My face never had melasma before, but suddenly I developed it after giving birth. Why?

Q: My face never had melasma before, but suddenly I developed it after giving birth. Why?

Many patients are shocked by this, even though they always use sunscreen regularly, rarely get exposed to strong sunlight, and no one in their family has had severe melasma. But as soon as they have a child, suddenly they have melasma all over their face. I have the answer. Postpartum melasma, also known as Melasma Gravidarum, is caused by the surge in estrogen and progesterone hormones during pregnancy. This stimulates melanin-producing cells to work abnormally hard, combined with increased photosensitivity, making it easier for brown patches to appear on the face, even if there was no prior history of melasma. Normally, this type of melasma fades on its own within a few months after hormone levels return to normal. However, it is essential to use sunscreen diligently and avoid stress to prevent the melasma from becoming permanent.

Dr. Apinya Saokaew

No. 49465

Many patients are shocked by this, because they always use sunscreen regularly, rarely get strong sun exposure, and no one in their family has thick melasma. But as soon as they have children, suddenly their faces are covered in melasma. The doctor has the answer.

Postpartum melasma Also known as Melasma Gravidarum, it is caused by a condition... Estrogen and progesterone hormones In the body, increases in melanin levels during pregnancy stimulate melanin-producing cells to work abnormally hard, combined with skin aging. Photosensitivity More often, this can cause brown patches to appear on the face, even if there was never any prior melasma. This type of melasma usually... It will fade on its own within a few months. After hormone levels return to normal, it is necessary to... Apply sunscreen diligently. And avoid stress to prevent melasma from becoming permanently embedded.

This answer provides only preliminary information. Please schedule an appointment with a doctor for a detailed examination and information.

The hormonal storm that brings pigmentation changes (Hormonal Changes)

The number one reason is... Changes in hormone levels Yes, during pregnancy, the body produces hormones. Estrogen (Estrogen) Progesterone (Progesterone) It rose very rapidly.

To give you a visual comparison. Normally, our melanin-producing factories (melanocytes) work in a regular 8-hour shift, but when exposed to these hormones, it's like the factory is told to stop. "Working a lot of overtime." The body produces excessive melanin, especially on the cheekbones, forehead, and nose, resulting in dark patches, which we call... "Melasma in pregnant women" (Chloasma or Mask of Pregnancy) That's right.

Skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight (Photosensitivity)

Are you aware that your skin will change during pregnancy and after childbirth? Delicate and especially sensitive to sunlight. Even though the patient felt they were exposed to the same amount of sunlight, their skin reacted more severely.

It's like our skin has a light switch on, waiting for just a little UV light to come on (even from a light bulb or phone screen). The pigments that are already on standby are ready to darken immediately, making melasma more visible after childbirth.

Stress and sleep deprivation

Becoming a new mother often comes with insufficient rest and accumulated stress. The body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which is the culprit. Stimulates free radicals. Beneath the skin, it weakens the skin's protective barrier and further delays the fading of melasma.

Certain medications or birth control pills.

After childbirth, if the patient starts taking it... ยาคุมกำเนิด For family planning purposes, the hormones in birth control pills are another factor that acts like fuel on a fire, causing melasma that should have faded to remain or become darker.

Why do some mothers avoid hormonal melasma?

The key factor is: congenital Yes, if our mother or female sisters developed melasma during pregnancy, we have a very high chance of developing it as well.

To give you a visual comparison. It's like we received it. Blueprint It's all about the pigment factory. Some people get the blueprint from a factory that works very hard; a little hormone stimulation and they produce a lot of pigment. But some factories are lazy; no matter how much you stimulate them, they don't produce much, which is why their skin remains clear.