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SKINCARE
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If you look in the mirror each morning hoping to see that
illustrious pregnancy glow kick in, you might be a little surprised
when instead the face looking back at you has dark patches
on it. Don’t be alarmed, this is just what’s known as the “mask of
pregnancy.” The medical term for this condition is melasma or
chloasma and it’s a direct result of all of those lovely hormones
coursing through your body.
The pregnancy hormones oestrogen and progesterone, that have
so rapidly taken over your body, are reacting with the melanin in
your skin, causing it to increase production. Hence the seemingly
strange shaped splotches of darkness on your skin. If you’ve
got moles or freckles, those will sometimes darken as well.
And just in case your body gets jealous, it too can receive some
dark splotchy love in the form of darkened nipples and a long
vertical line down your belly. Sometimes, your vulva even gets in
on the act and can turn a few shades darker. That’s when the
party really starts!
So, now what to do if you’ve got this mask? It helps to know that
in most cases, the dark patches will fade after pregnancy, but the
best thing you can do to help prevent them in the first place or
prevent them from multiplying is to wear broad-spectrum SPF of
at least 30 every day. Better yet, keep out of the sun altogether.
When unprotected UV light interacts with the pregnancy hormones
in your body, your skin gets blotches of pigment. Genetics play
a role in the development of melasma or chloasma, but even so,
don’t blame your mum for your mask. Rather, wear your SPF along
with a wide-brimmed hat to ward off the splotches before they
even appear.
Why do I have dark patches on my face?