Skin Darkening During Pregnancy & How It Is Caused

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Pregnancy is a very beautiful phase of a woman's life. The feeling of giving birth to a bundle of joy is beyond comparable. But pregnancy comes with its own set of problems.

Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in our body. We gain weight, our belly expands, we experience morning sickness, etc. All these are common affects of pregnancy but differ in some women.

Along with our body, another important change occurs in our skins. Our skin around our belly area expands along with the expanding stomach to accommodate the growing baby. This may result in dry skin, itchiness and rashes. Some women also experience discolouration of the skin.

Causes Of Dark Patches:

During pregnancy, a lot of women experience dark-coloured blotchy patches on their face and body. This condition is called Melasma or Chloasma.

These dark patches are sometimes referred to and known as mask of pregnancy. This is because, the pigmentation happens around the forehead, nose and cheekbones and takes the shape of a mask.
The pigmentation also happens in the underarms, jaw line, nipples and the skin on the genital area. This is due to the fact that our body secretes more melanin during pregnancy.

Some women experience more pigmentation than others when they expose themselves to sunlight. The skin in turn produces more melanin to reduce the damage done by the sun's rays.
This condition is temporary and may subside after the delivery.

Ways To Treat Melasma:

- Though the pigmentation is temporary, exposure to the sun can increase the dark patches. So, it is better to carry an umbrella and generously use a sunscreen when you are out in the sun.
- Avoid using harsh skin care products to your skin. Our skin is very sensitive during the pregnancy phase. Hence, irritating it with chemical products is never a good idea. There is a special line of products designed just for to-be moms, which are mild yet effective.

If you are experiencing a mild case of melasma during pregnancy, it will not be much of an issue. But some women have severe dark patches that may cause them to worry. Though it is a temporary condition, severe pigmentation can be managed by some Ayurvedic remedies.

Here are a few Ayurvedic remedies to manage skin pigmentation during pregnancy, take a look.

1) Grape Seed Oil:

Grape seed oil is great for treating Melasma. The oil is rich in proanthocyanidins, which effectively reduce the secretion of melanin and prevent dark patches.

Mix a few drops of grape seed oil along with coconut oil and apply it onto the affected areas - twice in a day.

2) Pomegranate Juice:

Fresh pomegranate juice contains ellagic acids, which are found to lighten melasma patches.

Peel a fresh pomegranate and blend the seeds in a blender. Strain and extract the juice. Massage this on the affected areas regularly.

3) Aloe Vera Gel:

Our skin during pregnancy tends to become dry. Aloe vera is a perfect remedy for both discolouration and dry skin. It also treats the skin from sun damage.

Extract the gel from fresh aloe leaf and massage it onto the affected area. Keep it on for 15 minutes and wash off.

4) Sandalwood Paste:

Sandalwood has cooling as well as bleaching benefits. It also reduces skin irritation, as it is very mild.

1 teaspoon of sandalwood paste should be mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and then mixed into a paste. Apply this on the affected area and wash it off after 15 minutes.

5) Almond Milk:

Almonds are high in protein and Vitamin E, which lighten the skin's complexion as well as nourish the skin to remove dryness.

Soak a handful of almonds overnight. Peel them and blend them in a blender along with minimum water. Strain the milk and apply it onto the affected area.