Your healthcare provider may administer the test. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Melasma (chloasma or mask of pregnancy) may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy ( Figure 2). Melasma is a harmless skin condition. 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. By Cat Matta Some of the skin conditions you may notice, such as stretch marks and melasma (dark spots and patches), are caused by pregnancy, and will fade over the next few months. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Melanin is what gives skin its color. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. Melasma will not harm your baby. All rights reserved. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. This is because radiation from ultraviolet rays acts as a catalyst for melanin production. It's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. In what stage of pregnancy does melasma occur? And ask your doctor about any potential vitamin deficiencies. Solar elastosis and elastic fiber fragmentation. Your epidermis contains cells called melanocytes that store and produce a dark color (pigment) known as melanin. Make a mask with cooked oatmeal and honey, leave it on skin for about 10 min and wash it. Pregnancy. 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. Slather up with gentle products instead. 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. It mimics discoloration of other skin conditions, and should be diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist MD/DO to prevent misdiagnosis and incorrect treatments.. AAD. Make sure youre staying hydrated, eating a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep each night. 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. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. A safer choice would be azeleic acid which is completely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If the hormones in your contraception are the cause of your melasma then, yes, it may go away. 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. 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. Pregnancy comes with a host of emotions and physical changes. How to Identify & Treat a Melasma Mustache, What to Know Before Getting Melasma Laser Treatment, Understanding Pityriasis Rosea vs. Guttate Psoriasis, Hyperpigmentation Around the Mouth: Everything to Know, Skin Discoloration: Causes and Treatments, Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review, A review of laser and light therapy in melasma. Treatments include topical medications like: Your doctor may also recommend certain acids that lighten the skin, alone or in combination. The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. American Academy of Dermatology. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? If you take preventative measures and follow any treatments recommended by your healthcare provider, your melasma might disappear. Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Melanin is the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Physical blocking sunscreens tend to offer broader protection and may be less irritating to the skin. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. UV light exposure only makes hyperpigmentation worse by further darkening skin. It's typically diagnosed after an individual develops multiple pregnancies at once. Products that irritate the skin can make melasma worse. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. 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. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. Eva Dasher writes, researches, and edits content on a wide variety of subjects, including parenting, medicine, travel, natural history, science, business, and the arts. Melasma is usually flat. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. Be sure that youre rounding out your diet by consuming supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. Who is at risk of melasma? and the condition. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. However, a skin-friendly diet including adequate amounts of vitamin D is likely to help. Loosely translated, the word means black spot. If you have melasma youre probably experiencing light brown, dark brown and/or blue-gray patches on your skin. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. If youve noticed dark patches of skin on your face, you may have melasma. These hormones are thought to contribute to your melasma. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Goodarzi A, et al. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. Warm compresses (running warm water over your breasts in the shower or applying a warm washcloth) and massages will probably clear the duct in a few days. You may see a line (linea nigra) extending from the pubic area over the belly, or darkening of the skin all over the body. Int J Womens Dermatol. Why do dark spots and patches appear on the skin during pregnancy? Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. 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. Another exfoliation option would be to have a laser skin resurfacing treatment. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment. Therapeutic options. Stretch marks are easier to prevent than erase. The first thing you need to do to treat your melasma is to make sure that it doesnt get any worse. Melasma is a highly common skin conditionand the majority of cases are among pregnant people. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. 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. (2008). 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. Since its unknown what causes melasma, aside from the things that trigger it, it can be difficult to prevent it. 2015;4:13240-13247. Therefore, wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. What causes these skin changes during pregnancy? Heat can trigger melasma by causing the blood vessels in the skin to dilate and send signals to create pigmentation. Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Are darkened spots on skin during pregnancy ever a sign of illness? Too much screen time? If you experience these signs or develop severe irritation, you may be dealing with another condition. Don't expect instant results it may take many months to see improvement. ), 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. 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. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. It depends on the person and the medication used. 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. Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. In addition to topical treatments and oral medication, Dr. Belkin recommends going that route, with a couple of caveats. 6.4 EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. Medications that may cause or worsen melasma. Ask them questions and voice your concerns. 1. 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. Barsh G. What Controls Variation in Skin Color? (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.). Hyperpigmentation results when the skin produces excess melanin. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Malar pattern . 5 Tips to Prevent Constipation During Pregnancy, How to Cope With Anxiety During Pregnancy, A Complete Guide to Pregnancy-Safe Skincare, Breastfeeding Safe SkincareWhat to Use and Avoid When Nursing Your Baby, The 11 Best Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products Dermatologists Love. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. Melasma may start at any point in your pregnancy, though it most commonly begins in the second or third trimester. A dermatologist will be able to perform treatments that your usual healthcare provider may not be able to. Melasma appears most commonly on your cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip and the forehead. Melasma can occur at any point in a pregnancy, although it typically develops during the second or third trimester. I use a variety of modalities to treat this conditionspecific topicals and chemical peels, she shares. It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. Epidermal melasma resides in the surface of the skin. 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. Birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all help trigger melasma. You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. 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. And some treatment methods may not be safe or effective to use when pregnant. Skin care products that irritate your skin. That said, it may take time possibly months for it to completely fade without any targeted treatment. LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet. Swap out face washes, lotions or creams that contain fragrances or coloring. Melasma appears slowly, and the spots are usually larger than those from sun damage or age. Melasma is thought to be primarily related to; external sun exposure, external hormones like birth control pills, and internal hormonal changes during pregnancy. You may notice dark patches or splotches on your forehead, cheeks, chin, or around your mouth. While pregnancy is a primary cause of melasma, eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of sleep can prevent hormonal imbalances or vitamin deficiencies that arent pregnancy-related. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. Kalayc M. Pregnancy mask: melasma. You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. Anderson Cancer Center. Use the treatment and management advice from your dermatologist or another healthcare provider. Shell also sometimes prescribe oral medication to slow down the rate of re-pigmentation and rebounding. Match the foundation to your skin tone, but use a concealer thats a shade lighter. 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. 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. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. 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. 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. Melasma usually fades after a few months. Changes in skin pigmentation due to melasma usually disappear on their own after delivery. Cut down on screen time in front of your LED screen television, tablet, mobile phone and computer. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or other physical blockers (mineral sunscreens) versus those that rely on chemical blockers. 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. When melasma occurs during pregnancy, it is also called chloasma, or "the mask of pregnancy."Pregnant women experience increased estrogen, progesterone, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) levels during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. 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. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Make-up labeled as non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic is less likely to irritate skin and worsen melasma. 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. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. (2020). Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone. 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. 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. Accessed 7/23/2020. American Academy of Family Physicians. PLoS Biol. 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. It doesnt itch or hurt, and it doesnt become malignant. This frittata is high in protein and rich in essential nutrients your body needs to support a growing baby. Careful sun protection is key. You can help make your sun protection efforts even more effective if you wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a hat, and sunglasses, and limit your time in the sun, especially between its peak hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. How much youre out in the sun or even the time of year when youre pregnant may also affect when you first notice it. 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. 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. After all, as it progresses, it gets more difficult to treat. In rare circumstances, specifically, when its harder to make a clear diagnosis, a small biopsy may be performed to be sure the discoloration isnt indicative of another skin condition, like melanoma, the scientific word for skin cancer. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone.