Link to the writeup: maelove.com/blogs/news/treati...
Link to the Pregnancy & Acne video: • Pregnancy Acne: Discov...
0:00 Intro
0:05 Estrogen and melasma
0:45 Treatment options during pregnancy
1:30 Why is there lack of good data on which ingredients are safe to use during pregnancy?
1:54 Common changes during pregnancy - in skin, hair, and nails
3:01 How does pregnancy cause melasma?
4:09 Sunscreen can prevent melasma
5:55 Vitamin C
7:25 Azelaic Acid
8:50 Glycolic Acid
9:40 Hydroquinone
11:30 Corticosteroids
11:37 Retinoids (retinol)
12:39 Oral vs Topical Retinoids (retinol)
13:16 Arbutin
14:24 Tranexamic Acid
15:39 Kojic Acid
16:36 Laser and Light Therapy
17:21 Recap
Hi! Welcome to Maelove.
Today we answer the question: what causes hyperpigmentation during pregnancy and what can I do about it?
Why does it happen? In part it’s because the placenta is an endocrine organ and it releases hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This will have wide-ranging effects throughout your body including your skin.
In hyperpigmentation, estrogen stimulates the cells that produce melanin, called melanocytes, and progesterone augments this effect (Sumit 2012).
Even when not pregnant, the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives can also cause melasma due to these hormonal interactions with melanocytes, the melanin producing cells (Sheth and Pandya 2011).
First of all, for so many skincare ingredients, there is just not that much data about its safety of use during pregnancy and there is even less data about using ingredients during breastfeeding. And the reason is simple - people are reluctant to run tests on pregnant women, and rightly so. But the drawback is that we’re having to make choices with lack of good data, so it’s generally advised to err on the side of caution.
Overall, consult a dermatologist or OB/Gyn before adding anything new to your skincare routine or if you feel unsure about the safety of any existing skincare products you are using.
Pregnancy is a time when your body undergoes many rapid hormonal changes and a large majority - around 90% - of women notice some changes in their skin. And the most common changes are hyperpigmentation and stretch marks.
This content is provided as part of our commitment to bringing science-based information to the public, and it is intended to offer general scientific background on the topic. However, health is complex, and individual cases can vary significantly. We strongly encourage you to consult with a healthcare provider who can diagnose and prescribe treatments specifically tailored to your needs.
Changes in hair is common and it may include hirsutism, which means excessive hair growth in the face, chest and back. Some of you may notice a lusher mane during pregnancy.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the extra hair on your face and head will also fall out after pregnancy. In fact, the prolonged shedding of the excess hair may last for several months or more than one year after pregnancy (Tunzi 2007).
Your nails will grow faster during pregnancy but this also resolves postpartum. Vascular changes from estrogen changes can cause spider veins, reddened palms of hands, and varicose veins - but again these also usually regress postpartum (Tunzi 2007).
Now, going back to hyperpigmentation during pregnancy.
It may be termed melasma or older terms include chloasma or mask of pregnancy since for many women, it occurs or worsens mainly during pregnancy.
Melasma often resolves on its own postpartum. However, in many cases, melasma lasts for years beyond pregnancy (Sheth and Pandya 2011). Today we will go through what kind of skincare is deemed safe and what is deemed unsafe to use during pregnancy to treat hyperpigmentation.
First off, let’s talk about sunscreen