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Melasma is a highly common skin conditionand the majority of cases are among pregnant people. 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. American Academy of Family Physicians. ClinicalTrials.gov. This pregnancy-friendly spin on traditional chili is packed with the nutrients your body needs when you're expecting. Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. Can Fam Physician. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects. 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. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. Therapeutic options. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. She works full-time as a senior content manager at a multinational digital agency. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. Is there a history of melasma in your family? Signs of melasma during pregnancy Melasma occurs most often on the face as brown or grayish-brown patches that sometimes look blotchy. Pregnancy. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. It's considered safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeidng. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. If the spots don't fade within a few months after having the baby, there are treatments to help fade them. Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter. In response to light, heat, or ultraviolet radiation or by hormonal stimulation, the melanocytes produce more melanin, and thats why your skin darkens. There are two main causes of melasma: radiation, whether ultraviolet, visible light, or infrared (heat) light; and hormones. In pregnant people, melasma often goes away on its own within a few months after giving birth. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. Its an organ the largest organ and it makes up about one-seventh of your body weight. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. 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. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Hyperpigmentation results when the skin produces excess melanin. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. 2 Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Melasma is a typically chronic disorder. 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. 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. 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. 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. It depends on the person and the medication used. Examples of tyrosinase inhibitors and other types of helpful agents include: The combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a moderate topical steroid has had the best effect on melasma. If someone in your family has had melasma, youre more vulnerable to the condition. 2015;4:13240-13247. 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. It doesn't affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications. By Nancy LeBrun Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. Commonly affected areas include your face, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms. Treatment of Melasma During Pregnancy. 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. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". Another, less common name for melasma, is chloasma. An Bras Dermatol. When this increases the amount of melanin produced also increases creating patches of darkened skin. There are also some procedures including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other light therapies that may work. The best way to treat melasma is with a bleaching regimen such as hydroquinone. Around 33% to 50% of people with the condition have a family member with iteven a majority of identical twins share melasma. Mix a solution of a half of fresh lemon juice and half of cucumber juice or water to lighten top . Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. . Other agents that are being studied to improve melasma include: Dermatitis is a side effect of hydroquinone and tretinoin. Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. Dealing with melasma during pregnancy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. In what stage of pregnancy does melasma occur? If youve noticed dark patches of skin on your face, you may have melasma. You may be able to lighten your melasma using ingredients from your pantry. If you take preventative measures and follow any treatments recommended by your healthcare provider, your melasma might disappear. 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. 3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. Those with a combination of ingredients that help using different pathways to diminish pigment.. 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. Some melasma treatments are safe to begin during pregnancy. I use a variety of modalities to treat this conditionspecific topicals and chemical peels, she shares. 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. Learn more aboutour editorial and medical review policies. 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. This common condition occurs in 50-70% of pregnant women. There are also other tactics you can try. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. Hormonal changes: The extra estrogen and progesterone your body makes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. But you may be able to avoid the factors listed above which make melasma worse. (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.). You may notice dark patches or splotches on your forehead, cheeks, chin, or around your mouth. You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. See your dermatologist in that instance. Laser is a great option, he shares. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. PLoS Biol. Its dark brown in color, has well-defined borders, glows under blacklight, and can respond well to treatment. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Other people may have melasma for just a short time, such as during pregnancy. 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. StatPearls: Melasma. Pregnancy melasma, also known as a " pregnancy mask," is an extremely common condition that causes skin hyperpigmentation (i.e. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? A few alternative remedies, like turmeric and aloe vera, have shown at least some success at improving melasma. Changes in hormones especially estrogen and progesterone is the main cause of melasma during pregnancy. Her go-to ingredients include vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root extract, as well as hydroquinone and glycolic acid. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Many women notice their hair becomes thicker during pregnancy. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. 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. 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. Use the treatment and management advice from your dermatologist or another healthcare provider. At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. Accessibility Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. How to understand chronic pain; Tools. It can be frustrating to deal with changes to your skin during pregnancy. Estimates vary, but up to 70% of pregnant people develop melasma. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. That said, there are skin cancers that look similar to melasma, so its important to see your dermatologist to get a definitive diagnosis. AAD. This frittata is high in protein and rich in essential nutrients your body needs to support a growing baby. Chemical peels address discoloration by exfoliating the top layers of skin, allowing newer and more evenly toned skin cells to rise to the surface. Are the soaps Im using right now aggravating my melasma (come with a list if you need to)? 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. Utilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017. Avoid exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. Your soap? Melasma. Look for noncomedogenic or hypoallergenic foundations, concealers, powders, and other products. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. Non-pregnancy related hormonal changes like oral contraceptives may also cause skin hyperpigmentation. Anderson Cancer Center. They usually fade in the first few months after . The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. 2. Melasma can return. When Might Melasma Develop During Pregnancy? Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. No. That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.