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%. Melasma during pregnancy is very common. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for more information. Melanin is what gives skin its color. 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. You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. What causes these skin changes during pregnancy? How Is Melasma Treated During Pregnancy? - Cary OBGYN And make sure youre getting the right treatment by confirming the diagnosis with your healthcare provider. We'll tell you if it's safe. Privacy Policy Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. 2 However, there's not enough info to recommend aloe or turmeric as melasma treatments, and conventional treatments work faster and grant better end results. Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? How to Prevent and Treat Melasma During Pregnancy Study of Influence of Blue Light Emitted by Computer/Television Screens on Melasma. Related: Your guide to pregnancy-safe skin care. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. 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. In pregnancy, it's often referred to as chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy.". 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. But you dont have to just live with it. There are treatment options. Do this by avoiding the sun, tanning beds, LED screens, irritating soaps and birth control that includes hormones. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. However, a skin-friendly diet including adequate amounts of vitamin D is likely to help. The second path to take is topical medications. 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. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. 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. Exactly How to Treat the Skin Discoloration. Fairer-skinned people are less likely to be affected by melasma than those with darker brown skin or those who tan well. 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. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. See your dermatologist in that instance. Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer pregnant. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Some experts dont recommend treating melasma during pregnancy. However, you can take certain precautions to lower your risk of developing it while pregnant or otherwise. 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. Here are some of the most important things to know about melasma and how you can manage it during pregnancy: . Theyre also commonly mistaken for freckles or age spots, however, those tend to be smaller. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. If youre exercising, try avoiding peak sun hours in your area, generally the middle of the day. Fortunately, melasma typically fades after about three months. Chloasma may also be worsened by hormonal imbalances that may have been present even before pregnancy. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment Can breastfeeding increase melasma? - eCO2 Laser Questions & Answers You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Last medically reviewed on April 30, 2021. What is known is that there is a genetic component in the development of melasma. Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). Accessed 7/23/20. 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. Melasma: causes. 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. Adding a skin condition like melasma to the mix can be frustrating, especially if it's making you self-conscious about your appearance. 1. Melasma is also sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy because the splotches typically show up around your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead in the shape of a mask. When this increases the amount of melanin produced also increases creating patches of darkened skin. Physical blocking sunscreens tend to offer broader protection and may be less irritating to the skin. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. Dermatol Surg. It's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Look for products that say fragrance-free, for sensitive skin, or non-comedogenic on the label. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. 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 can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back. . The side effects of melasma treatments aren't entirely understood, and treatments may not be safe for you to use while you're pregnant. The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. 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. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. An increase in estrogen levels can worsen melasma. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. Where are the discolorations located on your body? and the condition. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Sun exposure triggers melanin production, and pregnancy makes the skin more sensitive and more prone to melanin production. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. 2021. Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back, Dr. Belkin cautions. Your hair and skin may also go through a transformation for the better or worse. Melasma is typically a chronic disorder. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . Pregnancy Melasma (Pregnancy Mask): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Melasma is hard to treat. PMID: 30998530. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. Check out our article on safe skin care during pregnancy. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. If it doesnt, pursue treatment options with your healthcare provider. This skin disorder can affect your social life if youre feeling self-conscious about it. 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. ), document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), 2023 Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. The good news: Pregnancy mask is usually temporary and fades after delivery or, in some cases, after you finish breastfeeding. When your skin heals from the treatment, it may cause even more discoloration. The best course of treatment may actually be prevention, with the help of a few lifestyle changes. A topical treatment isnt your only option. 2) Stopping the transfer of that pigment to the surface of the skin where it appears as dark spots. In the third trimester, the proportion of hair follicles retained in the anagen (growing) phase increases. However, it can make people self-conscious about their appearance. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. Shell also sometimes prescribe oral medication to slow down the rate of re-pigmentation and rebounding. The agents listed above rarely eradicate all of the melasma. There are three types of melasma and they have to do with the depth of the pigment. Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. Hair changes with pregnancy. Why do dark spots and patches appear on the skin during pregnancy? Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. Melasma is more common in people with medium to darker skin and seems to run in families. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.