Pregnancy spots are called chloasma and come about because pregnancy increases levels of hormones such as progesterone and melanin. It is precisely the latter that is used by the skin to protect it from solar radiation and is the cause of unsightly spots. These spots can also appear when we take oral contraceptives, so virtually all women are susceptible to getting spots on their skin at some point in their lives. Generally, they are harmless spots with irregular edges, but we must be careful if they get dark, if they itch, burn, or have volume, in these cases we should always consult a doctor.
These spots usually appear on the face (around the cheekbone or on the upper lip) but they can also appear all over the body (armpits, groin, or forearms) and are more common in women with darker skin. They also have a hereditary factor since women with a family history are more likely to get these spots. We will see how to prevent them and in case they have already appeared, how to treat them.
A good prevention is basic to firstly avoid that they are coming out and, secondly, in the case that we come out, you will be able to fight more effectively. It is especially important to use protection against solar radiation, either by avoiding exposure to the sun or by always protecting with a factor 50+ cream and reapplying it every 2 hours. It is important that we ALWAYS leave the house with our skin protected against UVA and UVB rays, even in winter and when it is cloudy.
It is also very important to hydrate the skin, both from the inside, drinking between 1.5 and 2 litres of water a day, and from the outside, using a moisturising cream in the morning and evening, as the skin is one of the organs that most feels the effects of pregnancy. It is also particularly important not to use abrasive soaps during pregnancy, as our skin can absorb these substances and affect the foetus, therefore, you should always use specific products that can be used during pregnancy. On the other hand, we should also avoid treatments such as peeling or dermabrasion since they can irritate the face.
Having a proper diet, with foods that contain a lot of water and nutrients also helps keep these spots from coming out. During pregnancy we should have a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, jellies, natural fruit ice cream…
If we still have spots, we can fight them with specific treatments. In some cases, the spots even disappear in the months after pregnancy or when we stop taking the oral contraceptive. First, we can use depigmenting creams, be aware that such treatments are long and probably not see results until after 6 months or even more and in some cases, the stain never goes away completely and you have to resort to another type of treatment, such as laser treatment. Depigmentation creams contain hydroquinone, which is a substance that inhibits the formation of pigment or azelaic acid, which in addition to inhibiting the formation of pigment, also improves acneic skin. This type of cream should only be used on the pigmented area as it could whiten healthy skin and always under the advice of a professional.
Do not forget that make-up is a technique that can always be used during the depigmentation process and as it is a spot without volume, it can be corrected and concealed using a medium-high coverage make-up base.
If you have had spots on your skin or are worried about having them, leave us a comment telling us your experience.
