Chloasma (or melasma) is a condition in which areas of skin become darker than the surrounding skin, often on the forehead, temples, cheeks or upper lip, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 70% of pregnant women may experience these blotchy areas of darkened skin.
This skin change is caused by a temporary and harmless increase in your body's production of melanin, the natural substance which gives colour to your hair, skin and irises, and the condition is strictly cosmetic. You won't feel ill, it won't be sore and it will start to fade once you have had your baby.
So what causes it?
Well the answer is that despite the strong connection to hormonal changes, no-one knows for certain, but the condition can be aggravated by some cosmetics or scented toiletries and exposure to the sun also increases your risk.
So to minimise the impact of chloasma:
Protect yourself from the sun, wear a hat with a brim when outside and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen when in the sun.
Avoid sun beds and tanning salons.
Use gentle cleansers and facial creams.
One suitable sunscreen product available from MumsTheWord.com is Belli Cosmetic's Anti-Chloasma Sunscreen, which is an SPF25 oil-free sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and can be worn alone or underneath makeup. Like all skin care products on the MumsTheWord site, the Belli Cosmetics range is designed specifically for pregnant women.
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