If you’ve noticed dark, blotchy, brown, confetti-like patches of skin on your forehead, upper lip, and cheeks, you’ve got chloasma — what’s often called the “mask of pregnancy.” But you’re not alone — this condition affects 50 to 75 percent of expectant mothers.
What causes chloasma
The mask of pregnancy — technically called melasma or chloasma — appears when a steep rise in estrogen levels stimulates excess melanin production (also known as hyperpigmentation). That means your freckles and moles may look darker now too, there's probably a dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra) and your areolas could be a deeper shade. (Might as well decide this is s*xy!) It's especially common in darker-skinned women, or those of Asian and African descent, who already have more pigment in their skin. Exposure to sunlight can make it worse.
The good news: The discoloration is temporary and usually disappears after delivery or, in some cases, after you finish breastfeeding.
What you can do about it •Fill up on folic acid. Eat foods that contain folic acid (you'll also get plenty in your prenatal supplement), since studies have shown that a folate deficiency can be related to hyperpigmentation. Good choices include green leafy vegetables, oranges, whole-wheat bread, and whole-grain cereal. •Protect yourself. Wear a high SPF — at least 15, ideally 30 or more — sunscreen on your face all day, every day, even if you’re not going outside (harmful rays come right through your windows), since exposure to the sun will only make your mask of pregnancy more pronounced. Go for a fashion statement (and a skin-saver) by sporting glam sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you leave the house. •Conceal it. Make a good concealer your best friend. Choose a corrective foundation and concealer that are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and designed to cover hyperpigmentation. Match both to your skin tone, but make sure the concealer is a shade lighter than your usual product (or your skin tone, if you don’t usually use one) and apply it to the patchy spots. Then apply your foundation to the rest of your face, avoiding the patches. If concealer causes other problems (if you’ve got oily or sensitive skin), turn to pressed powder to lighten the spots – most compacts come in a wide range of colors for all skin tones.
What solutions are off-limits
Don’t use peels, bleaches or other chemically based lightening treatments during pregnancy or while you’re breastfeeding, since they can potentially penetrate the skin. Lasers, which can be irritating (especially now), are no-no’s, too.
If melasma persists even after you’ve weaned, ask your dermatologist about treatment options.
