Pregnancy hyperpigmentation is a common pregnancy ailment and causes dark spots to appear on the face along with a dark line down the center of the abdomen. Medically known as melasma and referred to as the "mask of pregnancy," AmericanPregnancy.org reports this condition affects nearly 50 percent of pregnant women, as their bodies produce more hormones that increase pigmentation. There are a few steps women can employ to help prevent or exacerbate this often distressing condition.
Sun Protection
Step 1
Choose sunscreen wisely and wear it. Sun exposure can promote and often increase facial hyperpigmentation. Even when indoors or when it is cloudy outside, the Mayo Clinic recommends wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB coverage of SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are highly effective against the sun's rays.
Step 2
Beef up the sunscreen when spending extra time outdoors. A sunscreen with SPF of 45 or greater should suffice.
Step 3
Reapply frequently to help minimize the chances of the sun working to darken existing dark spots even further. Skin care specialists recommend re-applying every two hours.
Step 4
Keep your face out of the sun. A broad-brimmed hat or even a ball cap can help protect your face from the sun during this extra-sensitive time. You can also wear your favorite ball cap to protect your face from the sun.
Dermatological Treatments
Step 1
Pursue dermatological treatments to minimize hyperpigmentation, but be sure to consult a dermatologist who specializes in melasma. Options may include glycolic acid chemical peels, microderm abrasions or even laser surgery to treat melasma. Treatments performed ineffectively can actually make skin hyperpigmentation worse.
Step 2
Consider topical ointments post-pregnancy. These can include skin-bleaching creams with hydroquinone, and ointments containing Retin-A. Neither ingredient has received approval by the Food and Drug Administration for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, according to Drugs.com.
Step 3
Weigh the benefits of waiting until after the baby is born to pursue any dermatological endeavors. Elevated hormones throughout pregnancy may cause melasma to come back even if a chemical peel or microderm abrasion process is temporarily effective.
Makeup & Skin Care
Step 1
Use facial products that are gentle and non-irritating. In particular, take care when selecting facial cleansers and creams, as products that irritate the skin can make melasma worse according to BabyCenter.com.
Step 2
Apply a concealing makeup. Foundations or concealers with SPF can go a long way toward hiding dark spots during pregnancy.
Step 3
Choose hypo-allergenic makeup that won't irritate the skin. Similar to facial cleansing products, anything that irritates the skin can make dark spots appear even darker.
Tips and Warnings
- The American Academy of Dermatology encourages women to remain patient. It may take several months to see substantial improvement even with proactive dermatological treatments. Fortunately, once pregnancy hormones have subsided, melasma often improves or can even disappear completely.
- Contraceptives containing estrogen can contribute to skin hyperpigmentation after a baby is born. Women with bothersome melasma who are on the birth control pill, the patch or even the vaginal ring may want to consider another birth control option.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Non-irritating makeup
- Non-irritating skin cleansing and moisturizing products
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