Melasma, also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, is a condition which is very common in pregnant women. This does not mean that only pregnant women can get melasmas; women of all ages can be affected by this condition - and so are men sometimes.
Melasma is a condition in which certain areas of the skin become darker than the surrounding skin. This darkening of the skin is called hyperpigmentation, and it usually occurs in the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks and above the upper lip. These dark patches can appear on both sides of the face in almost identical patterns, and can be any shade of colour between tan and deep brown.
It’s very rare for these dark patches to appear in other sun-exposed areas of the body than the face. Hormonal imbalance is considered to be the main reason behind melasamas, which explains why it’s common in pregnant women. Because melasmas affect appearance, having dark patches on your face - especially during pregnancy, when most women face mood swings - can be quite distressing and can even affect your quality of life.
However, it’s very important to remember that melasmas are caused by hormones, and once the hormonal upheaval is done - after you deliver your baby - the dark patches will likely disappear by themselves. If they do not, you should consult a dermatologist, and he or she will give you therapeutic recommendations to cure the melasma.
Read more: After delivery care for the mother