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BREASTS & SKIN DURING PREGNANCY
SKIN DISCOLORATION
Breasts enlarge during pregnancy because of hormonal changes. The nipple area becomes darker. This is natural. Other parts of the skin may become discolored - the neck, the face, and a line down the middle or lower part of the abdomen. These changes are temporary and normally disappear after delivery.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 70 percent of pregnant women develop blotchy areas of darkened skin, commonly called the mask of pregnancy (but officially known as chloasma or melasma). Women with darker complexions are more prone to this condition than women with lighter skin. The effects of chloasma may become more pronounced with each pregnancy. The splotches can show up around your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead, sometimes in the shape of a mask (think Lone Ranger). They may also appear on your cheeks or along your jawline. You may develop dark patches on your forearms and other parts of your body that are exposed to the sun. What's more, you may find that skin that is already more pigmented - such as your nipples, freckles, scars, and the skin around your genitals - becomes even darker during pregnancy. This also tends to happen in areas prone to friction, such as your underarms and inner thighs. These changes are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in your body's production of melanin, the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. The areas of increased pigmentation will probably fade within a few months after delivery and your skin should return to its normal shade, although in some women the changes never completely disappear.
The dark line running down your belly is called the linea nigra. Before pregnancy, there was a line called the linea alba running from your belly button to your pubic bone. You probably didn't notice it, though, because it was the same color as the rest of your skin. The same increased production of melanin that causes facial splotches is responsible for darkening this line on your belly. It will probably fade back to its pre-pregnant color several months after you deliver your baby.
Skin pigmentation changes usually disappear on their own after delivery. but may linger for years after discontinuing birth control pills. Here are some suggestions you can try to safely minimize skin discoloration in the meantime:
Eat foods that contain folic acid (you'll also get plenty in your prenatal supplement), since studies have shown that a folate deficiency can be related to hyperpigmentation.
MoonDragon's Nutritional Guidelines
There is a link between cloasma and elevated levels of certain hormones; there is also a connection with deficiencies of folic acid and PABA. Cloasma may appear or worsen considerably after exposure to sunlight. A PABA sunscreen, a wide-rimmed hat or coating the face with St. John's / St. Joan's Wort oil will decrease the possibility.
Be sure to obtain enough folic acid (800 mcg daily) in your diet daily (5 mg supplement before each meal, unless you have epileptic seizures - the pill supplements of folic acid with doses over 1 mg daily may increase seizures.). Include PABA in your diet. Foods rich in PABA and folic acid include nutritional yeast, fresh fruits and vegetables, wheat germ, molasses, whole grains, liver, mushrooms. This will help with the "mask of pregnancy" (the dark blotches on the skin of the face).
- Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 800 mcg, 100 Caps
- PABA / Para-aminobenzoic Acid, NOW Foods, 500 mg, 100 Caps
Protect yourself from the sun: This is crucial because exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays intensifies pigment changes. Use a broad-spectrum sunblock (a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with SPF 30 or higher every day, whether it's sunny or not, and reapply often during the course of the day if you're outside.
In fact, even if you don't plan to leave the house or spend much time outside, make applying sun protection part of your morning routine. The American Academy of Dermatology cautions that your skin is exposed to a significant amount of UV light when you do things like walk down the street, ride in a car, or even sit inside near a window. When you're outside, cover up and wear a hat with a brim, as well as a shirt with long sleeves if you have pigmentation changes on your arms. Limit the time you spend in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. And definitely avoid tanning salons.
Use gentle cleansers and facial creams. Preparations that irritate your skin may make the problem worse.
- Natural Soaps, Cleansers, Massage Oil Bars, Body Wash Products
- Natural Lotions, Creams, Masks, Skin Products
Apply a concealing makeup. (Don't use skin-bleaching products now. Wait to see if the pigmentation changes go away after you give birth.)
After you have your baby, continue to protect your skin from the sun! Use sunscreen, cover up, and stay out of the sun at midday. In most cases, the discolorations will slowly fade without any treatment. For a small number of women, however, contraceptives that contain estrogen (such as the Pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) can contribute to chloasma. If the skin changes are bothersome, consider another birth control option. If your skin is still blotchy after a few months and it's bothering you, talk to your practitioner or a dermatologist about treatment options. She may suggest using a bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone (some of which also contain sunscreen), a topical medication that contains tretinoin (Retin-A), or a chemical peel such as glycolic acid. Of course, if you're breastfeeding or plan on becoming pregnant again soon, be sure to let your practitioners know and also check in before using any over-the-counter treatments. Don't expect instant results - it may take many months to see improvement. In rare cases, dermatologists can use laser treatments to remove the darkened skin, but that's not the first option. Whatever approach you take, it's crucial to continue protecting yourself from the sun during treatment and afterward.
Certain types of skin discoloration can be a symptom of skin cancer or other medical problems, so let your practitioner know if changes in skin pigmentation are accompanied by pain, tenderness, redness, or bleeding, or if you notice any changes in the color, shape, or size of a mole. You may be referred to a dermatologist who can determine the cause of the changes and the appropriate treatment, if any.
ACNE OUTBREAKS
Acne can flair up during pregnancy. Your skin may become more oily than usual or dry, or a combination of the two, depending upon your individual body system. Do not use makeup on your skin if it is broken out. Keep your skin as clean as possible.
STRETCH MARKS
Use a moistening lotion, elastin cream and/or cocoa butter around the abdomen and breasts to guard against stretch marks as much as possible. Use sunscreen on skin areas exposed to the sun. Try the following recipe for preventing stretch marks:1/2 cup virgin olive oil
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
6 capsules of vitamin E, cut open
4 capsules of vitamin A, cut open
Mix all the ingredients together in a blender.
Pour the mixture into a jar and store it in the refrigerator.
Once a day... Apply the oil externally all over the abdomen, hips and thighs - all the places where stretch marks commonly appear (breasts too, if needed).
- Stretch Marks / Scars / Acne Scar Supplements, Information & Products
SORE OR SENSITIVE NIPPLES
Lanolin cream made with pure lanolin is helpful for nipples. These need to be "toughened up" for breast-feeding after the baby is born. Massage some lanolin into the breast nipples a few times each day. This is also good for after the baby is born and has began to nurse. It prevents cracked and bleeding nipples.
ITCHING SKIN
One of the most irritating nuisances of pregnancy is itching skin. In general, this is caused by an overtaxed liver. A good recommendation is to take dandelion root tincture (Taraxacum officinale) twice daily. As the liver is nurtured and strengthened, the itching will stop, or at least lessen considerably. Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) is also a good treatment for itching. Both these plants are mildly cathartic (help empty the bowels) and diuretic, which is useful for removing toxins from the stressed liver.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or a family member has questions about pregnancy, skin and breast care. If skin becomes irritated, infected, or worse after treatment, consult a dermatologist.
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