Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. It takes a month or two to work, and it may cause burning, stinging, itching or tingling. Pregnancy melasma is a pretty straightforward skin condition. NIH. Dendritic (branched) pigmented melanocytes. There are dermatologists who can help you. 2008;32(Suppl 2):139-141. 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. Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. Other people may have melasma for just a short time, such as during pregnancy. 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. 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. Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. See a board-certified dermatologist to figure out the best and safest option for your skin. It is not visible under blacklight and is much more challenging to treat. UV light exposure only makes hyperpigmentation worse by further darkening skin. Learn more about this common pregnancy skin change that you may experience when you're expecting. 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. It is supremely sensitive to the sun, worsening with relatively minimal exposure, cautions Dr. Belkin. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. AAD. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. ClinicalTrials.gov. Fractional lasers are commonly used for treating melasma. If you have melasma, your freckles and moles may also look darker, there's probably a dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra) and your areolas could be a deeper shade. 2020. Pregnancy melasma, and melasma in general, fall into three categories based on how deep into the skin the dark spots are: epidermal, dermal, and mixed. In fact, taking these precautions has been shown to lower your chance of getting melasma at any time in your life by 50%, and slashing your risk of pregnancy melasma by a whopping 90%. Is it normal to have melasma during pregnancy? That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. 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. Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. In pregnancy, it's often referred to as chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy.". Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). Melasma appears in six locations or a combination of locations on your skin: Your healthcare provider will decide for sure if you have melasma or another type of skin disorder. To start treatment, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you see signs of melasma. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the stomach, hips, breasts, and thighs. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. Chloasma may also be worsened by hormonal imbalances that may have been present even before pregnancy. People with more pigment in their skin for example, those of African, North African, Middle Eastern, Latin or Hispanic, Asian, Indian, or Mediterranean descent are more likely to develop chloasma, as they naturally have more active melanin production. Match the foundation to your skin tone, but use a concealer thats a shade lighter. Some melasma treatments are safe to begin during pregnancy. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Medications that may cause or worsen melasma. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. If youre susceptible to pregnancy melasma, unprotected sun exposure can worsen it. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. 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. Melasma may start at any point in your pregnancy, though it most commonly begins in the second or third trimester. 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. Melasma is hard to treat. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. ; Telogen effluvium post-delivery is a compensatory decease in hair growth and shedding of hair. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. . They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. If youre exercising, try avoiding peak sun hours in your area, generally the middle of the day. If your melasma doesn't go away after you have your baby, you can discuss melasma treatment with your provider. beneath the breasts during late pregnancy. The outer layer is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis, and the deepest layer is the subcutis. What about the face? Report all side effects to your healthcare provider. You could also take a vitamin D supplement. For more brightening oomph, they may recommend exfoliating treatments, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels, which slough away dead skin cells to promote skin rejuvenation. 1st ed. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. Bolanca I, Bolanca Z, Kuna K, Vukovi A, Tuckar N, Herman R, Grubisi G. Chloasmathe mask of pregnancy. Anderson Cancer Center. When you are pregnant, your body shows several changes. This can be a trigger for 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. In the meantime, take good care of your skin and talk to your healthcare provider about possible pregnancy-safe treatments if the spots are really bothering you. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. What medications and/or vitamins can I take to help heal my melasma? Another option for sun cover is clothing with or without UV protection, such as SPF rash guards or sun protective clothing. Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. 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. 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. Your soap? Many compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones. They can look similar! The heart has to work harder during pregnancy to pump blood to both the mother and the growing fetus. 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. Hello. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Melasma is so frequent in pregnant people that it's sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy." Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. 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. This doesnt mean you have to stay indoors when the sun is out, though. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Pain, itchiness, or soreness are not symptoms of melasma. This may . Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. In response to light, heat, or ultraviolet radiation or by hormonal stimulation, the melanocytes produce more melanin, and thats why your skin darkens. 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. Another exfoliation option would be to have a laser skin resurfacing treatment. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=169&itemtype=document), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/pigment-disorders/melasma#:~:text=Melasma%20is%20dark%20brown%20patches,an%20examination%20of%20the%20skin. Your dermatologist or other healthcare provider will examine your skin to diagnose melasma. Melasma (chloasma or mask of pregnancy) may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy ( Figure 2). The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. Policy. Read on to learn about what causes melasma during pregnancy and how to treat it. When Might Melasma Develop 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. Int J Womens Dermatol. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. A topical treatment isnt your only option. The following are common melasma triggers: In addition to the above, genetics play a crucial role. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. Make a mask with cooked oatmeal and honey, leave it on skin for about 10 min and wash it. All rights reserved. PMID: 30998530. Yes. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. 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. What makes breast cancer come back? ), (https://dermnetnz.org/topics/drug-induced-photosensitivity/), (https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview), (https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/appendix-12/), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279255/#:~:text=What%20does%20skin%20do%3F,as%20germs%20and%20toxic%20substances. As youve likely already inferred from its alternate moniker, becoming pregnant puts you at a higher risk of developing pregnancy melasma. She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs. Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter.