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Although its a physically harmless skin condition, we know that it can be bothersome, even to the point of making you feel self-conscious in social settings. (We know, weve felt that knee-jerk instinct at times, too.) At this time no medication can completely prevent melasma. 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. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. You may notice dark patches or splotches on your forehead, cheeks, chin, or around your mouth. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of themduring their reproductive years, when theyre 20 to 40 years old. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. ClinicalTrials.gov. Melasma in Pregnancy: Treatment and Causes - Healthline Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. What Is Melasma (Pregnancy Mask)? Causes, Pictures Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. By Nancy LeBrun Melasma usually fades after a few months. Shell also sometimes prescribe oral medication to slow down the rate of re-pigmentation and rebounding. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Melasma can return. Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. He goes on to explain that the shape of the discolorations matters as well, since melasma coalesces in patches, as opposed to being distinct spotswhich would likely be other kinds of hyperpigmentation, such as sunspots. The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. If youve noticed dark patches of skin on your face, you may have melasma. These discolorations are flat, clustered, asymmetrical splotches. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. Melasma is common during pregnancy, as it is believed to be caused by increased levels of oestrogen in the blood. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. The good news is that this hyperpigmentation likely wont get worse after you deliver your child. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . Melasma: causes. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. However, it can make people self-conscious about their appearance. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. You may see a line ( linea. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. However, you can take certain precautions to lower your risk of developing it while pregnant or otherwise. Your dermatologist may recommend one or more of the following: Hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin (Retin-A) are just a few of the many options used to treat melasma. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone. This can occur when youre pregnant due to an increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. Vitamin D helps keep your skin healthy in general. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Overall, between 50 and 70 percent of people will develop some form of melasma during pregnancy. Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy | AAFP Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant? Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. A few alternative remedies, like turmeric and aloe vera, have shown at least some success at improving melasma. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. 6.7 AOBBIY Hyperpigment Remover. Melasma is usually flat. Eva Dasher writes, researches, and edits content on a wide variety of subjects, including parenting, medicine, travel, natural history, science, business, and the arts. A topical treatment isnt your only option. 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. The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. Ask your healthcare provider if youre concerned about another condition. The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. Since its unknown what causes melasma, aside from the things that trigger it, it can be difficult to prevent it. Can Melasma Be Prevented During Pregnancy? Your skin color and type may make this condition more or less noticeable. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. 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. 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. It often presents as a darkening in skin color around the mid or upper forehead, lateral cheeks, and upper lip. Applying this powerful antioxidant to your skin can help brighten melasma while providing other anti-aging benefits, like increased collegen production. After pregnancy, you may ask your dermatologist about other treatments if your melasma doesnt fade on its own. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen as needed. 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. This frittata is high in protein and rich in essential nutrients your body needs to support a growing baby. Melasma that is triggered by pregnancy can fade after you have given . Do I have melasma or another type of skin disorder? Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. Melanin is the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. 2020. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. Related: Your guide to pregnancy-safe skin care. When you are outside, reapply sunscreen once every two hours. A review of laser and light therapy in melasma. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant. But you dont have to just live with it. There are treatment options. Melasma: Treatment, Causes & Prevention - Cleveland Clinic What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. Solar elastosis and elastic fiber fragmentation. It's unlikely that a healthcare provider will recommend treatment, as melasma often goes away on its own a few months after giving birth. Stay out of the sun when the rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And make a fashion statement by sporting glam sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you leave the house. and the condition. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Melasma can even occur in men, although its far more common in women. However, it is not likely to go away while youre pregnant or taking hormone contraceptives. Sometimes the patches can become red or inflamed. 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. Melasma After Pregnancy (Causes, Prevention, Treatments) How Is Melasma Treated During Pregnancy? - Cary OBGYN ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? The worse it gets, the harder it will be for treatments to work. General Health. When it appears on the upper lip, it's referred to as a, It's important for everyone to use sunscreen there's no exception for pregnancy. Dr. Belkin says his pregnancy melasma diagnoses center around the timing of its appearance and its placement. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. There are also other tactics you can try. Dermal melasma is light brown or bluish, with blurred borders. Pregnancy and your body. : Richard Lorenzo, DO: OB-GYN For many people, pregnancy melasma can improve after youre no longer pregnantonce your hormonal levels return to their normal, pre-pregnant levels. And ask your doctor about any potential vitamin deficiencies. Pregnancy melasma is a pretty straightforward skin condition. Breastfeeding Safe Skincare: What to Avoid & Use on Skin Dr. Nazarian shares that she prefers a multipronged approach to treating pregnancy melasma. Melasma appears slowly over a period of weeks or months. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Melanin in the dermis within melanophages. 6.4 EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. 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. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. 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 Your healthcare provider may test your thyroid. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment They can look similar! It protects your bones, muscles, organs and everything else from the cold, from germs, sunshine, moisture, toxic substances, injury and more. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.. Hormones (including hormonal medications). 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. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. While pregnant, be careful to only use topical and oral treatments that are approved for pregnant women. Theyll use a Woods lamp (a black light) to see changes in the color of your skin. What are stretch marks? Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment The following are common melasma triggers: In addition to the above, genetics play a crucial role. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Youll be glowing again before you know it! Treatments include topical medications like: Your doctor may also recommend certain acids that lighten the skin, alone or in combination. Causes of melasma in pregnancy Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. Here are ways of reducing melasma on the face during pregnancy: 1. It depends on the person and the medication used. 5 How to Prevent Melasma. Bolanca I, et al. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. 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. Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. Pregnancy Melasma (Pregnancy Mask): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment The darkened spots probably will fade within a year after delivery, and your skin should return to its normal shade, although sometimes the changes never completely disappear. In pregnant people, melasma often goes away on its own within a few months after giving birth. Doctors believe they may be caused by weight gain or extra hormones of pregnancy. If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. How to treat your pregnancy melasma - Today's Parent Fortunately, melasma typically fades after about three months. 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. Therefore, wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. 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. Its always best to speak with your healthcare provider. Are any of my current medications causing or worsening my melasma? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. 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. Expect it to get worse and/or reoccur if you dont take steps such as avoiding the sun and makeups and soaps that irritate your skin. If someone in your family has had melasma, youre more vulnerable to the condition. Melasma is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy because it frequently affects pregnant women. All rights reserved. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. Look on the label for words like noncomedogenic, sensitive, fragrance-free, or dermatologist approved if you get overwhelmed in the beauty aisle. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". 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. Some people have melasma for years or their entire lives. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. If you feel that its negatively impacting your life, or you have any other concerns, try not to suffer in silence. Very common lumps found among women during pregnancy are clogged milk ducts. Are you interested in prescriptions that may improve your melasma? If you're seeking a preventive, we've gathered a few of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Accessed 7/23/2020. The best course of treatment may actually be prevention, with the help of a few lifestyle changes. Dealing with melasma during pregnancy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. 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. 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. 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. What Causes Melasma During Pregnancy? - MedicineNet We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. In addition to topical treatments and oral medication, Dr. Belkin recommends going that route, with a couple of caveats. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. Wear abroad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on your face all day, every day, even if youre not going outside, since harmful rays can come right through your windows. Who is at risk of melasma? Melasma is a highly common skin conditionand the majority of cases are among pregnant people. Your skin is your barricade. Exposure to the sun can make melasma 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. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. 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. Fractional lasers are commonly used for treating melasma. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. Goodarzi A, et al. Melasma is harmless. Careful sun protection is key. 2017;3(1):11-20. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.01.004. 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. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. In the third trimester, the proportion of hair follicles retained in the anagen (growing) phase increases. Occasionally, you might get it on the chest or arms, but that's unusual. 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. 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. U.S. National Library of Medicine. ), (https://dermnetnz.org/topics/drug-induced-photosensitivity/), (https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview), (https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/appendix-12/), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279255/#:~:text=What%20does%20skin%20do%3F,as%20germs%20and%20toxic%20substances. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. These are red, tender-to-the-touch, hard lumps in your breasts. Adding a skin condition like melasma to the mix can be frustrating, especially if it's making you self-conscious about your appearance. It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. 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. Coll Antropol. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Signs of melasma during pregnancy Melasma occurs most often on the face as brown or grayish-brown patches that sometimes look blotchy. Shipping, Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment, Non-pregnancy related hormonal imbalances. 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. I use a variety of modalities to treat this conditionspecific topicals and chemical peels, she shares. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out whats possibly causing the 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.). Melasma. Spots of melasma can sometimes be mistaken for freckles but they are not the same skin condition. Skin Conditions During Pregnancy - ACOG Your epidermis contains cells called melanocytes that store and produce a dark color (pigment) known as melanin. What about the face? They can help you with management and treatment of your melasma. Despite the fact that pregnancy melasma isnt a dangerous condition, it can do a number on your self-esteem and confidence. Your skin is made up of three layers. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. A safer choice would be azeleic acid which is completely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 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. What Helps With Melasma During Pregnancy? Undated. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. 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. 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. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. 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. Policy. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. Heat can trigger melasma by causing the blood vessels in the skin to dilate and send signals to create pigmentation. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. Accessibility Melasma: Causes - American Academy of Dermatology Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. Hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. Related: Skin color needs to be factored in when discussing skin diseases. Sometimes melasma will return and needs further treatment. Be sure that youre rounding out your diet by consuming supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. Learn more about. Your hair and skin may also go through a transformation for the better or worse. During your pregnancy, avoid spending too much time in the sun. Between 1.5% and 33% of the population may get melasma and it happens more often during a woman's reproductive years, and rarely happens during puberty. Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. PLoS Biol. Some melasma treatments are safe to begin during pregnancy. These hormones are thought to contribute to your melasma. Skin care products that irritate your skin. These steps may prevent your melasma from getting worse. Bonus: You can. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Sun exposure plays a role too. Discover what they are here. As youve likely already inferred from its alternate moniker, becoming pregnant puts you at a higher risk of developing pregnancy melasma. Melasma can sometimes be mistaken for another skin condition. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. Products that irritate the skin can make melasma worse. She may suggest using a bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone (and possibly sunscreen), a topical medication that contains tretinoin (Retin-A), or a chemical peel such as azelaic acid. 1. 2008;32(Suppl 2):139-141. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. "Hydroquinone does not get absorbed systemically". These areas may get darker the more youre exposed to the sun or the further along you are in your pregnancy. 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. If you have the dermal pigment, it may take longer to fade away than if you have the epidermal pigment. Are you interested in procedures that may improve your melasma? Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. Epidermal melasma resides in the surface of the skin. We'll tell you what to avoid and some good, Skin tags are common during pregnancy and can be painful. Check out our article on safe skin care during pregnancy. if not please suggest cream? Cut down on screen time in front of your LED screen television, tablet, mobile phone and computer. Otherwise, speak with your doctor about the options for treatment and the benefits and risks of each.