Accessed 7/23/20. 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. Read our, Why Does Melasma Develop During Pregnancy. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. Heres more about this condition, why it crops up in pregnancy, and how you can treat it safely. While not being harmful to the health of either mother or child, pregnancy melasma can be a source of embarrassment for some expecting mothers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This increased workload can cause shortness of breath and fatigue, and it is essential to take breaks and rest when needed. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview [Accessed September 2020], UpToDate. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. Is there a history of melasma in your family? Is it sunlight? Ali, S, Bali S, P S. Hormonal evaluation in females having melasma. But, keep in mind that it can fade on its own after youre no longer pregnant, and there are other ways to help it along the way. In the third trimester, the proportion of hair follicles retained in the anagen (growing) phase increases. Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. Why do dark spots and patches appear on the skin during pregnancy? Beyond that, the dark patches on the face can be exacerbated by sun exposure, the use of certain skin care products or treatments, and even genetics. You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. It's typically diagnosed after an individual develops multiple pregnancies at once. Many compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. 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. What medications and/or vitamins can I take to help heal my melasma? StatPearls: Melasma. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Estimates vary, but up to 70% of pregnant people develop melasma. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. The worse it gets, the harder it will be for treatments to work. Your. 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. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. 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. 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. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. American Academy of Dermatology. There are three types of melasma and they have to do with the depth of the pigment. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Exposure to the sun can make melasma worse. 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. Another exfoliation option would be to have a laser skin resurfacing treatment. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Non-pregnancy related hormonal changes like oral contraceptives may also cause skin hyperpigmentation. Melasma (chloasma or mask of pregnancy) may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy ( Figure 2). Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Exactly How to Treat the Skin Discoloration. Melasma is a common skin disorder. By Nancy LeBrun A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Bonus: You can. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. When Might Melasma Develop During Pregnancy? Melasma: causes. 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. In pregnancy, it's often referred to as chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy.". You could also take a vitamin D supplement. 2015;4:13240-13247. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. Kalayc M. Pregnancy mask: melasma. 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. 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. That said, it may take time possibly months for it to completely fade without any targeted treatment. Use the treatment and management advice from your dermatologist or another healthcare provider. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Were explaining why this occurs, below. There are several topical, procedural, and oral therapies to manage melasma during pregnancy. Are you interested in procedures that may improve your melasma? Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. If the skin changes are bothersome, consider another birth control option. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. Last medically reviewed on April 30, 2021. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. Genetics? Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. If youre exercising, try avoiding peak sun hours in your area, generally the middle of the day. That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone. And ask your doctor about any potential vitamin deficiencies. 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. Again, there are a variety of factors at play when it comes to darkening pigment. In pregnant people, melasma often goes away on its own within a few months after giving birth. 1. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. ClinicalTrials.gov. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of themduring their reproductive years, when theyre 20 to 40 years old. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. 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 do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. Read our. Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. What makes breast cancer come back? 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. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. It usually goes away after you give birth. There's no proven link between. Melasma. 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. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Are the soaps Im using right now aggravating my melasma (come with a list if you need to)? 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. What are stretch marks? 2 Is Any Acne Treatment Safe to Use During Pregnancy? Your healthcare provider may test your thyroid. As mentioned, pregnancy melasma is a skin condition thats pervasive among pregnant people. Hormonal changes: The extra estrogen and progesterone your body makes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. It sometimes affects your arms, neck and back. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Undated. Chemical peels address discoloration by exfoliating the top layers of skin, allowing newer and more evenly toned skin cells to rise to the surface. Speak with your doctor about ways to treat your melasma during pregnancy. (Youre beautiful all the same.). Between 1.5% and 33% of the population may get melasma and it happens more often during a womans reproductive years, and rarely happens during puberty. Treatments for melasma include topical creams, chemical peels, as well as gentle skin resurfacing procedures. I look for symmetry, since it would be unusual to have melasma only or much worse on one side of the face.. It often presents as a darkening in skin color around the mid or upper forehead, lateral cheeks, and upper lip, describes Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. Dendritic (branched) pigmented melanocytes. (2008). Shipping, Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment, Non-pregnancy related hormonal imbalances. Dealing with melasma during pregnancy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. Changing hormones, particularly the excess of estrogen and progesterone, is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. As youve likely already inferred from its alternate moniker, becoming pregnant puts you at a higher risk of developing pregnancy melasma. Hormones (including hormonal medications). You may be referred to a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It mimics discoloration of other skin conditions, and should be diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist MD/DO to prevent misdiagnosis and incorrect treatments.. 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 2017;3(1):11-20. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.01.004. Report all side effects to your healthcare provider. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. Estrogen coupled with blood vessel growth, sun exposure, genetics, and hormones deposit pigment in the skin. (We know, weve felt that knee-jerk instinct at times, too.) How Many Types of Pregnancy Melasma Are There? If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. Make a mask with cooked oatmeal and honey, leave it on skin for about 10 min and wash it. By Cat Matta 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. Sunlight: When sunlight hits our skin, it triggers the body to produce more melanin. If you experience these signs or develop severe irritation, you may be dealing with another condition. Skin care products that irritate your skin. 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. . A review of laser and light therapy in melasma. 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. Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. DermNet NZ; Science SourceA pregnancy mask may appear as dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin. Make a good concealer your best friend. Melasma appears most commonly on your cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip and the forehead. 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. How many hours of sunlight do you recommend I receive? What Is Pregnancy Melasma? During pregnancy, the body goes through significant hormonal changes. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. It often presents as a darkening in skin color around the mid or upper forehead, lateral cheeks, and upper lip. It protects your bones, muscles, organs and everything else from the cold, from germs, sunshine, moisture, toxic substances, injury and more. Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. 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. Very common lumps found among women during pregnancy are clogged milk ducts. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. Melasma that appears during pregnancy usually does go away within a few months after you give birth. Pregnancy melasma, also known as a pregnancy mask, is an extremely common condition that causes skin hyperpigmentation (i.e. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. Examples of tyrosinase inhibitors and other types of helpful agents include: The combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a moderate topical steroid has had the best effect on melasma. Treatment once you have finished breast- feeding can take the normal course, which normally begins with topical bleaching . Regrettably, you cant avoid genetics, or stop the skin condition when youre pregnant. For many people, pregnancy melasma can improve after youre no longer pregnantonce your hormonal levels return to their normal, pre-pregnant levels. What about the face? The best course of treatment may actually be prevention, with the help of a few lifestyle changes. Melasma is a typically chronic disorder. 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. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. 2021. Pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure, medication side effects, genetics, age, inflammation, and skin injuries can all lead to different types of skin discoloration. It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. 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. See your dermatologist in that instance. The outer layer is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis, and the deepest layer is the subcutis. Eva Dasher writes, researches, and edits content on a wide variety of subjects, including parenting, medicine, travel, natural history, science, business, and the arts. 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. Shell also sometimes prescribe oral medication to slow down the rate of re-pigmentation and rebounding. Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. Melasma is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy because it frequently affects pregnant women. A few alternative remedies, like turmeric and aloe vera, have shown at least some success at improving melasma. Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back. If you feel that its negatively impacting your life, or you have any other concerns, try not to suffer in silence. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Vitamin D helps keep your skin healthy in general. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. All rights reserved. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. Pregnancy. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen as needed. 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. 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. In addition to topical treatments and oral medication, Dr. Belkin recommends going that route, with a couple of caveats. General Health. While there are no specific studies on these methods for chloasma, the following topical treatments may help: Since melasma may also be the result of hormonal imbalances, you may improve matters by giving yourself some much-needed TLC. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. An Bras Dermatol. Who is at risk of melasma? The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. If it doesnt, pursue treatment options with your healthcare provider. 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. Melanin in the basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. Melasma sometimes resolves itself one hormonal balance is restored. Here are ways of reducing melasma on the face during pregnancy: 1. Other possible causes of melasma include: Melasma causes light brown, dark brown, and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots on your skin. Vitamin C is used in skin care as a strong antioxidant, especially in regard to protecting the skin from sun damage. Changes in hormones especially estrogen and progesterone is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. Privacy Policy Lasers, which can be irritating especially during pregnancy, are no-nos too. You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. 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. If other treatments haven't helped, a dermatologist can lighten dark spots with laser treatments, but that's not the first option. Although its a benign condition that doesnt cause any pain or discomfort, its appearance can negatively impact your confidence and self-esteem. beneath the breasts during late pregnancy. It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects. Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant. You may see a line ( linea. 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. 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. Can Fam Physician. If youre susceptible to pregnancy melasma, unprotected sun exposure can worsen it. You may notice dark patches or splotches on your forehead, cheeks, chin, or around your mouth. The linea nigra will probably fade back to its pre-pregnancy color several months after you deliver your baby, but may not completely disappear. Unmasking the Causes and Treatments of Melasma, Treatment of Melasma and the Use of Intense Pulsed Light: A Review, Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications, A Review of Laser and Light Therapy in Melasma, New Changes in Pregnancy and Lactation Labelling: Review of Dermatologic Drugs, Melasma: An Up-to-Date Comprehensive Review, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. With that being said, most people with melasma dont require treatmentits a personal choice. If hyperpigmentation started in pregnancy or after birth control pills, or worsens in summer, that would suggest melasma, he says. What causes these skin changes during pregnancy? 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. If it bothers you, Dr. Belkin recommends using a tinted sunscreen to help, well, mask your pregnancy mask.. Remember that it's likely to go away after giving birth. But you may be able to avoid the factors listed above which make melasma worse. She served as Chief Resident at one of the nations top dermatology programs The University of Texas at Houston and M.D. The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. The good news is that this hyperpigmentation likely wont get worse after you deliver your child. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. Dermal melasma is light brown or bluish, with blurred borders. The following are common melasma triggers: In addition to the above, genetics play a crucial role. An increase in estrogen levels can worsen melasma. Therefore, wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? But, melasma patches are almost always larger than what we call age spots, sun spots, or liver spots. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. Yes. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Sun exposure plays a role too. Pregnancy comes with a host of emotions and physical changes. 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. Policy. Its always best to speak with your healthcare provider. 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. This pregnancy-friendly spin on traditional chili is packed with the nutrients your body needs when you're expecting. Your belly gets larger and your blood volume increases as your baby grows. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. 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. In what stage of pregnancy does melasma occur? 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. Hello. It may take several months for your hormones to balance and skin pigmentation to fade. Be sure that youre rounding out your diet by consuming supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. Then apply your foundation to the rest of your face, avoiding the patches. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. All rights reserved. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. Melasma is a skin condition causing uneven, darkened areas or spots that look like freckles. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. If youve noticed dark patches of skin on your face, you may have melasma. Melasma is harmless.