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Yes, some pregnant women may complain of acne-prone skin, drier and rougher, duller, until dark patches appear called melasma. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melasma can affect about 50-70 percent of pregnant women.
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Although not a painful condition, the appearance of black patches on the face that makes the skin look dull may make pregnant women feel insecure. So, what causes melasma in pregnant women?
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Explanation of the Causes of Melasma in Pregnant Women
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Yes Moms, the cause of melasma during pregnancy is actually not known for certain until now. Quoting Mom Junctiton, this condition is thought to develop when skin melanocytes (pigments) produce extra color during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have darker skin are more likely to develop melasma because they have active melanocytes.
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Although the cause is not known for certain, experts say there are several things that might trigger melasma in pregnant women, as quoted from the official Harvard Medical School website below:
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Hormonal changes during pregnancy also affect the condition of the mother’s skin. Increased levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) in the third trimester tend to trigger melasma symptoms. This is because the MSH hormone itself does play a role in releasing melanin throughout the body, causing black patches of melasma.
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During pregnancy, the mother’s skin may be more sensitive than before due to hormonal changes. Besides being more easily irritated, the skin of pregnant women can also stimulate melanocytes more quickly when exposed to too much sun. This can increase the risk of melasma in pregnant women. This condition may be more severe in the summer, Moms.
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Research shows that the chemicals in cosmetics can have a negative impact during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women need to be careful when using cosmetics. Some cosmetics may cause black patches on the skin if the ingredients are not safe for pregnant women. So, if you want to keep dressing up while pregnant, it’s important to consult a doctor beforehand, yes.
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Several other factors including genetic history, multiple pregnancies, and maternal age over 30 years during pregnancy can also cause melasma during pregnancy. In addition, the use of drugs during pregnancy can also affect skin conditions, including making it more dull and melasma spots appear.
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Yes Moms, those are some things that can increase the risk of melasma during pregnancy that you need to be aware of. Even so, you don’t really need to worry too much about melasma that appears during pregnancy. This is because this condition usually disappears a few months after giving birth when hormonal activity returns to normal.
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