Lots of patients come to the clinic searching for treatment on a typical issue amongst pregnant women: the dark spots on the skin!
All through pregnancy, but a lot more evident within the third trimester, lots of females commence to notice the look of this sort of stain, also named melasma or chloasma. The dark brownish spots appear more frequently around the face but can also attain neck, arms, and other parts of the body. Besides melasma, other modifications in skin pigmentation may be more evident in the pregnancy, such as the darkening of the nipples, the look of a dark line on the belly (known as black line) and also the darkening of freckles or moles. These pigmentary alterations can take place in 75-90% of pregnant females, of variable shape and places. It really is also worth noting that the spots may perhaps appear until about three months following delivery.
How do they appear?
The main purpose of the appearance of spots in this period is associated with hormone production. Estrogens and progestins stimulate melanogenesis, which is the formation of melanin, the natural pigment of the skin. When the pigment is restricted to the epidermis, the most superficial layer of the skin, it becomes simpler to eradicate pregnancy patches. However, if the pigment features a larger concentration inside the dermis, i.e., is deeper, usually it is tough to address the issue. To understand the depth of your pigment, the dermatologist may need to use some special magnifying glasses and lights in the office to assist the physical examination. Females with dark skins are a lot more likely to possess melasma, considering that the darker the skin type is, the greater the possibility of hyperpigmentation. Rafaela Salvato Dermatologia.
How can I avoid the stains?
The ideal solution to prevent stains around the skin during pregnancy is to use sunscreen and hats whenever exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Appropriate sun exposure is healthy during pregnancy, but with attention towards the right time: before 10 am and after 4 pm. Remember that each one has a precise skin type and that the best professional to decide which can be the correct sunscreen for you is the dermatologist. Not all sunscreens are encouraged for pregnant females, so it is actually far better to seek the assistance of a specialist.
Treatment
Therapy will depend on the type and location of the spots. Peelings, laser sessions and bleaching creams are allies within the fight against stains, but lots of them are certainly not approved for use in pregnant ladies or in the course of breast-feeding. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do if the melasma appeared and you are still pregnant. Seek the advice of your dermatologist and he or she will indicate secure bleaching creams and lotions.
Nonetheless, the most important thing is that your child develops healthy and your pregnancy occurs safely. Responsibly and secure, you are able to undergo pregnancy feeling content and fulfilled, without the stains disturbing you!
Doctor Rafaela Salvato, Dermatologist in Florianópolis – Spots on the skin during pregnancy