Melasma, The Mask of Pregnancy
There are many issues to contend with during pregnancy, one of the least in which you may want to worry about are changes to the skin. Melasma, known as the “mask of pregnancy” (sounds so ominous!), are dark patches of skin that may appear on on the face in the second and third trimesters. These splotchy-type patches range in color from a pale beige to a darker brown, and are caused by pregnancy hormones. These hormones can trigger hyperpigmentation which causes patches of the skin to darken.
Sun exposure may worsen the hyperpigmentation so a good way to control it is to wear a proper sunscreen and avoid the sun. Beauty Beat recommends using a sunscreen that contains Mexoryl, Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Helioplex, or Zinc Oxide. Melasma may fade post-pregnancy but, once it appears, it is typically recommended to wait until after delivery to treat it. Some post-pregnancy treatment alternatives include Retin-A, topical skin bleach, peels, and lasers.
Even though I am not expecting it is good that you are including information for pregnant women. This will also help attract new subscibers to your MBB site. I am also glad to have a list of products to look for when purchasing sunscreen. We can all use that. Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading your blog. R
posted on January 8, 2008 at 4:50 pm