Preparing for motherhood is a busy time, filled with a seemingly endless to-do list and a lot of joyful anticipation. But for some expectant mothers, one of the changes that is less exciting is hyperpigmentation, also called melasma.
If you live in or near Mamaroneck, New York, and Westchester County, you can rely on the team at Her Secret MedSpa for treatment options that can lighten or eliminate melasma after you welcome your newest family member.
Pregnancy brings about an astounding array of hormonal changes, and your hormones can shift not just during the early stages of pregnancy, but throughout your journey and even in the months following childbirth, known as the postpartum period.
These hormonal changes can cause dark spots on your face and sometimes your forearms. The spots can look like freckles or flat patches of discoloration. They can be dark brown, light brown, or blue/gray in color. You may only notice a few small spots, or they can cover a significant portion of your cheeks, forehead, and upper lip.
Some women will notice their melasma fading gradually over time. But for many, these dark spots linger long after you’ve adjusted to your infant’s sleep schedule. Very often, melasma that has faded over time will darken again with sun exposure.
Fortunately, there are treatments that can help lighten the “mask of pregnancy” and bring your complexion back to what it was before you welcomed your bundle of joy. Chemical peels are one option, and rely on a chemical solution to remove the outermost layers of dead skin, revealing a fresh layer of healthy skin cells.
There are also medicated creams that can help lighten your skin, making dark spots less noticeable over time. It’s important to let your provider know if you are breastfeeding, however, since not all medications are safe to use for breastfeeding mothers.
Microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation treatment that can also remove layers of dead skin. There are no chemicals involved, and treatments require little in the way of skin recovery. Microneedling is another option, and uses sterile treatment needles to penetrate into the deeper layers of skin and prompt a healing reaction that can break apart concentrations of pigment.
No matter which option you select, using a high-quality sunscreen every day is absolutely essential to prevent dark spots from returning or to keep new spots from developing. Find a sunscreen formulated for your skin type and make it part of your daily skincare routine.
When you’re ready to explore treatment options for postpartum hyperpigmentation, schedule a one-on-one consultation at Her Secret MedSpa. You can set up your visit online or by phone at your earliest convenience.
