70% of pregnant women have this common skin condition, doctor sheds more light

Pregnancy comes with its share of changes, some familiar and others unexpected. Dr Kunal Sood took to Instagram to discuss melasma, a skin condition that affects nearly 70 percent of pregnant women.

• What is melasma?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “If you have melasma, you may experience light brown, dark brown, or blue-grey patches on your skin. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots.”

Most often, they are seen on the face, including the cheeks, upper lip, and forehead. In Dr Sood’s video, the woman also showed her forearms being affected, another common area.

Also read | Pregnancy tips: 7 simple exercises for safe, natural delivery

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A post shared by Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsoood)

• Causes of melasma

Explaining the cause, Dr Sood said, “Melasma is caused by elevated estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy, which stimulate melanocytes and increase melanin production.”

He added that it appears as patches that may darken with sun exposure. While harmless, it can be more noticeable in people with medium to darker skin tones, often making them feel self-conscious.

Also read | Post-pregnancy tips: Why the first 1,000 days are crucial for the child’s health future

• Treatments for melasma

Dr Sood suggested, “Daily sunscreen, even indoors, can help prevent it from worsening, since UV exposure makes it more persistent. In many cases, it fades after delivery, but if it lingers, gentle treatments may be an option later on with guidance from a healthcare provider.”

• What to avoid for better management

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, protecting your skin with sunscreen and sun-protective accessories such as sunglasses and hats can go a long way in managing melasma. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, as they can worsen the condition and reduce the effectiveness of treatments.

Visible light can also aggravate melasma, especially in people with darker skin tones. Hence, using a tinted sunscreen with iron oxide and SPF 30 or higher is essential.

To avoid irritating your skin, opt for gentle, fragrance-free products. Stay away from products that may cause burns or stinging. If you feel self-conscious, you may use tried-and-tested makeup products to cover the patches, but it’s best to consult a dermatologist before applying anything new to your skin.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.