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. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. People with more pigment in their skin for example, those of African, North African, Middle Eastern, Latin or Hispanic, Asian, Indian, or Mediterranean descent are more likely to develop chloasma, as they naturally have more active melanin production. After pregnancy, you may ask your dermatologist about other treatments if your melasma doesnt fade on its own. Sometimes melasma will return and needs further treatment. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs. She served as Chief Resident at one of the nations top dermatology programs The University of Texas at Houston and M.D. 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. Learn more aboutour editorial and medical review policies. 1. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. The three types are: Melasma is not cancerous, a sign of cancer, or a skin condition that turns into cancer. Pregnancy melasma is a pretty straightforward skin condition. Not all laser therapies are ideal for treating discoloration. Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: Skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes https://www.uptodate.com/contents/the-skin-hair-nails-and-mucous-membranes-during-pregnancy [Accessed September 2020], UpToDate. 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. The spots develop when the hormones trigger cells called melanocytes, which go into overdrive and produce more of a substance called melanin. You may be referred to a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Shipping, Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment, Non-pregnancy related hormonal imbalances. Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. Swap out face washes, lotions or creams that contain fragrances or coloring. Always be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. Your skin is made up of three layers. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. The primary symptom of chloasma is darkening of the skin on the face. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. All rights reserved. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. Is there a history of melasma in your family? (Youre beautiful all the same.). Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for more information. Pregnancy comes with a host of emotions and physical changes. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. When did see the discoloration in your skin? Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. How much youre out in the sun or even the time of year when youre pregnant may also affect when you first notice it. How can I prevent melasma from getting worse during pregnancy? Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. There are also other tactics you can try. Melasma appears most commonly on your cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip and the forehead. Goodarzi A, et al. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Melasma is typically a chronic disorder. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. 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. Applying this powerful antioxidant to your skin can help brighten melasma while providing other anti-aging benefits, like increased collegen production. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. An Bras Dermatol. A Woods lamp that emits black light may be used to determine the depth of the pigment. Melasma: causes. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. During your pregnancy, avoid spending too much time in the sun. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. 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. Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. Although most skin-lightening ingredients are off-limits during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about whether you can apply topical azelaic acid to your skin for melasma. If concealer causes other problems for example, if youve got oily or sensitive skin turn to pressed powder to lighten the spots. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about another type of skin disorder. However, there are skin cancers that may mimic melasma, so seeing your dermatologist is often recommended to confirm the correct diagnosis. But you dont have to just live with it. There are treatment options. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. When you are pregnant, your body shows several changes. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. 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. 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. Melasma appears in six locations or a combination of locations on your skin: Your healthcare provider will decide for sure if you have melasma or another type of skin disorder. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. Sunlight: When sunlight hits our skin, it triggers the body to produce more melanin. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. It protects your bones, muscles, organs and everything else from the cold, from germs, sunshine, moisture, toxic substances, injury and more. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. Skin conditions commonly confused with melasma include: If you have melasma, the results of the biopsy will typically reveal the following: The severity of your melasma can be measured by using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. NIH. Treatment once you have finished breast- feeding can take the normal course, which normally begins with topical bleaching . 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. If hyperpigmentation started in pregnancy or after birth control pills, or worsens in summer, that would suggest melasma, he says. 2015;4:13240-13247. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. A safer choice would be azeleic acid which is completely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 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. Melasma is usually flat. It is very likely that if you were going to get Melasma at the time of . Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These hormones are thought to contribute to your melasma. The following are common melasma triggers: In addition to the above, genetics play a crucial role. If you do opt for treatment for your pregnancy melasma, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a topical skin-lightening cream, with pregnancy-safe ingredients, like hydroquinone. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. ), 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. Why Does Pregnancy Make My Lips and Skin So Dry? There are also some procedures including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other light therapies that may work. Make a good concealer your best friend. Bolanca I, et al. You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. The best course of treatment may actually be prevention, with the help of a few lifestyle changes. Estrogen coupled with blood vessel growth, sun exposure, genetics, and hormones deposit pigment in the skin. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. Basit H, Godse KV, Al Aboud, AM. Pregnancy melasma, also known as a " pregnancy mask," is an extremely common condition that causes skin hyperpigmentation (i.e. Eat a variety of healthy, whole foods, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. The side effects of melasma treatments aren't entirely understood, and treatments may not be safe for you to use while you're pregnant. If you have the dermal pigment, it may take longer to fade away than if you have the epidermal pigment. This discoloration is usually symmetrical and is most common on the cheeks and nose, but its also found on the forehead and upper lip. 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. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. However, it is not likely to go away while youre pregnant or taking hormone contraceptives. if not please suggest cream? Melasma is more common in people with medium to darker skin and seems to run in families. Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women. Does pregnancy melanoma go away on its own? 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. 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. American Academy of Family Physicians. 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. 2021. Were explaining why this occurs, below. Despite the fact that pregnancy melasma isnt a dangerous condition, it can do a number on your self-esteem and confidence. Melasma is harmless. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview [Accessed September 2020], UpToDate. Melasma is hard to treat. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Your epidermis contains cells called melanocytes that store and produce a dark color (pigment) known as melanin. Melasma can return. Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). These areas may get darker the more youre exposed to the sun or the further along you are in your pregnancy. Your soap? 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. Some topical products we have found safe to use during pregnancy are Vitamin-C, Azelaic Acid, Lytera 2.0, and physical sunscreen. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. (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.). Non-pregnancy related hormonal changes like oral contraceptives may also cause skin hyperpigmentation. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Many compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. In addition, melasma can make skin that is already darker even more so. These are red, tender-to-the-touch, hard lumps in your breasts. In the third trimester, the proportion of hair follicles retained in the anagen (growing) phase increases. 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. And make sure youre getting the right treatment by confirming the diagnosis with your healthcare provider. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Accessed 7/23/20. It is not cancerous and does not become cancerous, nor does it have any effect on your pregnancy. 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. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. 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. Sometimes the patches can become red or inflamed. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. We'll tell you the best pregnancy-safe sunscreens so you and your, When you're expecting, pregnancy-safe skin care can help ensure the health of you and your baby. 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. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by clinical examination and questionnaire on 400 pregnant women. Melasma (chloasma or mask of pregnancy) may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy ( Figure 2). What Bodily Changes Can You Expect During Pregnancy? What are stretch marks? Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment within a few months. It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. 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. Where are the discolorations located on your body? 2. Melasma sometimes resolves itself one hormonal balance is restored. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. Face washes, lotions, and serums that irritate your skin may make melasma worse. Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. (Other hormonal alterations, such as birth control medication and hormonal replacement therapy can also trigger melasma in nonpregnant people.). Therefore, wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. 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. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. Treatment of Melasma During 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. Too much screen time? Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Dealing with melasma during pregnancy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. This may . Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. 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, a skin-friendly diet including adequate amounts of vitamin D is likely to help. ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Melasma is a common skin disorder. The agents listed above rarely eradicate all of the melasma. Melanin in the dermis within melanophages. Again, there are a variety of factors at play when it comes to darkening pigment. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. One of the only topical lightening ingredients thats considered safe to use during pregnancy, azelaic acid hasnt been linked to birth defects in animal studies. The first thing you need to do to treat your melasma is to make sure that it doesnt get any worse. Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. These steps may prevent your melasma from getting worse. 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. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. Your healthcare provider might test your vitamin D levels to make sure that youre getting enough of it from high vitamin D foods such as meat, cereals, oily fish and eggs. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. Look on the label for words like noncomedogenic, sensitive, fragrance-free, or dermatologist approved if you get overwhelmed in the beauty aisle. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant?
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