Skin problems in pregnancy | DermNet Int J Womens Dermatol. 5 How to Prevent Melasma. (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.). 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. 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. 2014;89:771-782. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143063. When your skin heals from the treatment, it may cause even more discoloration. Skin darkening during pregnancy (melasma or chloasma) 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. 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. It sometimes affects your arms, neck and back. beneath the breasts during late pregnancy. Melasma is common, normal and harmless, but it can be bothersome. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. Fortunately, melasma typically fades after about three months. However, it can make people self-conscious about their appearance. Retinoid treatments and many chemical peels sometimes used to treat hyperpigmentation in facial treatments are a no-go when youre expecting. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. An Bras Dermatol. Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. Your. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. 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. The same goes for makeup you may use to conceal the dark areas. It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects. Melasma is a highly common skin conditionand the majority of cases are among pregnant people. This skin disorder can affect your social life if youre feeling self-conscious about it. American Academy of Family Physicians. Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. Accessed 7/23/20. The most effective way to treat pregnancy melasma is to see your dermatologist as soon as you start to see its hallmark patchwork appear. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Melasma During Pregnancy: Is Hydroquinone Safe? Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. The heart has to work harder during pregnancy to pump blood to both the mother and the growing fetus. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. It may take several months for your hormones to balance and skin pigmentation to fade. 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. While not being harmful to the health of either mother or child, pregnancy melasma can be a source of embarrassment for some expecting mothers. Melasma will not harm your baby. It depends on the person and the medication used. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 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. Those with a combination of ingredients that help using different pathways to diminish pigment.. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. 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. When you are pregnant, your body shows several changes. If youre exercising, try avoiding peak sun hours in your area, generally the middle of the day. What medications and/or vitamins can I take to help heal my melasma? Fairer-skinned people are less likely to be affected by melasma than those with darker brown skin or those who tan well. Lasers, which can be irritating especially during pregnancy, are no-nos too. 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. Your skin is your barricade. Melasma on face: How to treat chloasma postpartum | BabyCenter It is supremely sensitive to the sun, worsening with relatively minimal exposure, cautions Dr. Belkin. During pregnancy, the body goes through significant hormonal changes. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. Bonus: You can. Theyll use a Woods lamp (a black light) to see changes in the color of your skin. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. AAD. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. 2021. If you have dark skin, seek a provider who is experienced in laser treatment for people of color. When Might Melasma Develop During Pregnancy? They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. 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. It usually goes away after you give birth. Melasma appears most often during the second or third trimester, as hormonal changes increase. 2021. Melasma is typically a chronic disorder. Your healthcare provider may administer the test. The primary symptom of chloasma is darkening of the skin on the face. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. 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. Don't expect instant results it may take many months to see improvement. After pregnancy, you may ask your dermatologist about other treatments if your melasma doesnt fade on its own. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. 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. American Academy of Dermatology. 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. 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. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. This doesnt mean you have to stay indoors when the sun is out, though. What about the face? Barsh G. What Controls Variation in Skin Color? You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. In pregnancy, it's often referred to as chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy.". The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. Safe melasma treatment DURING pregnancy? - RealSelf.com Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. 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. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about another type of skin disorder. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. If your skin is still blotchy a few months after giving birth and it's bothering you, talk to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist about treatment options for melasma. Otherwise, speak with your doctor about the options for treatment and the benefits and risks of each. Again, there are a variety of factors at play when it comes to darkening pigment. Melasma usually fades after a few months. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Wondering what skin care products are safe and which to avoid while pregnant? Dermatol Surg. Some people may feel embarrassed to allow others to see their skin condition. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. 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 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. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Handel AC, Miot LDB, Miot HA. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. Too much screen time? Non-pregnancy related hormonal changes like oral contraceptives may also cause skin hyperpigmentation. Physical blocking sunscreens tend to offer broader protection and may be less irritating to the skin. She works full-time as a senior content manager at a multinational digital agency. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. Where are the discolorations located on your body? In fact, melasma can affect any part of your skin that is exposed to sunlight. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. Look for noncomedogenic or hypoallergenic foundations, concealers, powders, and other products. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. Melasma can sometimes be mistaken for another skin condition. Melanin is what gives skin its color. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs of melasma during pregnancy Melasma occurs most often on the face as brown or grayish-brown patches that sometimes look blotchy. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. 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. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. You may be referred to a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. A topical treatment isnt your only option. Do I have melasma or another type of skin disorder? It is not visible under blacklight and is much more challenging to treat. Melasma During Pregnancy - Causes, Signs & Prevention Learn more aboutour editorial and medical review policies. Swap out face washes, lotions or creams that contain fragrances or coloring. They can look similar! Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. How to Prevent and Treat Melasma During Pregnancy However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. 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. And, if youre pregnant, its appearance may improve on its own around three months after your baby arrives and your surge in pregnancy hormones stabilizes. Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. Start at 2,000 International Units (IU) per day. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. It's unlikely that a healthcare provider will recommend treatment, as melasma often goes away on its own a few months after giving birth. 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). Pregnancy and your body. : Richard Lorenzo, DO: OB-GYN For some women, contraceptives containing estrogen (such as the Pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) can also contribute to melasma. Your belly gets larger and your blood volume increases as your baby grows. Regrettably, you cant avoid genetics, or stop the skin condition when youre pregnant. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out whats possibly causing the melasma. And ask your doctor about any potential vitamin deficiencies. Exposure to the sun can make melasma worse. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. Estrogen and progesterone, which are thought to trigger it, start building after 12 weeks and peak around 32 weeks. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Since melasma often goes away on its own within a few months of giving birth, your healthcare provider may recommend that you don't treat it. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . These are red, tender-to-the-touch, hard lumps in your breasts. Eva Dasher writes, researches, and edits content on a wide variety of subjects, including parenting, medicine, travel, natural history, science, business, and the arts. Its dark brown in color, has well-defined borders, glows under blacklight, and can respond well to treatment. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. 1. Melasma during pregnancy is very common. Treatment once you have finished breast- feeding can take the normal course, which normally begins with topical bleaching . Bolanca I, et al. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy | AAFP Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. The side effects of melasma treatments aren't entirely understood, and treatments may not be safe for you to use while you're pregnant. Make sure youre staying hydrated, eating a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep each night. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. After all, as it progresses, it gets more difficult to treat.