What are stretch marks? A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions. Your hair and skin may also go through a transformation for the better or worse. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Dermal melasma is light brown or bluish, with blurred borders. Accessibility Dermatol Surg. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD is a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology. 2020. Wearing a good pregnancy-safe sunscreen with SPF 30+ is key. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs. Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. Int J Womens Dermatol. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. 2011;57(6):665-667. Thats why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months. 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. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Yes, but use cosmetics that include sunscreen and pay attention to any that may aggravate your melasma by irritating your skin. Melasma. Other agents that are being studied to improve melasma include: Dermatitis is a side effect of hydroquinone and tretinoin. Do I have melasma or another type of skin disorder? The condition occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 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. What skin solutions are off-limits during pregnancy? The same goes for makeup you may use to conceal the dark areas. Sometimes the patches can become red or inflamed. You may be referred to a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In addition to topical treatments and oral medication, Dr. Belkin recommends going that route, with a couple of caveats. Adding a skin condition like melasma to the mix can be frustrating, especially if it's making you self-conscious about your appearance. Another exfoliation option would be to have a laser skin resurfacing treatment. Chloasma may also be worsened by hormonal imbalances that may have been present even before pregnancy. Choose a method of birth control that doesnt include hormones. our editorial and medical review policies, dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra), Skin Darkening and Discoloration During Pregnancy. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Melasma during pregnancy is a skin condition in which melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, produce more pigment than usual. Melasma is common, normal and harmless, but it can be bothersome. American Academy of Family Physicians. 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. 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. Skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is very common. "Hydroquinone at 2-4% works miracles for women with a pregnancy mask," Dr. Zenovia shares. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Although its a benign condition that doesnt cause any pain or discomfort, its appearance can negatively impact your confidence and self-esteem. 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. A Woods lamp that emits black light may be used to determine the depth of the pigment. 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. In response to light, heat, or ultraviolet radiation or by hormonal stimulation, the melanocytes produce more melanin, and thats why your skin darkens. Youre also at a higher risk for it if you a have darker skin tone. 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. We'll tell you the best pregnancy-safe sunscreens so you and your, When you're expecting, pregnancy-safe skin care can help ensure the health of you and your baby. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure if you have pregnancy melasma. Occasionally, you might get it on the chest or arms, but that's unusual. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. Hyperpigmentation results when the skin produces excess melanin. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Look for noncomedogenic or hypoallergenic foundations, concealers, powders, and other products. Our. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. Learn about special offers, current clinical research studies, and more. Melasma usually fades after a few months. Cat is a linguistic alchemist and expert wordsmith who has written and edited for some of the world's biggest brands. Again, there are a variety of factors at play when it comes to darkening pigment. Her favorite pastimes include experimenting with new foods, libations, and restaurants, as well as traveling the world with her two college-age children, husband, extended family, and friends. You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out whats possibly causing the melasma. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Melanin in the dermis within melanophages. Yes. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Match the foundation to your skin tone, but use a concealer thats a shade lighter. 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. 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. This may . Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter. 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. You may experience cramping, morning sickness, and all sorts of unfamiliar aches and pains. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. 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. Lasers, which can be irritating especially during pregnancy, are no-nos too. You can also try other camouflaging makeup and skincare products, like concealers, full-coverage foundation, and skin-brightening products. Kalayc M. Pregnancy Mask: Melasma. By Cat Matta Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment. She works full-time as a senior content manager at a multinational digital agency. 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. Mix a solution of a half of fresh lemon juice and half of cucumber juice or water to lighten top . Your dermatologist or other healthcare provider will examine your skin to diagnose melasma. There are various lifestyle changes you can try to prevent the condition from progressing during pregnancy. Can I Use Vitamin C in Skincare While Pregnant? However, a skin-friendly diet including adequate amounts of vitamin D is likely to help. Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure, medication side effects, genetics, age, inflammation, and skin injuries can all lead to different types of skin discoloration. Women are more likely to get melasma than men: about 10% of those who get melasma are men, 90% women. It fades slowly, so it could take a few months. The three types are: Melasma is not cancerous, a sign of cancer, or a skin condition that turns into cancer. There are three main methods of treatment for melasma: 1) Slowing down or stopping the creation of the pigment melanin. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. Other people may have melasma for just a short time, such as during pregnancy. . Melasma is a very common skin disorder, especially among pregnant women. Overall, between 50 and 70 percent of people will develop some form of melasma during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 1st ed. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Melasma is a skin condition causing uneven, darkened areas or spots that look like freckles. And make sure youre getting the right treatment by confirming the diagnosis with your healthcare provider. Results: The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-19.4]. For many people, pregnancy melasma can improve after youre no longer pregnantonce your hormonal levels return to their normal, pre-pregnant levels. However, she particularly enjoys the medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health, and beauty realms. 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. However, you can take certain precautions to lower your risk of developing it while pregnant or otherwise. 6.2 Eucerin Anti-Pigment Reducer Night Cream. darkening), especially among people who are pregnant. 6.5 CeraVe Vitamin C Serum. That said, it may take time possibly months for it to completely fade without any targeted treatment. Ask them questions and voice your concerns. The mechanism that causes Melasma is not well understood, but there is a strong correlation between hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, ovarian cysts, etc. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. While not being harmful to the health of either mother or child, pregnancy melasma can be a source of embarrassment for some expecting mothers. If you have dark skin, seek a provider who is experienced in laser treatment for people of color. Youre also at risk if you take oral contraceptives and hormones. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment. 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. Eat a variety of healthy, whole foods, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. Related: Your guide to pregnancy-safe skin care. Therapeutic options. Barsh G. What Controls Variation in Skin Color? Cut down on screen time in front of your LED screen television, tablet, mobile phone and computer. It also helps regulate your body temperature, prevent hydration and feel sensations like the warmth of the stove, the fur on your dogs belly and the pressure of someone elses hand holding yours. The first thing you need to do to treat your melasma is to make sure that it doesnt get any worse. Its only symptom is the gradual development of mottled dark spots on your skin, typically on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and upper lip, though it can also appear on the forearms. 2015;4:13240-13247. It depends on the person and the medication used. There's no proven link between. Why Does Pregnancy Make My Lips and Skin So Dry? Applying this powerful antioxidant to your skin can help brighten melasma while providing other anti-aging benefits, like increased collegen production. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider and follow your treatment plan carefully. Limit sunbathing and try relaxing under a tree or umbrella instead. beneath the breasts during late pregnancy. Melasma is more common in people with medium to darker skin and seems to run in families. Chloasma: The mask of pregnancy. Exactly How to Treat the Skin Discoloration. The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women. Hello. It sometimes affects your arms, neck and back. Here are some of the most important things to know about melasma and how you can manage it during pregnancy: . At this time no foods or drinks are known by experts to directly cause, magically cure or worsen melasma. 2 15% to 50% of pregnant women get it. But, melasma patches are almost always larger than what we call age spots, sun spots, or liver spots. 6.4 EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. Are the soaps Im using right now aggravating my melasma (come with a list if you need to)?

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