in the beauty aisle. Careful sun protection is key. You can help make your sun protection efforts even more effective if you wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a hat, and sunglasses, and limit your time in the sun, especially between its peak hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 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. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. The most effective way to treat pregnancy melasma is to see your dermatologist as soon as you start to see its hallmark patchwork appear. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. They can look similar! Hello. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. Adding a skin condition like melasma to the mix can be frustrating, especially if it's making you self-conscious about your appearance. 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. Melasma is thought to be primarily related to; external sun exposure, external hormones like birth control pills, and internal hormonal changes during pregnancy. It doesnt itch or hurt, and it doesnt become malignant. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. Melasma can even occur in men, although its far more common in women. In pregnant women, it most often appears on the: Forehead Cheeks Upper lip Nose Chin Other skin changes often occur with melasma during pregnancy, including: Darkened nipples, armpits, and genitals Your. These areas may get darker the more youre exposed to the sun or the further along you are in your pregnancy. You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=169&itemtype=document), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/pigment-disorders/melasma#:~:text=Melasma%20is%20dark%20brown%20patches,an%20examination%20of%20the%20skin.