[flyingspaghettimama]

Melasma, chloasma, whatever. I've avoided the sun all spring but went out today without sunscreen for about three hours. And what do you know, now I've got weird splotches on my cheeks, nose, inbetween eyebrows. Thick, dark brown splotches. I normally have light-olive skin, but have a grandmother (Western Band Cherokee&White) who has some wicked patches STILL after like, nine kids. This is the first time it's shown up, second pregnancy. I figured I was safe after the first one with no problems.

Is there something I can do to fix it? Will it really go away? Is there some sort of non-scary makeup (as in, no really scary chemicals) I can force myself to apply that would at least give me an even skin tone?

I usually wear no makeup, but right now it looks like I've colored all over my face with a dark brown pencil and it looks also like I might be a little unstable. Which I might be, but I'd rather it not be that apparent to the average passerby.

It is not a happenin' mama look. Any other darker-complexioned mamas with solutions?

 

[ZeldasMom]

Wear sunscreen and a hat (I wear a visor) religously. Prevent, prevent, prevent is the main thing you can do. For makeup I wear Revlon Colorstay. If you want something more opaque there is a brand they sell people with things like port wine stains called something like Dermablend (sp?). Some department store makeup counters have it. The containers are white (big help, I know). Too cakey looking for me though, so I am happy with the RC.

Mine faded but didn't completely go away after my first child. Once you are done breastfeeding apparently there is something a dermatologist can give you to help fade it (have not tried this since I am still nursing my first).

Just today my family practice doc was telling me that in some southeast asian cultures where fertility is highly valued, melasma on a woman's face is seen as a positive thing.

He also said melasma/chloasma used to be a way people used to confirm pregnancy back when everyone wore more clothes.

I wish I didn't have it either, but I'm trying to be as positive about it as I can. It helps to know that somewhere in the world it is a badge of honor!

 

[quelindo]

I wish I could offer you some advice, but this is my first pregnancy and I have it too. FWIW I'm very, very fair-skinned and thought I was being extremely cautious about wearing sunscreen and a hat, and I still have patches under my eyes. I look a bit raccoon-like.

From what I've read it doesn't sound like there's much you can do about it now, but a dermatologist should be able to help once you're done with the pregnancy (or done nursing).