Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for every mum. But there are several things that they may not enjoy during this phase, such as melasma or pigmentation during pregnancy.
Melasma is characterised by dark brown spots on the skin and often appears during pregnancy. Many mums consider it as the world’s most annoying and stubborn skin concern. However, you don’t have to worry too much, as melasma isn’t a cause of concern and can be managed easily.
What Is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition that leads to the development of brown spots or patches on your skin. It is also referred to as chloasma or ‘mask of pregnancy’ when it appears in expecting women. Melasma can appear on your face in three patterns:
- Malar: affecting your cheeks
- Centrofacial: affecting your forehead, nose, and upper lips
- Mandibular: affecting your jawline and chin
You may also notice pigmentation or discolouration on your shoulders or neck. While this isn’t a harmful condition, many women tend to become self-conscious about their appearance. But you don’t need to be scared of these dark spots at all, and neither should you confuse it with hyperpigmentation.
Melasma And Hyperpigmentation: What’s The Difference?
Hyperpigmentation is a broad term used to refer to any skin condition where discolouration or dark patches appear on the skin. This could be due to various factors, such as scarring on your face due to acne, marks caused by psoriasis or eczema. All of these factors come under hyperpigmentation.
Melasma, on the other hand, can be a bit tricky. It is also a type of hyperpigmentation but is mainly triggered by sun exposure or hormonal factors. Compared to traditional hyperpigmentation, melasma can go much deeper into the skin’s layers.
What Causes Melasma During Pregnancy
While the exact cause of melasma isn’t entirely understood, experts believe that UV is one of the main factors that cause this condition. Other factors that trigger melasma during pregnancy include:
- Hormone therapy
- Anti-seizure medications
- Family history of melasma
- Birth control pills
- Ethnicity
Diagnosis Of Melasma
Your dermatologist can determine this condition by running a visual examination. They may also perform Wood’s Lamp Examination to rule out other underlying causes. During this procedure, a particular type of light is held close to your skin to determine whether your skin is affected by bacteria or fungi. It also helps determine how many layers of your skin are affected by melasma.
6 Ways To Prevent Melasma During Pregnancy: Treatments & Remedies
Here are some easy ways to treat melasma:
- Incorporate Exfoliation In Your Daily Skincare Routine
It’s no secret that exfoliation is key to minimising dark spots and smoothing skin. And works for melasma too! Include face peels rich in lactic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to evenly exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin as it helps in breaking apart pigmented cells.
- Stock Your Skincare Shelf With Vitamin C Products
Discolouration from melasma usually stems from the overproduction of melanin. To treat this, use Vitamin C serums, which work as antioxidants to rejuvenate the skin and lighten up dark spots.
- Ramp Up Your Retin-A And Retinol Use
Retin-A and retinol are excellent for turning over the skin cells and producing new collagen as well. It depends on your level of melasma to determine if you require only retinol-infused products or Retin-A too.
- Try Chemical Peels To Reduce Facial Melasma
Chemical peels are safe and effective for all skin types and can help reduce facial melasma. We suggest you get chemical peels spaced three weeks apart. These skincare treatments are popular as they do not cause any redness or swelling.
- Make Room For Hydroquinoes In Your Skincare Routine
Hydroquinone is a well-known lightening agent that has been used for melasma treatment for many years. They reduce pigmentations and are available in different concentrations. While it’s an effective treatment, it’s always safe to consult your dermatologist before including it in your regimen, as it may cause ochronosis.
- Apply SPF Every Single Day, Without Fail!
Sun exposure can make melasma worse, therefore SPF is a must. Even if you are not spending a lot of time outside, or it’s cloudy, you cannot miss weaning sunscreen. Look for sunscreens that offer broad coverage and are easy to apply for daily use.
4 Home Remedies To Reduce Dark Spots
- Lemon: It contains citric acid and is excellent for reducing blemishes and dark spots. All you need to do is dilute lemon juice with water and apply it to the affected area for 10 mins.
- Turmeric: It contains curcumin that reduces melanoma cells and treats dark spots. Use it with lemon juice to make a paste and apply it to your face for just under 10 minutes. Use this mask twice a week till your dark spots vanish.
- Potato: It can be used for treating any form of hyperpigmentation or melasma. Grate the potato to squeeze out its juice. Apply the juice to affected spots daily for 5-10 minutes to see the magic!
- Aloe Vera: This miracle plant can literally treat any skin condition. Aloe vera contains aloin, which is a skin-lightening agent. Apply it to the affected areas daily before going to bed. Follow this ritual every day to see results.
These dark spots are pretty common during pregnancy. Don’t panic if they appear on your face and body. Speak with a certified dermatologist who can guide you on your melasma journey and suggest proper treatment methods.
Have you faced similar issues? Which method worked best for you? Let us know in the comments below!
