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. Other possible causes of melasma include: Melasma causes light brown, dark brown, and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots on your skin. Hair changes with pregnancy. 2015;4:13240-13247. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. American Academy of Dermatology. Sometimes melasma will return and needs further treatment. It is supremely sensitive to the sun, worsening with relatively minimal exposure, cautions Dr. Belkin. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. 6.4 EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. Hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. Melasma is harmless. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. Look for products that say fragrance-free, for sensitive skin, or non-comedogenic on the label. If you opt for a spa treatment during pregnancy, be sure to let your esthetician know that youre pregnant. Melasma McMinnville | MG Plastic Surgery It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. 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. Between 50% to 70% of all melasma cases are among those who are pregnant. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. 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. Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. Melanin is the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. If hyperpigmentation started in pregnancy or after birth control pills, or worsens in summer, that would suggest melasma, he says. How Many Types of Pregnancy Melasma Are There? Here are some of the most important things to know about melasma and how you can manage it during 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. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. If someone in your family has had melasma, youre more vulnerable to the condition. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Are the soaps Im using right now aggravating my melasma (come with a list if you need to)? Hyperpigmentation results when the skin produces excess melanin. 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 good news is that this hyperpigmentation likely wont get worse after you deliver your child. (Youre beautiful all the same.). We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. In response to light, heat, or ultraviolet radiation or by hormonal stimulation, the melanocytes produce more melanin, and thats why your skin darkens. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. The heart has to work harder during pregnancy to pump blood to both the mother and the growing fetus. Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. Melasma is harmless, physically, but can have an emotional impact. There are two main causes of melasma: radiation, whether ultraviolet, visible light, or infrared (heat) light; and hormones. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. They can look similar! Melasma Signs, Causes, Treatment, and Cure - MedicineNet Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. As mentioned, pregnancy melasma is a skin condition thats pervasive among pregnant people. When Might Melasma Develop During Pregnancy? 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. Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. Melasma appears slowly, and the spots are usually larger than those from sun damage or age. 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. 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. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. A topical treatment isnt your only option. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. The agents listed above rarely eradicate all of the melasma. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of themduring their reproductive years, when theyre 20 to 40 years old. Be sure that youre rounding out your diet by consuming supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. When your skin heals from the treatment, it may cause even more discoloration. Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by clinical examination and questionnaire on 400 pregnant women. This frittata is high in protein and rich in essential nutrients your body needs to support a growing baby. Breastfeeding Safe Skincare: What to Avoid & Use on Skin Goodarzi A, et al. Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment (2020). It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. 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. Melasma: Causes - American Academy of Dermatology This discoloration is usually symmetrical and is most common on the cheeks and nose, but its also found on the forehead and upper lip. She served as Chief Resident at one of the nations top dermatology programs The University of Texas at Houston and M.D. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. Read our. 2011;57(6):665-667. Pregnancy Melasma (Pregnancy Mask): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. Skin conditions during pregnancy. (2020). Melasma is hard to treat. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. This doesnt mean you have to stay indoors when the sun is out, though. In pregnancy, its often referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.. That said, it may take time possibly months for it to completely fade without any targeted treatment. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: 6 Cheeks (both sides) Chin Forehead Bridge of nose Above the upper lip Jawline Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. But, keep in mind, once you experience this patchwork discoloration, youre more susceptible to it recurring if you become pregnant again. Not all laser therapies are ideal for treating discoloration. 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. 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. Choose a corrective foundation and concealer that are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and designed to cover hyperpigmentation. Melasma is a typically chronic disorder. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. 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. Learn more about this common pregnancy skin change that you may experience when you're expecting. 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. Sometimes, however, it persists. How to treat your pregnancy melasma - Today's Parent They include medications, makeup, and cosmetics that irritate your skin or make it more sensitive to sunlight, the blue light emitted from your devices, and underlying thyroid disease. Its impossible to prevent melasma with certainty, but there are ways to reduce your risk or minimize the appearance of your melasma. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If your hyperpigmentation is accompanied by consistent itching, irritation or discomfort, its important to note that these are not symptoms of melasma. Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. But you may be able to avoid the factors listed above which make melasma worse. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. Bonus: You can. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. Melasma: Causes, symptoms, pictures & treatment - Medical News Today Theyll use a Woods lamp (a black light) to see changes in the color of your skin. 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. 1st ed. Int J Womens Dermatol. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. Privacy Policy If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. Causes and Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy You may be able to prevent or minimize melasma by wearing a high-SPF sunscreen and a hat with a brim when you are in the sun. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all help trigger melasma. Your healthcare provider may test your thyroid. Melasma. Do I have melasma or another type of skin disorder? Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. 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. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. So easy and delicious. But you dont have to just live with it. There are treatment options. You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. 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. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. When you are outside, reapply sunscreen once every two hours. The best way to treat melasma is with a bleaching regimen such as hydroquinone. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Skin care products that irritate your skin. if not please suggest cream? Melasma is a common skin disorder. Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back, Dr. Belkin cautions. Melasma appears slowly over a period of weeks or months. At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. Policy. Chemical peels address discoloration by exfoliating the top layers of skin, allowing newer and more evenly toned skin cells to rise to the surface. Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. ), 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. There are also other tactics you can try. What Is Melasma (Pregnancy Mask)? Causes, Pictures You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. 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. After all, as it progresses, it gets more difficult to treat. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. And make sure youre getting the right treatment by confirming the diagnosis 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. 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.