But, it has to be gentle enough and done by an experienced board-certified dermatologist. This is because lasers can also exacerbate melasma, he explains. No. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. These are red, tender-to-the-touch, hard lumps in your breasts. 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. They can help you with management and treatment of your melasma. It doesnt affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications. 1st ed. American Academy of Family Physicians. It usually goes away after you give birth. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. 2021. Who is at risk of melasma? Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for more information. Sunlight: When sunlight hits our skin, it triggers the body to produce more melanin. 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. This discoloration is usually symmetrical and is most common on the cheeks and nose, but its also found on the forehead and upper lip. Your healthcare provider may administer the test. DermNet NZ; Science SourceA pregnancy mask may appear as dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin. The heart has to work harder during pregnancy to pump blood to both the mother and the growing fetus. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. If your hyperpigmentation is accompanied by consistent itching, irritation or discomfort, its important to note that these are not symptoms of melasma. Face washes, lotions, and serums that irritate your skin may make melasma worse. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist seeing patients in New York, N.Y. She practices various aspects of dermatology, including cosmetic treatments, laser, injectables, skin cancer screening, general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and body contouring. Where are the discolorations located on your body? Related: Skin color needs to be factored in when discussing skin diseases. Remember that it's likely to go away after giving birth. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Pregnancy. Melasma appears most often during the second or third trimester, as hormonal changes increase. ClinicalTrials.gov. Pregnancy melasma, also known as a " pregnancy mask," is an extremely common condition that causes skin hyperpigmentation (i.e. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. Treatment once you have finished breast- feeding can take the normal course, which normally begins with topical bleaching . I look for symmetry, since it would be unusual to have melasma only or much worse on one side of the face.. Chemical peels and lasers may cause the surface layers of skin to die, cause post-procedure hyperpigmentation, and cause hypertrophic scars. Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. All rights reserved. Milk, almond milk, and orange juice can help too. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Other people may have melasma for just a short time, such as during pregnancy. 2003 Oct;1(1): e27. Skin conditions during pregnancy. Pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure, medication side effects, genetics, age, inflammation, and skin injuries can all lead to different types of skin discoloration. Your skin is made up of three layers. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Fortunately, chloasma generally fades within a few months after giving birth. 2019. Melasma usually fades after a few months. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. Melasma may start at any point in your pregnancy, though it most commonly begins in the second or third trimester. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. Skin care products that irritate your skin. Coll Antropol. Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen. Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. One reason is that it may resolve on its own. It depends on the person and the medication used. (Other hormonal alterations, such as birth control medication and hormonal replacement therapy can also trigger melasma in nonpregnant people.). If youre exercising, try avoiding peak sun hours in your area, generally the middle of the day. These discolorations are flat, clustered, asymmetrical splotches. When this increases the amount of melanin produced also increases creating patches of darkened skin. . But you may be able to avoid the factors listed above which make melasma worse. Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. This frittata is high in protein and rich in essential nutrients your body needs to support a growing baby. During pregnancy, the body goes through significant hormonal changes. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen as needed. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. You may notice your nipples/areolas, armpits, or genitals become darker. LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet. beneath the breasts during late pregnancy. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. Malar pattern . Vitamin D helps keep your skin healthy in general. Melasma is harmless. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. Not all laser therapies are ideal for treating discoloration. Swap out face washes, lotions or creams that contain fragrances or coloring. There are dermatologists who can help you. 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. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. As youve likely already inferred from its alternate moniker, becoming pregnant puts you at a higher risk of developing pregnancy melasma. Pregnancy is not the only cause of melasma. The best way to treat melasma is with a bleaching regimen such as hydroquinone. Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. Freckles or scars, and dark skin around nipples and genitals may become even darker than usual during pregnancy. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). 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. Avoid exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. 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. Melasma is a typically chronic disorder. 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. Melasma is harmless, physically, but can have an emotional impact. Theyre also commonly mistaken for freckles or age spots, however, those tend to be smaller. Causes of melasma in pregnancy Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. Melasma appears slowly over a period of weeks or months. Learn more about this common pregnancy skin change that you may experience when you're expecting. 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. Some experts dont recommend treating melasma during pregnancy. The side effects of melasma treatments aren't entirely understood, and treatments may not be safe for you to use while you're pregnant. With that being said, most people with melasma dont require treatmentits a personal choice. However, there are skin cancers that may mimic melasma, so seeing your dermatologist is often recommended to confirm the correct diagnosis. Skin Conditions During Pregnancy | ACOG Skin Conditions During Pregnancy Frequently Asked Questions Common Skin Changes Expand All What are some of the common skin changes that happen during pregnancy? Melasma. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Melasma can present with blotches or frecklesusually on the facethat are darker than the rest of your skin tone. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. 6.1 Neutrogena vitamin C complex serum. A biopsy is quick, safe procedure routinely performed during a normal visit to your healthcare providers office. Dr. Geddes-Bruce is fellowship-trained in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. Between 50% to 70% of all melasma cases are among those who are pregnant. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. 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. Treatments for melasma include topical creams, chemical peels, as well as gentle skin resurfacing procedures. Regrettably, you cant avoid genetics, or stop the skin condition when youre pregnant. It is not visible under blacklight and is much more challenging to treat. To tell the difference between skin conditions, your healthcare provider may perform a biopsy, which is where a small piece of your skin is removed and examined. 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. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. 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. Products that irritate the skin can make melasma worse. All rights reserved. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. Melasma is typically a chronic disorder. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Stretch marks are easier to prevent than erase. However, it is not likely to go away while youre pregnant or taking hormone contraceptives. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. It may take several months for your hormones to balance and skin pigmentation to fade. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. If you feel that its negatively impacting your life, or you have any other concerns, try not to suffer in silence. What Is Pregnancy Melasma? 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. Fractional lasers are commonly used for treating melasma. "Hydroquinone does not get absorbed systemically". Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. There's no proven link between. These hormones are thought to contribute to your melasma. Melasma will not harm your baby. Check out our article on safe skin care during pregnancy. Policy. NIH. Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. and the condition. Women commonly experience changes in the appearance of the skin during pregnancy, including: dark spots on the breasts, nipples and inner thighs melasma linea nigra stretch marks acne spider. 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. 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. 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. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. 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. However, a skin-friendly diet including adequate amounts of vitamin D is likely to help. 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. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. 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. Here are some of the most important things to know about melasma and how you can manage it during pregnancy: . You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. 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. In turn, the addition of vitamin C serum to skincare routines helps fight free radical damage, brightens the skin, and improves skin tone. Don't expect instant results it may take many months to see improvement. I use a variety of modalities to treat this conditionspecific topicals and chemical peels, she shares. It's considered safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeidng. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by clinical examination and questionnaire on 400 pregnant women. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. Estrogen and progesterone, which are thought to trigger it, start building after 12 weeks and peak around 32 weeks. From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. 6.5 CeraVe Vitamin C Serum. It is very common in pregnant people and tends to appear during the second or third trimester. There are a few tricks you can try to minimize melasma, including the following: Exposure to the sun will make your pregnancy mask more pronounced. Your epidermis contains cells called melanocytes that store and produce a dark color (pigment) known as melanin. Chemical peels address discoloration by exfoliating the top layers of skin, allowing newer and more evenly toned skin cells to rise to the surface. It protects your bones, muscles, organs and everything else from the cold, from germs, sunshine, moisture, toxic substances, injury and more. They can look similar! It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. 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. Why Does Pregnancy Make My Lips and Skin So Dry? While there are no specific studies on these methods for chloasma, the following topical treatments may help: Since melasma may also be the result of hormonal imbalances, you may improve matters by giving yourself some much-needed TLC. 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. Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. What's more, skin that's already more pigmented such as your nipples, freckles, scars, and the skin of your genitals may become even darker during pregnancy. Sun exposure plays a role too. Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. The same goes for makeup you may use to conceal the dark areas. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Look for products that say fragrance-free, for sensitive skin, or non-comedogenic on the label. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. Melasma that is triggered by pregnancy can fade after you have given . When Might Melasma Develop During Pregnancy? Skin color needs to be factored in when discussing skin diseases, aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview, acog.org/womens-health/faqs/skin-conditions-during-pregnancy. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Cheeks . Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. Ask them questions and voice your concerns. 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. What medications and/or vitamins can I take to help heal my melasma? 2021. Bolanca I, Bolanca Z, Kuna K, Vukovi A, Tuckar N, Herman R, Grubisi G. Chloasmathe mask of pregnancy. Melasma is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy because it frequently affects pregnant women. If the skin changes are bothersome, consider another birth control option. Your belly gets larger and your blood volume increases as your baby grows. How can I prevent melasma from getting worse during pregnancy? Melasma is hard to treat. Melasma is usually flat. 5 How to Prevent Melasma. Melasma is so frequent in pregnant people that it's sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy." At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. Shell also sometimes prescribe oral medication to slow down the rate of re-pigmentation and rebounding. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. We'll tell you if it's safe. Women with darker complexions are more likely to have melasma than women with lighter skin. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. Head out early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is low. Many women notice their hair becomes thicker during pregnancy. If youre using concealer or foundation to cover your melasma, choose products developed for sensitive skin. Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Melasma is more common during pregnancy, affecting 15% to 50% of pregnant people. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully. Look for noncomedogenic or hypoallergenic foundations, concealers, powders, and other products. Topical therapy using tyrosinase inhibitors prevents new pigment formations by stopping the formation of melanin (the dark color). U.S. National Library of Medicine. Estrogen coupled with blood vessel growth, sun exposure, genetics, and hormones deposit pigment in the skin. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. Lasers, which can be irritating especially during pregnancy, are no-nos too. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. 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.