Hello
Pregnancy can be beautiful, but your skin may also start behaving differently.
For women with melanin-rich skin, one change you may notice is increased pigmentation.
Dark patches around the cheeks, forehead, upper lip or other areas can appear or become more noticeable during pregnancy. This can be melasma, sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy.”
Here are a few things to know:
Don't panic about pigmentation: Pregnancy hormones can trigger melasma, and it may improve after delivery.
Sunscreen is important: Sun exposure can make pigmentation darker. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every day.
Think about visible light too: For melanin-rich skin, a tinted sunscreen containing iron oxide can provide additional protection against visible light, which can worsen melasma.
Keep your routine gentle: Irritation can make pigmentation worse, so avoid unnecessarily harsh products and aggressive exfoliation.
Check your ingredients: Avoid retinoids/retinol and hydroquinone during pregnancy. Some other acne ingredients may need to be limited or discussed with your doctor.
Don't treat pigmentation aggressively during pregnancy: If you're developing melasma, speak with your dermatologist about what is appropriate now and what can safely wait until after delivery.
For example, if you suddenly notice darker patches on your cheeks during pregnancy, don't start using a strong “bleaching” cream to correct it.
You could actually irritate your skin and make the pigmentation worse.
Your pregnancy skin needs protection, not punishment.
Pregnant and noticing new pigmentation, acne or other skin changes? Book a consultation with our dermatologist at Doo Havilah Aesthetics for personalised guidance.
📍 Abuja | 📞 0701 620 2776
🌐 www.doohavilahaesthetics.com
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