Dark spots during pregnancy: what it is and how to prevent
As great as the feeling of bringing new life into this world is, so great are the questions of how to maintain a healthy pregnancy for you and your unborn baby. This applies not only to what is happening from the inside, but also to what is happening from the outside. Indulging in a good skincare regimen can benefit you during pregnancy and long-term after your pregnancy.
Motherhood should be embraced at all times, even though pregnancy brings changes to your body and skin. However, it's totally understandable that you'd rather avoid certain pregnancy signs. In this blog we take a closer look at the formation of pigment spots. During pregnancy, this is called a pregnancy mask. Since this is not the easiest skin condition to deal with, you would save yourself a lot of money and time by preventing it instead oftreatingit . Here are some helpful tips on how to do this!
What is a Pregnancy Mask?
Melasma is a more serious form of hyperpigmentation (hyper = excessive) of the skin. The word is derived from the Greek word 'melas' meaning 'black' . During pregnancy this is called pregnancy melasma or 'chloasma' or more commonly known as pregnancy mask . This means that spots are formed, darker than your own skin color (brown in color), due to the higher production of pigment in certain parts of the skin. It is called a mask because many of these spots are bundled in such a way that they cover the entire face. They mainly occur on the upper lip, chin, cheeks and forehead .
Source: Instagram @leah_behr
Why dark spots occur
The cells responsible for producing pigment or melanin are the melanocytes. Overactivation of these melanocytes leads to the appearance of dark brown spots on the skin surface.
The scientific literature has shown that it is still not fully known what the actual cause of melasma is. It is believed that the occurrence of melasma is more pronounced during pregnancy, the intake of oral contraceptives and unprotected exposure to the sun . Genetic factors (DNA) also determine whether you are more susceptible to getting pigment spots.
Prevention is a must
Sun cream
The earlier in pregnancy you start using sun protection, the better your long-term results. Wondering why sun protection is so important? UV rays or sun rays are one of the main causes of hyperpigmentation .
Use a sunscreen with SPF50 or SPF100 for the highest protection against UV damage. It is not enough to apply sunscreen just once a day. Applying it several times a day is a must to ensure the protection you need. Depending on your skin type and amount of sun exposure, the time between applications may vary. A general guideline is to apply sunscreen every two hours .
Hyperpigmentation mainly occurs in dark skin types. If you really don't like the texture of sunscreen, because of the white film that is formed with a higher SPF, it is recommended to at least include antioxidants in your skincare routine .
Antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol ferulate and vitamin C (max. ± 25%) protect against free radicals produced by UV rays that contribute to hyperpigmentation.
Lesser known antioxidants, but much more powerful than the classic vitamin C, are superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase . These are the antioxidants produced by our body and when applied to the skin can compensate for a lack of protection of the body's own antioxidants .
Conclusion
It is almost impossible to keep track of all the do's and don'ts during pregnancy. People often forget that our skin is our largest organ and deserves more attention than you might think. It's easier to hide a skin problem on your body, but of course it's more difficult on your face. Therefore, prevention is of great importance , especially in the case of pigmentation that often takes a long time to fade.
Nomige Master Class
Can't get enough of absorbing all this information about your skin? Dr. Barbara Geusens shares all her valuable knowledge she gained during her skin series during her PhD in dermatological sciences .
She is also the founder of Nomige, hyper-personalized skin care based on DNA and lifestyle factors . Are you curious why she developed Nomige and how Nomige can help you solve your unique skin problems? Then you should watch her Masterclass Webinar where she answers all your questions about Nomige.
Skin aging is a very complex process that is influenced by both internal (your DNA) and external factors (such as the sun, pollution, weather conditions, smoking...). Every skin is unique and the same can be said of the skin aging process.
