Melasma and melasma during pregnancy are similar in nature, but the causes and treatments are completely different depending on the skin condition. Please refer to the article below to be able to distinguish these 2 types of skin pigmentation and choose the most suitable treatment.
Healthy glowing skin is always a dream of every woman. Unfortunately, many people still suffer from an obsession called melasma . However, not everyone can distinguish between normal melasma and pregnancy pigmentation. So what are these two different types of melasma? What are the causes and treatments for each type of melasma?
Melasma is often a condition where more areas of the skin become darker than the surrounding skin. Doctors call this hyperpigmentation . This condition mainly occurs on the face, especially on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip area. Dark areas of skin can be fading, ranging from pale yellow to dark brown. Other areas of the body exposed to the sun can also become pigmented, but this is very rare. ( 1 ) (2)
The most important factor making melasma worse is sun exposure. In addition, the use of certain drugs that make you sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity) may also increase the risk of skin pigmentation. These medications may include cosmetics and oral medications that are used to treat breast or thyroid problems.
50-70% of pregnant women may develop dark spots during their pregnancy. In addition, melasma caused by pregnancy is also known as a "pregnancy mask", with features such as symmetrical dark areas that usually appear on the cheeks, upper lip area, forehead and chin, almost like a mask. People with darker, tanned skin are at an increased risk of melasma. Pregnancy pigmentation also tends to appear more in the summer because the skin has to be exposed to the sun.
Pregnancy pigmentation is also associated with hormone changes that occur during pregnancy, so dark areas of skin are a common sign of pregnant women. If you are on hormone replacement therapy or taking birth control pills, you are also likely to experience melasma.
Learn more: Is facial care during pregnancy safe?
Melasma is a very common skin disease. It can happen to anyone, but younger women with brown skin tone are at an increased risk of developing melasma;
Sun exposure can also be a potential factor in skin pigmentation. People living in tropical climates are more prone to melasma;
Allergies to medications and cosmetics can cause skin pigmentation, although very rarely;
Patients with Addison (a type of adrenal gland disorder) may develop skin pigmentation symptoms;
Skin pigmentation is often related to hormonal changes in women. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can cause skin pigmentation;
Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can trigger dark spots on the skin;
A genetic predisposition can cause darkening of the skin;
Patients diagnosed with a thyroid disorder may also experience melasma;
The body overproduces melanocyte stimulating hormone due to stress, which also causes dull skin and dark spots.
Pregnancy is the period when a woman's body has many disturbances in organs such as the digestive tract, veins, and nerves, and most worries about hormonal changes, leaving lasting consequences. on skin such as: large pores, oily facial skin, dull skin color, pigmentation on both cheeks ...
Hormonal changes in the body cause skin pigmentation disorders. The cause of skin pigmentation during pregnancy is due to a sudden increase in female hormonal factors such as estrogen and progesterone.
A spike in levels of these hormones as well as an increased blood flow stimulates the formation of the molecules tyrosine and melanocytes (melanin precursors), leading to increased production of melanin and expression. appears as spots, melasma on the skin.
For women who have freckles, during pregnancy the freckles will become darker and the moles will also be darker pigmented during pregnancy.
These manifestations are more common in women of color or people of Asian and African descent who already have pigmentation. Exposure to sunlight can make melasma during pregnancy worse.
Learn more: Why Asians often suffer from melasma?
Here are a few options to help fade or remove dark areas caused by pigmentation:
Hydroquinone is a cream that helps to remove pigmentation. This cream prevents natural chemical processes that lead to the formation of the pigment melanin, a substance that darkens skin tone;
Tretinoin is a vitamin A that helps increase the rate of dead skin cells lost and new cells appear. This helps the melasma to fade faster as new skin pigmentation cells are being ejected;
Azelaic Acid Cream helps to slow or stop the production of skin pigmentation, which causes dull skin;
A chemical mask is a liquid applied to the face that creates a mild chemical burn, similar to a sunburn. Over time, the burned skin peels off and leaves new skin behind. Chemical masks come in varying degrees. Glycolic acid is one of the lightest, so the risk of scarring or discoloring is often lower. Chemical masks can be used when other skin pigmentation treatments are ineffective;
Therapy IPL (Intense Pulsed Light ) uses the power of light waves to remove the skin pigment.
When the hormone stabilizes, the spots on the skin usually fade. People with pigmentation caused by pregnancy will see the spots begin to fade after giving birth. People who are taking oral replacement pills or taking hormone replacement therapy will also find these dark areas fade when they stop taking these medications.
However, if you still want a fair and glowing skin during pregnancy without the use of medications or creams that can affect your baby, the following natural melasma treatments can help. .
Apple Cider Vinegar: Using apple cider vinegar on areas of darkened skin once or twice a day can gradually lighten these areas;
Lemon juice: squeeze a little lemon juice and apply it to the darkened areas twice a day, the spots may disappear after a few weeks;
Grapefruit Seed Extract: Vitamin C and antioxidants in grapefruit seed extract can help treat melasma when used regularly. However, there is currently no evidence that this method can help lighten skin color;
Essential oils: Many essential oils, such as green tea oil and lavender oil, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that are great for treating skin conditions. However, you should consult your doctor or midwife before taking these essential oils as you may experience some side effects during pregnancy;
Banana mask: just crush a ripe, fresh banana on the affected area, let stand for 15 minutes, then wash your face with cold water The dark spots on the skin will disappear and you will have a clear and soft complexion.
Melasma is often caused by pregnancy, although the nature is the same, but the causes and treatments are completely different. You should thoroughly research your skin condition for appropriate treatment.
In addition, you can learn more about the best natural ingredients for treating melasma and postpartum skin lightening.
aFamilyToday Health does not offer medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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