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2003 Oct;1(1): e27. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out whats possibly causing the melasma. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. 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. Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). American Academy of Family Physicians. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. By Cat Matta If you didnt see it in pictures or a mirror, you wouldnt even know you had itit doesnt itch, hurt, or cause any other sensation. Will I still have melasma after my pregnancy? Do this by avoiding the sun, tanning beds, LED screens, irritating soaps and birth control that includes hormones. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. 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. While not being harmful to the health of either mother or child, pregnancy melasma can be a source of embarrassment for some expecting mothers. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. 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. Ali, S, Bali S, P S. Hormonal evaluation in females having melasma. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Chloasma may also be worsened by hormonal imbalances that may have been present even before pregnancy. The best course of treatment may actually be prevention, with the help of a few lifestyle changes. Melasma that appears during pregnancy usually does go away within a few months after you give birth. I use a variety of modalities to treat this conditionspecific topicals and chemical peels, she shares. 6.6 Naturium vitamin C Complex Face Serum. 2011;57(6):665-667. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. How can I prevent melasma from getting worse during pregnancy? See your dermatologist in that instance. Melasma that arises during pregnancy may go away on its own, but it wont happen overnight. During pregnancy, the body goes through significant hormonal changes. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. 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. 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. It's considered safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeidng. (We know, weve felt that knee-jerk instinct at times, too.) Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Despite the fact that pregnancy melasma isnt a dangerous condition, it can do a number on your self-esteem and confidence. Changes in skin pigmentation due to melasma usually disappear on their own after delivery. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. This increased workload can cause shortness of breath and fatigue, and it is essential to take breaks and rest when needed. American Academy of Family Physicians. Is Any Acne Treatment Safe to Use During Pregnancy? 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. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Avoid exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. 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. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. 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. Kalayc M. Pregnancy mask: melasma. Make-up labeled as non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic is less likely to irritate skin and worsen melasma. 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. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. Sun exposure plays a role too. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by clinical examination and questionnaire on 400 pregnant women. Your hair and skin may also go through a transformation for the better or worse. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. 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. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. 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. Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. They can look similar! Some melasma treatments are safe to begin during pregnancy. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. Changing hormones, particularly the excess of estrogen and progesterone, is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. 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. There are preventative measures you can take. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Dr. Belkin says his pregnancy melasma diagnoses center around the timing of its appearance and its placement. Melasma is a skin condition causing uneven, darkened areas or spots that look like freckles. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. Your healthcare provider may administer the test. Melasma may also occur when you either start or stop hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, or when you take hormone replacement therapy, says Dr. Gilchrest. Take preventative steps like avoiding sunlight to keep your melasma from getting worse or, if it does fade away, to keep it from coming back. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. 2019. (Other hormonal alterations, such as birth control medication and hormonal replacement therapy can also trigger melasma in nonpregnant people.). Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer pregnant. Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. Applying this powerful antioxidant to your skin can help brighten melasma while providing other anti-aging benefits, like increased collegen production. By Nancy LeBrun Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. Pregnancy is not the only cause of melasma. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. Is it sunlight? This pregnancy-friendly spin on traditional chili is packed with the nutrients your body needs when you're expecting. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or other physical blockers (mineral sunscreens) versus those that rely on chemical blockers. Sunlight: When sunlight hits our skin, it triggers the body to produce more melanin. One reason is that it may resolve on its own. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. Check out our article on safe skin care during pregnancy. If you feel that its negatively impacting your life, or you have any other concerns, try not to suffer in silence. Fractional lasers are commonly used for treating melasma. What Is Pregnancy Melasma? Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone. 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. 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. A review of laser and light therapy in melasma. Melasma is common, normal and harmless, but it can be bothersome. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. The same goes for makeup you may use to conceal the dark areas. No. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. There are three main methods of treatment for melasma: 1) Slowing down or stopping the creation of the pigment melanin. After all, as it progresses, it gets more difficult to treat. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the stomach, hips, breasts, and thighs. Dr. Nazarian shares that she prefers a multipronged approach to treating pregnancy melasma. Estrogen and progesterone, which are thought to trigger it, start building after 12 weeks and peak around 32 weeks. When this increases the amount of melanin produced also increases creating patches of darkened skin. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. Why do dark spots and patches appear on the skin during pregnancy? 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. In addition, melasma can make skin that is already darker even more so. 2015;4:13240-13247. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. 1st ed. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Skin care products that irritate your skin. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. ), 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. Int J Womens Dermatol. Your skin is your barricade. What makes breast cancer come back? Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. What skin solutions are off-limits during pregnancy? 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. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. 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. Returns Melasma usually fades after a few months. This discoloration is usually symmetrical and is most common on the cheeks and nose, but its also found on the forehead and upper lip. That said, it may take time possibly months for it to completely fade without any targeted treatment. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy. AAD. It can be frustrating to deal with changes to your skin during pregnancy. 5 How to Prevent Melasma. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. 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. Medications that may cause or worsen melasma. . If youre susceptible to pregnancy melasma, unprotected sun exposure can worsen it. Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. 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. It depends on the person and the medication used. Bolanca I, et al. Use the treatment and management advice from your dermatologist or another healthcare provider. Hello. Pregnancy comes with a host of emotions and physical changes. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview [Accessed September 2020], UpToDate. 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. 2021. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. 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. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. Regrettably, you cant avoid genetics, or stop the skin condition when youre pregnant. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. Melasma that is triggered by pregnancy can fade after you have given . 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. All rights reserved. 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. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. A topical treatment isnt your only option. Make sure youre staying hydrated, eating a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep each night. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. Doctors believe they may be caused by weight gain or extra hormones of pregnancy. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant.