It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Between 50% to 70% of all melasma cases are among those who are pregnant. Ahead, were discussing everything you need to know about pregnancy melasma, including what it is, what causes it, and how you can both treat and help prevent it. Its dark brown in color, has well-defined borders, glows under blacklight, and can respond well to treatment. The most effective way to treat pregnancy melasma is to see your dermatologist as soon as you start to see its hallmark patchwork appear. 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 is typically hormonally-triggered, much more common in women, and often arising or worsening in pregnancy or with birth control pills. The surge in hormones you experience when youre pregnant makes your skin more susceptible to sunlight and other pregnancy melasma triggers. LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet. Many compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. Dr. Geddes-Bruce is fellowship-trained in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. 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. Many women notice their hair becomes thicker during pregnancy. 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. Melasma during pregnancy is very common. 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. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. Start at 2,000 International Units (IU) per day. Yes, its possible that your melasma will go away on its own within a few months. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis 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 Ali, S, Bali S, P S. Hormonal evaluation in females having melasma. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the stomach, hips, breasts, and thighs. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. 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. Exposure to the sun can make melasma worse. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. 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. Were explaining why this occurs, below. AAD. 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. 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. 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. These areas may get darker the more youre exposed to the sun or the further along you are in your pregnancy. Our. What Helps With Melasma During Pregnancy? Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. 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. By Nancy LeBrun Melasma is only a pigmentary concern, and does not affect the health of the mother or baby. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). if not please suggest cream? Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems. The primary symptom of chloasma is darkening of the skin on the face. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. Your soap? (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.). American Academy of Dermatology. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. Stretch marks are easier to prevent than erase. It sometimes affects your arms, neck and back. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. 6.3 Paula's Choice facial exfoliant. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Those with a combination of ingredients that help using different pathways to diminish pigment.. 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. Slather up with gentle products instead. Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. How to understand chronic pain; Tools. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. Exactly How to Treat the Skin Discoloration. So easy and delicious. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for more information. Here are some of the most important things to know about melasma and how you can manage it during pregnancy: . Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. DermNet NZ; Science SourceA pregnancy mask may appear as dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin. The good news: Pregnancy mask is usually temporary and fades after delivery or, in some cases, after you finish breastfeeding. (2008). You may be referred to a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate 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. 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. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Skin care products that irritate your skin. One reason is that it may resolve on its own. This is because radiation from ultraviolet rays acts as a catalyst for melanin production. When you are pregnant, your body shows several changes. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview [Accessed September 2020], UpToDate. If the skin changes are bothersome, consider another birth control option. 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. 5 How to Prevent Melasma. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. The outer layer is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis, and the deepest layer is the subcutis. Laser is a great option, he shares. 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. 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. Are darkened spots on skin during pregnancy ever a sign of illness? 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 is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy because it frequently affects pregnant women. Look for products that say fragrance-free, for sensitive skin, or non-comedogenic on the label. Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer pregnant. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. For many people, pregnancy melasma can improve after youre no longer pregnantonce your hormonal levels return to their normal, pre-pregnant levels. Are you interested in prescriptions that may improve your melasma? Pregnancy comes with a host of emotions and physical changes. Your skin is your barricade. Use sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to ward off the harmful effects of sun exposure. What medications and/or vitamins can I take to help heal my melasma? There are three types of melasma and they have to do with the depth of the pigment. Chloasma may also be worsened by hormonal imbalances that may have been present even before pregnancy. Dermal melasma is light brown or bluish, with blurred borders. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). However, there are skin cancers that may mimic melasma, so seeing your dermatologist is often recommended to confirm the correct diagnosis. Dr. Belkin says his pregnancy melasma diagnoses center around the timing of its appearance and its placement. Your belly gets larger and your blood volume increases as your baby grows. Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. Some topical products we have found safe to use during pregnancy are Vitamin-C, Azelaic Acid, Lytera 2.0, and physical sunscreen. Wide brimmed hats are your best friend. Around 33% to 50% of people with the condition have a family member with iteven a majority of identical twins share melasma. Accessibility You may notice dark patches or splotches on your forehead, cheeks, chin, or around your mouth. There are dermatologists who can help you. Some studies link melasma to deficiency in iron and possibly vitamin B12. 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. Make a mask with cooked oatmeal and honey, leave it on skin for about 10 min and wash it. Fairer-skinned people are less likely to be affected by melasma than those with darker brown skin or those who tan well. 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. American Academy of Family Physicians. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD is a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology.