Dark Spots during Pregnancy

Changes on the skin are not uncommon for pregnant women and today we will be addressing one of those changes – dark spots. These spots are usually most common on the face, but they can also be present on other parts of the body.

In this article we will try to get to the bottom of this issue, talk more about its origin and cause so you can get to know it better and deal with it appropriately.

Medical Classification

These changes on the skin are classified as chloasma. This is a skin condition where dark or brown spots appear on the skin during pregnancy. They will, most commonly, appear on the forehead, cheeks jaw, nose and around the lips.

I said that they are most common on the face, but they can affect other regions of the body – area around the belly button and the genital region. Also, it is important to note that scars and moles on your body may also become darker.

This is not a cause for concern, since the cause for this pigmentation and darkening of your skin lies in the increased production of melanin – pigment responsible for skin coloration. Most common reason for the overproduction of this pigment are hormones.

This hormonal disbalance is quite normal and it is present in every pregnancy, it just manifests itself differently based on the overall health of the individual.

Will They Ever Go Away

These spots can be really annoying, especially if you are one of those self-aware people who do not tolerate any skin imperfections. If this is the case, I`m sure you take a look at yourself in the mirror at least once every wondering if they will ever go away.

The good news is they will! And they will often go away on their own. When the baby is born and after your body starts to return to normal, the hormones will start to balance out and the spots will recede.

For this very reason, most doctors do not advise using any products or skin bleaching/whitening procedures. There are some drastic treatments which include:

• Laser treatment
• Chemicals
• Specialized products

but it would be best if you avoided them, at least until the baby is born. If those spots persist and do not go away on their own after pregnancy, then and only then you should try to do something about them.

During pregnancy, the only things you need to pay attention to are your baby and your health. Taking care of your looks should be the least of your concerns. I know that some of you might find this hard and annoying, but just remember you are doing it for your child.

Final Words

As you can see, dark and brown spots during pregnancy are not the reason for concern. They will, in most cases, go away on their own, leaving no marks or scars.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, maybe some severe coloration or particularly large dark spots, you can consult your doctor. We are all different and we will deal with these changes differently, so don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have some health concerns!