document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). Coll Antropol. This doesnt mean you have to stay indoors when the sun is out, though. Even after melasma is treated and improved, I recommend use of a daily topical cream and oral antioxidants to maintain results long-term, advises Dr. Nazarian. Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 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. if not please suggest cream? LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet. What Helps With Melasma During Pregnancy? Speak with your doctor about ways to treat your melasma during pregnancy. Laser is a great option, he shares. Avoid exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. 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. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. The outer layer is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis, and the deepest layer is the subcutis. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. What causes these skin changes during pregnancy? There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. If youre using concealer or foundation to cover your melasma, choose products developed for sensitive skin. You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. Remember that it's likely to go away after giving birth. Melasma can sometimes be mistaken for another skin condition. 2021. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. 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. Many women notice their hair becomes thicker during pregnancy. Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer 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. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. Commonly occurring during pregnancy, melasma is sometimes referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy because dark patches on the face can resemble a mask. This skin disorder can affect your social life if youre feeling self-conscious about it. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Read our, Why Does Melasma Develop During Pregnancy. Skin care products that irritate your skin. Careful sun protection is key. If youre susceptible to pregnancy melasma, unprotected sun exposure can worsen it. Melasma is usually flat. But, keep in mind, once you experience this patchwork discoloration, youre more susceptible to it recurring if you become pregnant again. ), 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. Learn more aboutour editorial and medical review policies. 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. She works full-time as a senior content manager at a multinational digital agency. 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. Pregnancy melasma is a pretty straightforward skin condition. A dermatologist will be able to perform treatments that your usual healthcare provider may not be able to. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. PMID: 30998530. There are also other tactics you can try. 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. It depends on the person and the medication used. Anderson Cancer Center. Melasma appears slowly over a period of weeks or months. 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. 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. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. If youve noticed dark patches of skin on your face, you may have melasma. Your skin color and type may make this condition more or less noticeable. Another exfoliation option would be to have a laser skin resurfacing treatment. Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. Use the treatment and management advice from your dermatologist or another healthcare provider. Again, there are a variety of factors at play when it comes to darkening pigment. In response to light, heat, or ultraviolet radiation or by hormonal stimulation, the melanocytes produce more melanin, and thats why your skin darkens. What Are Some Ways To Help Cope With Pregnancy Melasma? She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs. The second path to take is topical medications. Were explaining why this occurs, below. Melasma After Pregnancy (Causes, Prevention, Treatments) American Academy of Family Physicians. Melasma During Pregnancy - Causes, Signs & Prevention Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Some topical products we have found safe to use during pregnancy are Vitamin-C, Azelaic Acid, Lytera 2.0, and physical sunscreen. 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. I look for symmetry, since it would be unusual to have melasma only or much worse on one side of the face.. Head out early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is low. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. The spots develop when the hormones trigger cells called melanocytes, which go into overdrive and produce more of a substance called melanin. The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. An increase in estrogen levels can worsen melasma. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD is a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology. The same goes for makeup you may use to conceal the dark areas. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. Birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all help trigger melasma. 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. Melasma is a super common skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation on certain areas of the face, explains Dan Belkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the New York Dermatology Group in NYC. In turn, the addition of vitamin C serum to skincare routines helps fight free radical damage, brightens the skin, and improves skin tone. If it bothers you, Dr. Belkin recommends using a tinted sunscreen to help, well, mask your pregnancy mask.. Dr. Belkin says his pregnancy melasma diagnoses center around the timing of its appearance and its placement. 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. American Academy of Dermatology. Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). You could also take a vitamin D supplement. 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, Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Last medically reviewed on April 30, 2021. Look on the label for words like noncomedogenic, sensitive, fragrance-free, or dermatologist approved if you get overwhelmed in the beauty aisle. Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant? Originally coined in Latin, it loosely translates into black spot. While melasma doesnt actually cause black spots to appear on the skin, it does create brown or blue-gray discolorations that are grouped together to form larger patches. Melasma & Pregnancy | Melasma During Pregnancy - Health Centre National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine. Who is at risk of melasma? Breast Changes During Pregnancy Dr. Nazarian shares that she prefers a multipronged approach to treating pregnancy 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. 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. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Sometimes melasma will return and needs further treatment. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Melanin in the basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. Dr. Geddes-Bruce is fellowship-trained in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Its often used to treat hyperpigmentation as well as rosacea and acne during pregnancy and is available in prescription form and over-the-counter gels, foams and creams. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If youve noticed new, dark skin splotches on your face, youve probably got melasma which is often called the mask of pregnancy. But youre not alone this condition affects an estimated 50 to 75 percent of expectant mothers. What is known is that there is a genetic component in the development of melasma. This increased workload can cause shortness of breath and fatigue, and it is essential to take breaks and rest when needed. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Your healthcare provider may test your thyroid. Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. Melasma is thought to be primarily related to; external sun exposure, external hormones like birth control pills, and internal hormonal changes during pregnancy. 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. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. Make sure youre staying hydrated, eating a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep each night. What Causes Melasma During Pregnancy? - MedicineNet The most effective way to treat pregnancy melasma is to see your dermatologist as soon as you start to see its hallmark patchwork appear. There are also some procedures including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other light therapies that may work. 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. Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. 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. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. If you experience these signs or develop severe irritation, you may be dealing with another condition. There are several topical, procedural, and oral therapies to manage melasma during pregnancy. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully.