3) Removing the melanin already present in the surface of the skin. Exposure to the sun can make melasma worse. You may notice dark patches or splotches on your forehead, cheeks, chin, or around your mouth. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. 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. Hyperpigmentation results when the skin produces excess melanin. There are preventative measures you can take. It usually develops in one or more of these areas: Melasma can also develop on your arms or neck, though it's less common. In rare circumstances, specifically, when its harder to make a clear diagnosis, a small biopsy may be performed to be sure the discoloration isnt indicative of another skin condition, like melanoma, the scientific word for skin cancer. Plus, you cant change your genetics. Nearly 50 to 70% of pregnant women show signs of a " mask of pregnancy". Avoid exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. This discoloration is usually symmetrical and is most common on the cheeks and nose, but its also found on the forehead and upper lip. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. 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. The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen as needed. Hormones (including hormonal medications). 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. This seems to explain why melasma develops on skin that gets the most sunlight like skin on the face, neck, and arms. The three types are: Melasma is not cancerous, a sign of cancer, or a skin condition that turns into cancer. This doesnt mean you have to stay indoors when the sun is out, though. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. Make a good concealer your best friend. Why do dark spots and patches appear on the skin during pregnancy? ; Telogen effluvium post-delivery is a compensatory decease in hair growth and shedding of hair. If youre using concealer or foundation to cover your melasma, choose products developed for sensitive skin. Is it sunlight? Its often called the mask of pregnancy. Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. Experts think that increases in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may trigger melasma. Exposure to sunlight can make it more noticeable. In addition, melasma can make skin that is already darker even more so. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant? Light-based procedures like intense pulsed light, non-ablative fractionated lasers and low fluence Q-switched lasers. Are you interested in prescriptions that may improve your melasma? Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. Between 50% to 70% of all melasma cases are among those who are pregnant. It usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. (We know, weve felt that knee-jerk instinct at times, too.) Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. 2021. However, there are skin cancers that may mimic melasma, so seeing your dermatologist is often recommended to confirm the correct diagnosis. 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 largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of them 1 during their reproductive years, when they're 20 to 40 years old. Int J Womens Dermatol. Between 1.5% and 33% of the population may get melasma and it happens more often during a womans reproductive years, and rarely happens during puberty. Laser is a great option, he shares. Melasma: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melasma-management [Accessed September 2020]. There are also some procedures including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other light therapies that may work. Melasma is a skin condition that causes grayish-brown patches to appear, mostly on the face. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Dermal melasma is light brown or bluish, with blurred borders. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Most treatments take time to work, so the spots will fade gradually. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. 2. Accessed 7/23/2020. Melasma is so frequent in pregnant people that it's sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy." Pregnant women get melasma more often than anyone else. Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. Not all laser therapies are ideal for treating discoloration. Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter. 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. Were explaining why this occurs, below. People taking hormonal birth control - say you start taking the Pill again after you give birth - can also get melasma. We even asked a couple of board-certified dermatologists to weigh in. Estrogen and progesterone, which are thought to trigger it, start building after 12 weeks and peak around 32 weeks. You can live melasma-free with the right combination of treatments. Discover what they are here. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. "Hydroquinone does not get absorbed systemically". 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. and the condition. However, it can make people self-conscious about their appearance. Non-pregnancy related hormonal changes like oral contraceptives may also cause skin hyperpigmentation. If you have dark skin, seek a provider who is experienced in laser treatment for people of color. Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. 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. Hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis. DermNet NZ; Science SourceA pregnancy mask may appear as dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin. Some people may feel embarrassed to allow others to see their skin condition. It doesnt itch or hurt, and it doesnt become malignant. When you are outside, reapply sunscreen once every two hours. The worse it gets, the harder it will be for treatments to work. What is known is that there is a genetic component in the development of melasma. This can occur when youre pregnant due to an increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. You may need to use different topicals or chemical peels to help get rid of stubborn pigment. They can be safely used with topical medications, but only by specialists who have experience treating melasma. In turn, the addition of vitamin C serum to skincare routines helps fight free radical damage, brightens the skin, and improves skin tone. Vitamin D helps keep your skin healthy in general. What are stretch marks? Face washes, lotions, and serums that irritate your skin may make melasma worse. These are red, tender-to-the-touch, hard lumps in your breasts. Melasma can sometimes be mistaken for another skin condition. UV light exposure only makes hyperpigmentation worse by further darkening skin. Melasma appears most commonly on your cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip and the forehead. Pregnancy: An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occurs during pregnancy, is thought to trigger melasma. Products that irritate the skin can make melasma worse. Melasma that arises during pregnancy may go away on its own, but it wont happen overnight. Then apply your foundation to the rest of your face, avoiding the patches. Sometimes, however, it persists. Commonly affected areas include your face, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms. First, apply the concealer to the patchy spots. Your healthcare provider might test your vitamin D levels to make sure that youre getting enough of it from high vitamin D foods such as meat, cereals, oily fish and eggs. Do I have melasma or another type of skin disorder? Treatments for melasma include topical creams, chemical peels, as well as gentle skin resurfacing procedures. We avoid using tertiary references. Eat a variety of healthy, whole foods, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. Is there a specific sunscreen you recommend? At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment. Some experts dont recommend treating melasma during pregnancy. 6 Treatment of Melasma during pregnancy. During your pregnancy, avoid spending too much time in the sun. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Ask them questions and voice your concerns. Hydroquinone is a prescription product to lighten skin or reduce skin pigmentation that occurs from melasma and chloasma, which can be brought on by pregnancy. 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. Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully. 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. (Typically only 2 messages sent per month. Heat can trigger melasma by causing the blood vessels in the skin to dilate and send signals to create pigmentation. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. 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. Can i use 2% hydro quinine during pregnancy for melasma. Your. We'll tell you what to avoid and some good, Skin tags are common during pregnancy and can be painful. Heres more about this condition, why it crops up in pregnancy, and how you can treat it safely. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. Sun exposure triggers melanin production, and pregnancy makes the skin more sensitive and more prone to melanin production. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out whats possibly causing the melasma. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Accessed 7/23/2020. 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. Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment. 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. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. This may . Its always best to speak with your healthcare provider. Pregnancy comes with a host of emotions and physical changes. 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. 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. The primary symptom of chloasma is darkening of the skin on the face. Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. In the third trimester, the proportion of hair follicles retained in the anagen (growing) phase increases. Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. It's typically diagnosed after an individual develops multiple pregnancies at once. If other treatments haven't helped, a dermatologist can lighten dark spots with laser treatments, but that's not the first option. Some of the skin conditions you may notice, such as stretch marks and melasma (dark spots and patches), are caused by pregnancy, and will fade over the next few months. Are any of my current medications causing or worsening my melasma? Melasma is common during pregnancy, as it is believed to be caused by increased levels of oestrogen in the blood. Read our, Why Does Melasma Develop During Pregnancy. That said, prescribing instructions note that it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Match the foundation to your skin tone, but use a concealer thats a shade lighter. See your healthcare provider if you have concerns about another type of skin disorder. 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. Accessed 7/23/20. And dont forget a stylish pair of sunglasses the bigger the better. A topical treatment isnt your only option. 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. 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. Melasma is harmless, physically, but can have an emotional impact. Fractional lasers are commonly used for treating melasma. Therapeutic options. 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. If it bothers you, Dr. Belkin recommends using a tinted sunscreen to help, well, mask your pregnancy mask.. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. 2019. Chloasma: The mask of pregnancy. 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. 6.7 AOBBIY Hyperpigment Remover. After all, as it progresses, it gets more difficult to treat. Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Applying this powerful antioxidant to your skin can help brighten melasma while providing other anti-aging benefits, like increased collegen production. Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. Yes, it's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Youll be glowing again before you know it! The first thing you need to do to treat your melasma is to make sure that it doesnt get any worse. 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. Primary symptoms include darkening patches of skin on the face, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, nose and upper lip. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Lasers, which can be irritating especially during pregnancy, are no-nos too. But, keep in mind, once you experience this patchwork discoloration, youre more susceptible to it recurring if you become pregnant again. You may be referred to a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Kalayc M. Pregnancy mask: melasma. This is because radiation from ultraviolet rays acts as a catalyst for melanin production. While pregnant, be careful to only use topical and oral treatments that are approved for pregnant women. 2017;3(1):11-20. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.01.004. These steps may prevent your melasma from getting worse. Pregnant women have increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Are darkened spots on skin during pregnancy ever a sign of illness? In pregnant people, melasma often goes away on its own within a few months after giving birth. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. If the skin changes are bothersome, consider another birth control option. Pregnancy. Melasma is more common during pregnancy, affecting 15% to 50% of pregnant people. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. If it doesnt, pursue treatment options with your healthcare provider. Too much screen time? Melasma will not harm your baby. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. When your skin heals from the treatment, it may cause even more discoloration. Melanin in the basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. It is not visible under blacklight and is much more challenging to treat. A Woods lamp that emits black light may be used to determine the depth of the pigment. How much youre out in the sun or even the time of year when youre pregnant may also affect when you first notice it. I use a variety of modalities to treat this conditionspecific topicals and chemical peels, she shares. Other agents that are being studied to improve melasma include: Dermatitis is a side effect of hydroquinone and tretinoin. It sometimes affects your arms, neck and back. You may also develop dark patches on your cheeks, along your jawline, or on your forearms and other parts of your body that are exposed to the sun. There are several topical, procedural, and oral therapies to manage melasma during pregnancy. 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. Why Does Pregnancy Make My Lips and Skin So Dry? A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Returns The following are common melasma triggers: In addition to the above, genetics play a crucial role. This increased workload can cause shortness of breath and fatigue, and it is essential to take breaks and rest when needed. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. 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. These hormones are thought to contribute to your melasma. The linea nigra will probably fade back to its pre-pregnancy color several months after you deliver your baby, but may not completely disappear. 1. And make sure youre getting the right treatment by confirming the diagnosis with your healthcare provider. 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. Signs of melasma during pregnancy Melasma occurs most often on the face as brown or grayish-brown patches that sometimes look blotchy. Does pregnancy melanoma go away on its own? You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. Hormonal changes: The extra estrogen and progesterone your body makes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. Melasma appears slowly over a period of weeks or months. Yes. Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. Melasma usually fades after a few months. Study of Influence of Blue Light Emitted by Computer/Television Screens on Melasma. Don't expect instant results it may take many months to see improvement. Here are ways of reducing melasma on the face during pregnancy: 1. 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. The darker color usually fades after pregnancy. Trivedi MK, Yang FC, Cho BK. This also tends to happen in areas where friction is common, such as your underarms and inner thighs. Although its a benign condition that doesnt cause any pain or discomfort, its appearance can negatively impact your confidence and self-esteem. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. Learn more about. 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. During pregnancy, melasma usually appears on the face as patchy or spotted areas of skin that are tan, brown, or sometimes blue-gray. She works full-time as a senior content manager at a multinational digital agency. Other people may have melasma for just a short time, such as during pregnancy. Spots of melasma can sometimes be mistaken for freckles but they are not the same skin condition. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Melasma is not dangerous or cancerous, but it may affect how you feel about your appearance. Your skin color and type may make this condition more or less noticeable. It doesn't affect your baby in any way or indicate any other pregnancy complications. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. The association between melasma and iron profile: A case-control study. 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. Choose a method of birth control that doesnt include hormones. What medications and/or vitamins can I take to help heal my melasma? The side effects of melasma treatments aren't entirely understood, and treatments may not be safe for you to use while you're pregnant. It's unlikely that a healthcare provider will recommend treatment, as melasma often goes away on its own a few months after giving birth. Your healthcare provider may administer the test. 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. Hello. 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. Can Fam Physician. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Is Pregnancy Melasma? 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. Aside from pregnancy hormones, the suns UV rays, and genetics, there are other potential sparks that light the fire of melasma. 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. Melasma is a common skin disorder. Bonus: You can. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy, Utilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017, Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Your belly gets larger and your blood volume increases as your baby grows. What makes breast cancer come back? Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. It largely affects people who were assigned female at birtha whopping 90% of themduring their reproductive years, when theyre 20 to 40 years old. Your melasma is likely to go away when youre no longer pregnant. 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. 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. There are some procedures that your dermatologist can do to improve your melasma. Melasma is a skin disorder where the melanocytes (color-producing cells) in your skin produce extra pigment for some reason. Malar pattern . It might be appropriate for you to use a different medication to avoid the side effects. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. Policy. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. This common condition occurs in 50-70% of pregnant women. 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. LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Physical blocking sunscreens tend to offer broader protection and may be less irritating to the skin. They can help you with management and treatment of your melasma. American Academy of Family Physicians. Melasma is a skin condition in which some skin cells become darker. All rights reserved. Look for noncomedogenic or hypoallergenic foundations, concealers, powders, and other products. You may see a line ( linea. Last medically reviewed on April 30, 2021. Some studies link melasma to deficiency in iron and possibly vitamin B12. Melasma can develop at any time during your pregnancy, however. There are also other tactics you can try. There's no proven link between. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Although this disorder is completely harmless, it understandably makes some people feel self-conscious. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. Spontaneous recovery back to pre-pregnancy levels usually occurs within 6-12 months. It depends on the person and the medication used. As mentioned, pregnancy melasma is a skin condition thats pervasive among pregnant people. Melasma will likely fade within three months after youre no longer pregnant. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). 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. AAD. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. That said, it may take time possibly months for it to completely fade without any targeted treatment. 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. Melasma can potentially be prevented by always wearing sunscreen and a hat while in the sun. Is Any Acne Treatment Safe to Use During Pregnancy? Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. 1 But certain conditions, like postpartum acne and dry skin, may be caused by the hormonal changes that happen during breastfeeding. Are you interested in procedures that may improve your melasma? Azelaic cream, lotion, or gel can sting. 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. 2019 Jun;45(6):818-828. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912. While not being harmful to the health of either mother or child, pregnancy melasma can be a source of embarrassment for some expecting mothers. 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. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. 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.