mask of pregnancy

[mamaofthree]

i have a "mask of pregnancy" this pregnancy. i have never had one before. it looks like i have a 'stache! it is freaking me out. does anyone know if you are more prone to them with twins (higher hormone levels???) or when you get older (i am 37 this time around).

thanks

h

[~Demeter~]

I noticed mine last pregnancy... same thing, looks like I have a 'stache and a strange dark spot right between my eyes. I didn't get it my first three pregnancies but did my fourth. I noticed it starting this time around... the only thing I can think of is a) gender related (my first 3 were boys, my 4th a girl) or b)I'm older than I was with my first 3.

[MaerynPearl]

It can happen to young first time mothers, never happen to older fifth time mothers... its all a luck of the draw what you get that pregnancy... sucky huh? Of course, certain skin types are more prone to getting it while others are not likely to at all, so that does play somewhat of a part.

I'm just so glad the only discoloration I have this time is my linea negra! at least that's sort of cute!

[Monkey Keeper]

For me, I think it has most to do with sun exposure. DD1 was born in early July, and I was on bedrest for 5 weeks before her birth, so I missed most if not all of the summer sun. With DD2, I was pregnant all summer (Jan. birthday) and out a lot at the pool with my LO. I noticed a lot more, especially around my mouth and a bit on my forehead.

With this being my 3rd and the 3rd tri being in the summer, I figure I'll end up with tons. So I'm going to invest in a few good visors and hats and pair those with sunscreen, hoping for the best. My hyperpigmentation does not resolve completely between pregnancies, and a derm has told me the only way to truly get rid of it is with laser treatments. No thanks!

[aloneinid]

I have bad, bad mask of pregnancy that developed with my first pregnancy (six years ago) and has progressively gotten worse. It is "supposed" to go away after the baby arrives, but mine didn't. I had decent success with Hydroquinone when I was done nursing DS1, but as soon I was pregnant again it came right back and even worse. Now that I am in my third pregnancy I have it around and above my eyes, in between my eyes on my forehead, on both sides of my nose, along my upper lip, and along my lip line on top. Too bad it won't just spread out evenly so I look nice and tan! I didn't stop nursing between these last two pregnancies so I couldn't use the Hydroquinone again. Even though I hate to use a chemical, it is the only thing that has been effective. From my research it is the most effective product available and even laser treatments can't top it. It is supposed to work best when used with some kind of dermabrasion. I hope to attack it with a vengeance when I am done nursing this baby. By then I will be nearly 40 and it will be time for anti-aging treatments anyway .

[teeg1973]

I developed it on my upper lip when pregnant with my DD and it is still there nearly 4 years later My lovely man-stache...not!

I have not found anything to make it go away. The one thing I did try burned my face and left me with a few wrinkles....not fun! I religiously use sunscreen on it. Hoping it doesn't get darker or increase with this pregnancy!

Tracy

[kosheng]

i can't remember where i found the research on this, but i had amazing luck with taking msm as a supplement, somewhere between 4,000-6,000 units, and a higher dose of ascorbic acid "broke up" the hyperpigmentation. if i remember correctly, the theory has something to do with the crappy soils that foods are commonly grown in that are depleted of nutrients. there is a book on this subject that explains the theory. google the keywords. i can't remember the title or the author, or where i put the dang book. my pregnancy brain is legend this time around!!

i don't do this while pregnant or nursing, simply because i am unsure of the safety at high doses. but when i was not pg or nursing, it worked surprisingly well.

hope this helps.

[JessieBird]

I have always had some hyperpigmentation in splotches on my face even at the best of times and it is much worse during pregnancy. I have never tried to treat it but I am vigilant about staying out of the sun. I use a high value sunscreen every day of the year and only use makeup with sunscreen. I also have a great collection of sun hats and am hoping they come back in style soon. I have olive skin so I still manage to tan a bit despite all this covering up but it really does help to prevent the dark splotches from getting worse.

[ema-adama]

I suffered with melasma with my first pregnancy. And it never totally went away. So far it has not become darker.

I did find this interesting discussion. I don't know if copper is the whole story, but I am sure gut health has something to do with it.

Another good read. Explaining a bit more about how melasma develops and possible treatment.

I personally don'y use sunscreen, as I am keen to keep my vit D levels up, and the marks are not that dark, and mostly on my cheeks.