melasma on breast during pregnancy melasma on breast during pregnancy

Hormonal changes: The extra estrogen and progesterone your body makes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. They are generally tan or brownish in color, but can look blue-gray on people with naturally darker skin color. Exposure to the sun can make melasma worse. Hello. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Be sure that youre rounding out your diet by consuming supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. 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. 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. 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. (2020). Melasma is common during pregnancy, as it is believed to be caused by increased levels of oestrogen in the blood. Its caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, which affect the skins pigment-producing melanocytes. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Accessed 7/23/2020. Dermatol Surg. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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. Check out our article on safe skin care during pregnancy. Occasionally, you might get it on the chest or arms, but that's unusual. This means that its long-lasting (three months or more). Some experts dont recommend treating melasma during pregnancy. 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. Melasma is also sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy because the splotches typically show up around your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead in the shape of a mask. First and foremost, try to resist the urge to self-diagnose. Melasma is a harmless skin condition. That said, there are skin cancers that look similar to melasma, so its important to see your dermatologist to get a definitive diagnosis. 2. Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. Why do dark spots and patches appear on the skin during pregnancy? 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. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose your condition using a Woods lamp, which helps show whether a skin condition is bacterial, fungal, or otherwise concerning. Choose a method of birth control that doesnt include hormones. 2020;1(2):65-67. doi:10.5606/jebms.2020.75614. The intensity of pregnancy melasma can fluctuate throughout the year, darkening in the summer and lightening up in the winter. Melasma during pregnancy is very common. 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. ), (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. 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. 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. Melasma can be managed, but often not entirely cured, in the sense that in someone who is predisposed, it can always come back. The underlying cause of pregnancy melasma is unknown, beyond an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. 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. 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. At this time no medication can completely prevent melasma. Since the sun may trigger the development of more pigment, its a good idea to stay out of its rays, especially for long periods of time. How much youre out in the sun or even the time of year when youre pregnant may also affect when you first notice it. 2) Stopping the transfer of that pigment to the surface of the skin where it appears as dark spots. It mimics discoloration of other skin conditions, and should be diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist MD/DO to prevent misdiagnosis and incorrect treatments.. Melasma that appears during pregnancy usually does go away within a few months after you give birth. Melasma is a skin condition causing uneven, darkened areas or spots that look like freckles. Shipping, Melasma During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention and Treatment, Non-pregnancy related hormonal imbalances. How many hours of sunlight do you recommend I receive? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. DermNet NZ; Science SourceA pregnancy mask may appear as dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin. If your hyperpigmentation is accompanied by consistent itching, irritation or discomfort, its important to note that these are not symptoms of melasma. 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. Melasma is a common skin disorder. . 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. Overall, between 50 and 70 percent of people will develop some form of melasma during pregnancy. Bolanca I, et al. If it bothers you, Dr. Belkin recommends using a tinted sunscreen to help, well, mask your pregnancy mask.. Eat a variety of healthy, whole foods, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. 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. What skin solutions are off-limits during pregnancy? Goodarzi A, et al. Yes, this also applies to tanning beds or any other environment where you would be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. It's common to develop blotchy spots of darker skin when you're pregnant, a condition called melasma or chloasma. Sun exposure plays a role too. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure, medication side effects, genetics, age, inflammation, and skin injuries can all lead to different types of skin discoloration. Some of the topical options include hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/27/2020. ), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Her go-to ingredients include vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root extract, as well as hydroquinone and glycolic acid. What are stretch marks? A dermatologist will be able to perform treatments that your usual healthcare provider may not be able to. Typically it takes about three or more months for the melasma to fade. Privacy Policy 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. Melasma can even occur in men, although its far more common in women. What about the face? 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. A safer choice would be azeleic acid which is completely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chloasma is a cosmetic concern. Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Journal of Experimental and Basic Medical Sciences. Heres more about this condition, why it crops up in pregnancy, and how you can treat it safely. Dr. Arlo Miller answered Dermatology 17 years experience Avoid: I would not recommend it. 6.5 CeraVe Vitamin C Serum. Solar elastosis and elastic fiber fragmentation. Its not painful, itchy, or uncomfortable in any way. Otherwise, speak with your doctor about the options for treatment and the benefits and risks of each. 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. Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment. Always be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. Bring up any additional symptoms you have with your doctor. Your healthcare provider may administer the test. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. The best way to treat melasma is with a bleaching regimen such as hydroquinone. This can occur when youre pregnant due to an increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. You're also more likely to develop melasma if it runs in your family. Dr. Belkin says his pregnancy melasma diagnoses center around the timing of its appearance and its placement. Melasma does not cause any itching or pain and has no other physical symptoms. 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.