Do you also get spots on your face during pregnancy? Let's talk about this 'Pregnancy Mask' (Melasma)!

You too may be a loving mother who is about to welcome a new guest into this world. How many changes are happening to your body during this time? Among them, sometimes when you look in the mirror, you may see some brown spots on your face, especially around the eyes, on both sides of the nose, and on the cheeks that were not there before. It is normal to feel a little scared and worried when you see this. But don't worry, this is a very common condition that many pregnant mothers experience. Let's talk about this today.

What is this 'Pregnancy Mask'?

These brown spots that appear on the face during pregnancy are medically known as melasma or chloasma. However, it is so common among pregnant mothers that it is also nicknamed "pregnancy mask " .

Simply put, this is just a harmless discoloration of your skin. It is not cancer or a contagious disease. It does not harm you or your baby. Most of the time, it is just a cosmetic problem, meaning it is just something to do with appearance.

Why do spots like this appear during pregnancy?

Just think, when a little life is growing inside you, how many things your body changes to help it. The main players in these changes are hormones .

During pregnancy, your body's levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone increase dramatically. These hormones stimulate the cells that give our skin its color, called melanocytes. When these cells are stimulated, they start producing more of the brown pigment melanin .

This condition is usually more likely to occur in people with darker skin tones (like us Sri Lankans). Also, if someone in your family (mother, sister) has had these spots during pregnancy , you may also have a slight tendency to develop them.

What can we do to control these spots?

Although these spots cannot be completely prevented, there are a few things we can do to reduce their darkening and spread. The main reason for the increase in these spots is sun exposure . So we should pay more attention to protecting ourselves from it.

1. Sun protection is the most important thing!

The sun's ultraviolet rays stimulate the production of melanin in our skin. This can cause existing spots to become darker and new spots to form.

• Use sunscreen every day: Whether you're at home, going out, or even on a rainy day, make it a habit to apply sunscreen to your face every morning.
• Choose the right sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays, with at least SPF 30 or higher.
• Use it correctly: Apply about 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours if you sweat, work in water, or are sweating.
• Avoid the peak sun: Whenever possible, minimize exposure to the strong sun between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Cover up: If you're going outside, wear a wide-brim hat. This will greatly reduce the amount of direct sunlight hitting your face.

2. Use gentle skin care products

Some harsh `Face washes`, `Scrubs` and `Creams` can cause minor irritation to the skin. When such irritation occurs, the condition of melasma can worsen. Therefore, choose gentle products that suit your skin. You can also seek advice from your doctor about this.

3. Cover it temporarily with makeup

If you are concerned about these spots, there is nothing wrong with using makeup to reduce their appearance. You can temporarily cover these spots by using a concealer or foundation with yellow or white undertones.

When should we tell a doctor about this?

Although melasma is a harmless condition, not every skin change is melasma. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice in certain cases. This will ensure that we do not have another condition that could be more serious.

Don't be afraid to tell your doctor about any changes like this when you go to your clinic. It's very important for your safety as well as your baby's.

What happens after the baby is born?

Here's the good news. For most mothers, these spots gradually fade within a few months after giving birth. Once hormone levels return to normal, melanin production also comes under control. So don't worry too much about it. However, for some people, these spots may not completely fade for a while. In that case, you can see a dermatologist after the baby is born to discuss the available treatments.