Why melasma during pregnancy

Fortunately, most UV-induced melasma is prevented by limiting sun exposure and wearing sunscreen. However, hormonal-induced melasma may require topical medications. Topical corticosteroids help prevent excess pigmentation and inflammation and are safe in small doses for use while pregnant. We recommend asking your doctor before using any medications or substances while pregnant or breastfeeding.

As with many pregnancy-related conditions, melasma treatment options are limited due to few high-quality studies showing significant benefit and insignificant risk. Hydroquinone and topical retinoids are topical agents that can prevent melanin production and help with melanocyte degeneration and are used to treat melasma. However, they are NOT recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

On a positive note, melasma, even without treatment, is likely to fade on its own when the stimulus pregnancy hormones goes away. Skip to content. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. What is melasma in pregnancy? Symptoms of melasma in pregnancy The primary symptom of chloasma is darkening of the skin on the face. Related Posts. Financial stress burdens more than half of new U. November 1, Melasma during pregnancy can be treatable, but since hormonal and other unknown factors cause it, it can be challenging to treat effectively.

However, if you are set on seeking treatment, always consult your doctor first. Most hyperpigmentation medications have poorly understood side effects relating to pregnancy.

For example, it is not known if and how certain ingredients in standard treatments, such as hydroquinone or retinoids, may affect your unborn baby. Although there are many over-the-counter treatments for hyperpigmentation, always seek medical advice before using them. Outpatient melasma treatments include laser treatment, chemical peels, and wave devices.

These are considered more aggressive forms of treatment. Although they can be used during pregnancy, most doctors do not recommend taking this course of action.

This is because, as discussed, melasma can improve on its own after you have given birth. Since the pregnancy term is relatively short, most doctors will recommend less aggressive treatments or a wait-it-out approach.

Home remedies can be useful in helping reduce skin discoloration. Some of the options available are lemon juice, turmeric powder, aloe vera gel, oatmeal, and papaya, among others. Although some may swear by these remedies, remember that any evidence of effectiveness is anecdotal and have not been proven in scientific studies. That said, using home remedies in your daily skincare regimen can promote healthy skin, giving you a confidence boost even if the discoloration persists.

One of the most effective things you can do to improve the appearance of your melasma is to avoid the sun. Just like hormones, UV rays are a well-known melasma trigger. At minimum, just make sure to use sunscreen every day and stay inside during peak hours 10 am — 2 pm. Every little bit of sun avoidance will help prevent your melasma from getting worse. The best thing you can do to improve the appearance of your melasma is to use a combination of techniques.

Some easy steps you can take every day are:. We know that melasma can be a challenge to live with, but this condition can absolutely be managed.

As you manage your pregnancy and your melasma, remember there is also a psychological perspective to consider. He received his Doctor of Me Tags: chemical peel , hormones , laser , pregnancy Neal Kumar neal. He completed his dermatology residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and served as Chief Resident during his final year. Kumar is currently practicing as a board-certified dermatologist. Kumar is also a co-founder of multiple web-based start-ups including Novachrom Web, Dermpedia, and Drip Hydration.

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