Melasma in Pregnancy (Chloasma) is a dark brown spot on the skin that occurs during pregnancy. It usually occurs on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. Melasma during pregnancy does not affect the health of the pregnancy or is dangerous in any way. However, it can cause a pregnant woman to feel insecure and her skin color to look unattractive.

Pregnancy causes many changes in the body, including changes in the skin, such as melasma. For the most part, melasma during pregnancy will disappear on its own after delivery. However, mothers can take care of their skin to help reduce and prevent further melasma.

Factors that cause melasma during pregnancy

The increase in pregnancy hormones  , such as estrogen and progesterone, is a major factor in causing freckles during pregnancy. These hormones stimulate the body to produce more melanin, http://ufabet999.app a pigment that gives hair, eyes, and skin its color, causing some areas of the skin to appear darker.

Melasmas during pregnancy can occur throughout the pregnancy, but it most often occurs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy because the body produces more estrogen and progesterone hormones after 12 weeks of pregnancy, and the hormone levels reach their peak around 32 weeks of pregnancy.

 In addition, other factors that may trigger melasmas during pregnancy include:

• Exposure to ultraviolet  (UV) radiation from strong sunlight
• Using certain skin care products or medications
• Someone in my family had melasma before.
• Women with dark skin are more at risk of developing melasmas than those with fair skin.
• Women aged 20–40 years

Characteristics of melasma during pregnancy

Melasma during pregnancy often appears as brown or gray-brown spots or bands on the skin. They usually appear on both cheeks, forehead, chin, bridge of the nose, jaw, and area above the upper lip. They gradually appear on the skin surface over time. Frequent exposure to strong sunlight can cause melasmas to spread over a larger area. 

Melasma during pregnancy usually does not cause itching, swelling or pain on the skin. It does not develop into skin cancer  and is not harmful to the fetus. It only affects the beauty of the face.

In addition to melasma during pregnancy, some pregnant women may experience stretch marks on their abdomen,  darker-than-normal nipples, and darker skin in other areas of the body.