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Pregnancy Mask: What Can You Do?

Marcie Jones Leave a Comment

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how can i get rid of my pregnancy mask?”

The mask of pregnancy, also known as melasma or chloasma, is brown or grayish patches on your face caused by melanin-producing cells in skin being stimulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This is the same stuff that makes you tan when your skin is exposed to the sun, and sun exposure can make shading and spots darker and more plentiful. The melanin patches usually appear on the forehead, jawline, nose bridge and upper lip, sometimes in one location and sometimes all over. Nutritional deficiencies, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy and other hormonal shifts can also trigger the effect.

The “mask” effect will fade soon after you give birth, though some women may be left with permanent freckles or blotches. The best way to prevent them is to stay out of the sun as much as possible, apply sunscreen every morning and every two hours you’re outside, and/or wear hats. Protecting yourself from sun exposure and using a daily moisturizer with sunscreen is a good idea even when you aren’t pregnant.

Should your blotches stick around there are skin treatments out there that claim to hasten the fading, but don’t try to use them during pregnancy. Treatments containing retinols are known to cause birth defects and should never be used by pregnant women- check the labels of your moisturizers. If the discoloration bothers you, your best bet during pregnancy is to find a cosmetic solution: makeup that evens out your skin tone.

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Filed Under: Symptoms, 2nd Trimester Tagged With: skin, skin care

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