He chloasma it’s a type of gestational melasmathat is, a pigmentary disorder of the skin that affects women during pregnancy and that, although it may constitute an aesthetic concern, does not pose health risks of future mothers.
Las variations in female hormones during these months can lead to the appearance of brown or yellowish spots on the face. For this reason, this pathology is also called ‘pregnancy mask’because where these obscured patches are most located is around eyes, nose and cheeks.
However, we can also find them in other areas exposed to the sun such as the arms and neck.
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How to recognize chloasma?
Skin color changes result from alterations in the amount of melanin in the body, but not all hyperpigmentation problems respond to the same causesThey are not presented in the same way.
Las spots caused by chloasma or gestational melasma usually appear in the form symmetricthat is, on both sides of the face equally, and may be more superficial or deeper depending on its characteristics.
In the first case, this condition occurs in the epidermisand can be recognized because the darkened areas have about sharper edges and are located mainly in the center of the face.
Somewhat more difficult to treat is the chloasma dermal, which is, as its name indicates, the one that occurs in the dermis. We distinguish it from the previous type in that the spots usually have the more diffuse edges and we can find them in the side regions Of the face.
Why does it occur during pregnancy?
There are many factors behind these dreaded spots, but when we are most likely to see them is during pregnancy. For this reason, we talk about chloasma to refer to the phenomenon that only occurs in the months before delivery.
Los hormonal changes that are experienced during this stage leave a mark on the skinand many women observe, even from the earliest stages, darker patches on the areas around the eyes, on the cheeks and nose.
Chloasma must be diagnosed by specialists for its correct treatment.
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But, why is this happening? Well, the main cause that seems to cause chloasma is in the increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)one of the main during pregnancy.
Being responsible for controlling the menstrual cycle and stimulating the growth of the ovules, this hormone increases the activity of melanocytes. As a consequence, our body activates the secretion of melanin, which is the natural pigment of our skin, causing a darkening in the areas where these cells are located.
Can it appear in other cases?
actually yeah, but we would use another term to refer to it. As we indicated before, chloasma is exclusive to the gestational periodbut there are other types of melasma who can also answer hormonal factors, hereditary or related to sun exposureamong others.
In the first case, melasma can occur in those women who take contraceptives y treatments to relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Occasionally, the appearance of these spots is also associated with thyroid gland disordersand, in addition, we have also observed in recent years a certain genetic predisposition that affects to a greater extent high phototypesthat is, to people with darker skin.
Finally, with the arrival of summer we must take care of our skin more than ever, and it is that sun exposure —especially if we combine it with invasive laser treatments or with photosensitive medications— it can be really dangerous for our skin.
How to get rid of stains?
If these uncomfortable marks have already begun to address us, the best thing we can do is put ourselves in expert hands. Not all types of melasma are treated in the same wayso it is essential that we go to a specialist so that he can offer us a proper diagnosis and define what our case is.
To stop it, they usually use depigmenting topical drugssuch as hydroquinone, azelaic acid and retinol, formulated together with principles that help to better penetrate our skin.
In other cases, it is recommended to use pulsed light sources y scrubs chemicals and, if it resists us too much (under strict medical control) it is also fought with tranexamic acid.
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Proper skin care with sun protection is key to preventing melasma.
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In any case, There is no better ally in our battle against facial chloasma than prevention.. Use creams with a high sun protection factor It is essential in summer, as at any other time of the year, to keep our skin free of blemishes and protect it from burns and diseases.
*María Calvo is head of the Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine service at the Olympia center (Madrid) of the Quirónsalud group.
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