Oh, what a phase full of changes! Pregnancy is a time of total transformation in a woman’s body, hair, mood, and also her skin. Some women are lucky and during this period their skin looks more radiant than ever, while others end up with the dreaded pregnancy spots, not to mention stretch marks and, in some cases, a lot of pimples.

Due to the great hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body over the 9 months of pregnancy, especially the increase in estrogen, sensitivity to sunlight also changes. This is the main factor responsible for pregnancy spots, also known in medicine as chloasma or melasma gravidarum. The increase in hormone levels stimulates melanogenesis, which is responsible for the formation of melanin in the body, and leads to dark spots in isolated areas. Sun exposure is the main reason, but a woman’s genetic predisposition and hormonal fluctuations are also considered contributing factors. For this reason, it is impossible to predict the appearance of pregnancy spots, making the best option to take good care of your skin and double your skincare routine during this period. You know those precautions dermatologists always recommend for skin care? So, put them into practice now even more diligently, especially concerning sun exposure.

Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. as this is when the sun’s rays are strongest, making it unsafe for your skin. Wearing caps and hats while walking in the sun is also recommended by doctors, as is, of course, using a specific sunscreen advised by a dermatologist. Sunscreen should even be used on cloudy days, and it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours to maintain protection. Pregnancy spots usually appear around 6 months of pregnancy and show up as dark brown patches. The main areas affected are the face, belly, armpits, chest, arms, and groin. The problem may disappear after the baby is born, but there are cases when it lasts for years postpartum if not properly treated. So, if you are struggling with pregnancy spots, see a dermatologist as soon as possible and start the right treatment to prevent dealing with the issue for a long time.

The Pregnancy Spots Have Already Appeared, Now What Should I Do?

If you were not warned about taking care of your skin to avoid pregnancy spots and are now having this problem, know that there are treatments to make them disappear, but most dermatologists prefer to start treatment only after childbirth, or better, after the baby is weaned. After all, the treatment involves a combination of products and methods that may be harmful to fetal development and during breastfeeding, to the baby. The recommended treatments for removing pregnancy spots include chemical peels with retinoic acid, licorice, arbutin, hydroquinone, phytic and kojic acids, whitening creams and ointments, and laser removal sessions. Maintenance at home is needed afterward, using formulas developed for skin spot lightening along with a sunscreen to prevent spots from reappearing. Remember, once your skin develops spots, if not treated properly, new spots may appear at any time, highlighting the importance of performing the treatment correctly. For women already dealing with this problem, it’s recommended to use acidic pH soaps daily, and moisturize with creams containing a higher SPF, never forgetting to apply them to the chest and neck areas as well.

If the situation is worsening and the spots are getting darker, see your dermatologist. Some recommend milder formulas or soaps with ingredients that pose no risk during pregnancy as a form of treatment, although they are not very effective, but they can help lighten the spots, preventing the problem from worsening. There is also a home remedy some women swear by, combining tomato and milk. The method is simple and should be used at least twice a week to get results. Cut a tomato in half and pour some milk into a container. Dip half the tomato in the milk and rub it on the spots on your face and body for 10 minutes. Of course, this is a home remedy without any medical proof of results, but it doesn’t hurt to try, right? Especially during pregnancy, when stronger treatments are not permitted.

See also: Linha Nigra and Skin Spots in Pregnancy

Photo: ROBERTO CARLOS PECI,  « м Ħ ж »