Dark underarms while pregnant
How to Treat Dark Armpits During Pregnancy – RainbowBeauty
The body goes through significant changes during pregnancy. Your belly expands, your blood volume increases, and your heart rate and breathing rate become faster as your baby grows. Another change that can happen during the first few trimesters is dark underarms.
If you’ve noticed dark patches on your face, armpits, or anywhere else on the body, you may have melasma.
Here’s everything you need to know about this skin condition, and how to treat it.
WHAT IS MELASMA?
Melasma is a skin disorder that commonly affects pregnant women. It occurs when the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) in your skin produce extra pigment, often referred to as chloasma, or the “mask of pregnancy.”
Chloasma will not affect the wellness of your baby. It is merely a cosmetic concern that can be rather frustrating for moms-to-be. It is especially common in people with more pigment in their skin such as those of Latin, Hispanic, African, and Middle Eastern descent since they have more active melanin production.
Melasma is essentially darkening of the skin. Symptoms include dark spots, patches, or areas of the skin, like dark underarms. Pain or soreness are not symptoms if melasma. If you experience these symptoms, speak to your health care provider or dermatologist so that they can accurately diagnose your condition.
WHAT CAUSES DARK UNDERARMS?
According to the derms, skin hyperpigmentation during pregnancy can often occur due to hormonal changes, such as increased levels of estrogen, progesterone, and melanocyte-stimulating hormones. This skin discoloration commonly affects the underarm region, but it can also occur on the genitals, inner thighs, and areolas.
Other factors that may also increase the likelihood of skin pigmentation include excessive sun exposure, health conditions such as hyperthyroidism, and heredity (research shows that those darker skin tones are more commonly affected by skin darkening).
It’s nothing to be concerned about. More than 90% of pregnant women experience skin changes — usually in the third trimester.
However, if you’re looking to get rid of dark armpits during pregnancy, there are certain skincare products and home remedies that can help.
HOW TO TREAT DARK ARMPITS DURING PREGNANCY
Wear Sunscreen
Wearing a pregnancy-safe broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is essential for preventing melasma. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to the sun plays a key role in triggers pigmentation. Look for an SPF that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (mineral sunscreens), which are less irritating to the skin.
Apply every day, at least 20 minutes before going outside, to provide your skin with adequate protection. Re-apply every two hours.
Invest in a Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that’s known for its brightening effects. In addition to brightening your skin tone, vitamin C helps to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation while fending off free radicals for smooth, supple, discoloration-free skin.
Best of all, vitamin C is safe to use during pregnancy — and suitable for all skin types. Of course, if you experience any unpleasant side effects, remove it from your skincare routine immediately.
Try Rainbow’s Smooth Bundle, which features a vitamin C serum + mask designed for both the face and body. It also contains vegan collagen, which helps spur natural collagen production and restore elasticity for youthful, radiant-looking skin.
Gently Exfoliate
“A mild chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid or lactic acid is helpful,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. “However, avoid over-scrubbing the area, as this can actually make things worse.”
You’ll find chemical exfoliants in everything from cleansers to lotions and serums. Choose a gentle formula like Rainbow’s Glow Serum. It contains a brightening blend of glycolic acid and bakuchiol (a safe retinol alternative) to buff away dull, dead skin and reveal refresh, glowing skin underneath.
Besides brightening, it also offers very subtle skin lightening effects to fade away dark underarms.
Moisturize the Area
Moisturizing the underarm area is vital when it comes to keeping darkness at bay. That’s because moisturizers prevent dryness, which may increase the risk of irritation and darkening. If you’re experiencing blemishes during pregnancy, make sure you avoid a heavy, creamy formula that may block the pores. Stick to lightweight, non-comedogenic skincare products instead.
Reach for Rainbow’s Hydrate Serum. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, these two ingredients work in tandem to drench skin in lasting moisture. Besides nourishing and hydrating skin, this daily serum can also treat other pregnancy-related concerns like stretch marks.
Approach Hair Removal Carefully
Waxing and dry shaving, though safe during pregnancy, can cause skin inflammation that can exacerbate melasma. For that reason, it’s worth sticking to wet shaving to ensure a smooth, irritation-free shave without hyperpigmentation.
Consider Laser Treatment
Laser therapy can be a helpful in-office treatment for lightening dark underarms and dark lines. However, we recommend speaking to your dermatologist before booking an appointment to make sure you’re a suitable candidate for the treatment.
Try Topical Medications
If you’re melasma won’t go away, ask your dermatologist about topical treatments such as hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroids. These can help improve the appearance of dark armpits with consistent use.
Consider Home Remedies
If you’re looking for a natural way to fade dark underarms, there are a few worth trying. For starters: lemon juice. Mix together half fresh lemon juice and half cucumber juice, and apply to skin using fingers or a cotton pad.
Another effective home remedy is turmeric. Turmeric contains a polyphenol compound called curcumin that’s reported to supresses melanocyte activity.
Aloe vera gel is another excellent ingredient for treating discoloration, reducing inflammation, and brightening the skin.
Melasma might not be a life threatening condition, but it can be frustrating for those dealing with it. Fortunately, there are things you can do to alleviate discoloration under your arms or anywhere else you’re experiencing skin darkening.
We recommend giving the above skincare treatments and home remedies a try to effectively address skin hyperpigmentation. If you don’t see an improvement after four weeks, visit your dermatologist for professional guidance. You may be suffering from a completely different condition.
A Letter To Mama-To-Be – Forgotten Skincare
Dear Mama-To-Be,
You’re expecting a little bundle of joy and your body is definitely going through some changes. Stretch marks, swollen feet, hair growth, and of course, weight gain. These are all the things we hear pregnant women and mothers talk about constantly.
I feel you. When I found out I was pregnant, I just knew these things were going to happen to me. I felt resigned, but also excited (especially when it came to the hair growth). I knew these were the signs of motherhood, little changes that told me my beautiful baby was on her way. Even though I was not specifically looking forward to my ankles reaching the width of a can of beans, I was expecting it.
One thing I was not expecting was the hyperpigmentation. I knew a linea negra would form below my belly button (the dark line that’s a beautiful addition to many a-bump photo), but the patches of skin that darkened elsewhere during my pregnancy came as a shock to me. In my head, I questioned all of the mothers I knew. “Why had no one told me?” This side effect wasn’t mentioned in the YouTube videos or the articles I read. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that I’ve barely talked about it myself, despite the betrayal I felt at the lack of heads-up I received. That changes now.
Here’s your heads up.
So why does no one really talk about it? My guess is it’s linked to embarrassment due to how much of the realities of pregnancy are still generally a taboo-talking topic. Pregnancy hyperpigmentation also usually occurs in very private places-- your underarms, inner thighs, areolas, and what women of times past called your “unmentionables.” Increased hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is normal and natural, and happens to many more women than you might think. Let’s get into the science of it.
Why does hyperpigmentation occur?
Melanin is the natural pigment found in our bodies that gives color to our hair, eyes, and skin. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body experiences many endocrinological and hormonal changes. These changes often result in an increase in melanin, causing certain areas of her skin to become darker. When this darkness occurs on surface areas like your face or arms, it’s called melasma. These elevated melanin levels can also cause places that are naturally more melanin-rich (areolas, underarms, inner thighs) to become even darker.
These places also experience a lot of friction, so their melanin-production capabilities are basically supercharged. This type of hyperpigmentation is most common in women of color, who generally have more melanin present in their skin from the jump.
If you’re really concerned about the darker patches of skin, don’t worry. Much of the hyperpigmentation will fade sometime in the year after you give birth or when you finish breastfeeding. But it’s also completely normal for it to not fade entirely. You can help minimize hyperpigmentation by trying the following tips and tricks.
- Wear sunscreen when you go outside, even on cloudy or rainy days
- Use skin products formulated for sensitive skin like The Original Underarm Brightening Cream.
- Stop using aluminum or baking soda based deodorants that can cause irritation
- Research prenatal vitamin options that contain folate, which helps right hyperpigmentation
- Limit waxing often to avoid inflammation and an increase in melanin production
- Try clean skincare products that include ingredients like uva ursi extract, vitamin C and salicylic acid.
As always, consult with your doctor to make sure the product your using is right for you.
Going forward, I will make it a goal of mine to discuss this aspect of pregnancy more frequently. It’s another beautiful sign of everything our bodies go through to create life, so it shouldn’t be kept hushed up out of embarrassment. Also, talking about it more may help save a mom-to-be from the shock of how dark her butthole has gotten third trimester. It’s really our duty to be candid.
So mama, don’t stress about those dark patches. They’re completely normal and common and they do fade in time.
All the best,
Sola, Creator of The Mama & Mini Show
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Darkening of the skin during pregnancy (melasma or chloasma)!
Is it normal to have melanosma during pregnancy?
Yes, darker skin spots often appear in pregnant women, a condition called melasma or chloasma.
Melasma is also sometimes referred to as the pregnancy mask because the patches usually appear around the upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead in a mask-like pattern.
You may also develop dark spots on your cheeks, along your jawline, or on your forearms and other parts of your body that are exposed to the sun. What's more, skin that is already more pigmented - like your nipples, freckles, scars, and the skin of your bladders - can become even darker during pregnancy. This is also the case in areas subject to more friction, such as your armpits and inner thighs.
What causes melasma?
Melasma can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. Melanin is a natural substance that gives color to hair, skin and eyes.
Solar influence also plays a role. Women with darker complexions are more likely to develop melasma than women with fairer skin.
You can also get melasma if it runs in your family.
Is the black line related to melasma?
The same increase in melanin production that causes melasma on the face also causes a black line or dark line that you may notice in the lower abdomen.
Before pregnancy, the Alba line (white line) ran from the navel to the pubic bone, although you probably didn't notice it because it was the same color as the rest of your skin.
During pregnancy, pigmentation due to increased production of melanin turns the Alba line into a black line. The black line will likely return to its pre-pregnancy color a few months after you have your baby.
How can I prevent melasma from getting worse during pregnancy?
All skin pigmentation changes due to melasma usually disappear on their own after childbirth, but there are a few things you can do to safely minimize dark spots on your skin during pregnancy:
Use sun protection. This is very important because exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun causes melasma and increases pigmentary changes.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even when it's not sunny, and reapply frequently throughout the day if you're outside.
Even if you do not plan to leave the house or spend much time outdoors, it is recommended to use sun protection as part of your morning routine. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that your skin is exposed to significant UV light when you walk down the street, drive in a car, or even sit inside near a window.
When you are outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and a long-sleeved shirt if you have discoloration on your arms. Limit the time you spend in the sun, especially between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. And be sure to avoid tanning beds.
Do not use wax. The use of hair removal wax can cause skin inflammation that exacerbates melasma, especially in areas of your body that are affected by pigmentation changes.
Use hypoallergenic skin care products.
Cleansers and face creams that irritate your skin can make melasma worse.
Application of concealer. If dark spots bother you, cover them up with white and yellow makeup. Do not use skin whitening products during pregnancy.
Will I still have melanosma after pregnancy?
Melasma usually goes away without treatment after the baby is born. The darkened patches will likely disappear within a year of giving birth and your skin should return to its normal color, although sometimes the changes never fully disappear.
For some women, estrogen-containing contraceptives (such as the pill, patch, and vaginal ring) may also contribute to the development of melasma. If skin changes interfere, consider another birth control option.
If your skin is still blotchy and worrisome a few months after giving birth, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about your melasma treatment options. She may suggest using a bleaching cream containing hydroquinone (and possibly sunscreen), a topical medication containing tretinoin (retin-A), or a chemical peel such as glycolic acid.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant again in the near future, tell your doctor about it and consult with him before taking any over-the-counter medicines.
Don't expect instant results - improvement can take many months. If other treatments have failed, a dermatologist can lighten dark spots with laser treatment, but this is not the first option.
In any case, continue to protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen every day, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding the sun during peak hours.
Are dark spots on the skin during pregnancy a sign of illness?
Certain types of skin discoloration may be a sign of skin cancer or other medical problems.
Call your doctor if you have changes in skin pigmentation or pain, redness, or bleeding, or if you notice any change in the color, shape, or size of a mole.
You may be referred to a dermatologist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Darkening of the skin during pregnancy: myths, causes, treatments
Darkening of the skin during pregnancy:
myths, causes, treatments
One of our pregnant women friends was shocked when she suddenly noticed dark spots on her skin! Well, despite all the hype about the famous pregnancy glow, she's not expected to see this.
If you are pregnant and encounter the same problem, you should know that this condition is usually caused by fluctuations in hormone levels. Fortunately, it can be treated with safe options and natural remedies. We'll tell you why prevention is half the cure in this case.
Bleaching rate
Melasma, also known as like chloasma gravidarum, quite common during pregnancy. This can occur in 50.8% of pregnant women according to a study conducted in India. It is also referred to as the pregnancy mask in informal terms. Melasma can also recur with a second or more pregnancies.
Although there is no single causes of melasma, there may be several causes of it occurrence. One of them is higher levels of hormones, which produced during pregnancy. These include estrogen, progesterone and those that increase the production of melanin.
Melasma is a condition in which cells known as melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) activated by hormones.
The amount of melanin produced increases which makes the skin darker. It is the pigment that gives color to our skin, eyes and hair. Melasma may be due to hereditary causes. If your mother or aunt had melasma, you are more likely to get it.
If you have had or hyperthyroidism remains, you may develop melasma.
If you are exposed to exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun for long hours, you will also you can get this state.
Beginning of discoloration
In most cases skin discoloration due to melasma appears in the first and second trimesters pregnancy. However, it can start at any time during pregnancy. Timely precautions can avoid excessive darkening.
Note: Single a symptom that indicates melasma is darkening of the skin during pregnancy. If your dark spots show other symptoms such as itching, tenderness or pain when touched, you should see a dermatologist.
Areas of darkening
Melasma usually occurs around the upper lip, on the chin, forehead and around the nose symmetrically.
This appears as spots of brown or gray-brown skin, like a mask. It may occur even in places where the skin rubs against each other - armpits and inner thigh surface.
These stains can also appear along the jaw line and on the hands - in places exposed to sunlight. Already pigmented areas of your skin - scars, freckles, the nipples and genital area may even become darker than normal during pregnancy.
Did you know?
- Melasma occurs in all skin types, but is more common in women with darker skin.
- Women, who come from North Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, India and other parts of Asia and the Mediterranean are more likely to suffer from melasma than their European Caucasian counterparts.
- Recent studies show that melasma can be chronic and last for many years in most patients.
- Yours the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, even if you sit near a window or in a car.
- Melasma can even be caused by hormone replacement therapy or taking contraceptive pills.
Treatment Options
1. Search professional methods
Chemical treatment substances are not considered safe during pregnancy and lactation. Your dermatologist may prescribe a topical ointment containing azelaic acid, or a chemical peel containing glycolic acid, which is considered safe.
2. Apply high SPF sunscreen
sunscreen even when you are indoors. Choose a product with higher SPF, 30-50 or more. Look for ingredients that are safe for pregnant women, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are usually present in physical sunscreens. The product must be wide spectrum - protection from UVA and UVB rays.
3. Try natural remedies
There are several natural ingredients you can use to lighten patches of darkened skin caused by melasma.
Some of them may be used on their own, while others must be mixed in order to form a mask with various ingredients. All this is absolutely safe for use during pregnancy.
A. Lemon juice
Lemon juice has astringent properties as it is acidic in nature and naturally brightens the skin. Squeeze the juice from the lemons, dilute with a little water and apply to pigmented areas. Wash off after a while.
B. Turmeric
milk and turmeric. The curcumin present in turmeric can lighten pigmented areas. Turmeric can also be mixed with rose water, coconut milk and lemon juice to make a brightening mask.
C. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is mild and an effective way to lighten the skin. All you have to do is cut stem and extract the gel from the plant and directly apply it to the browning. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
D. Oatmeal
Oatmeal An excellent natural exfoliator. Apply an oatmeal mask mixed with honey and milk. Leave until completely dry and then rinse off. Removes dark brown spots and dead cells for a healthier looking skin bright.
E. Onion juice
In onion juice compounds that contain sulfur are present, which may aid in the removal darkened skin. They also provide food. Make a mixture of onion juice and organic apple cider vinegar and apply to the affected area.
F. Almond
Whether eaten or applied to the skin, almonds are very beneficial for skin health. It contains proteins and vitamin E, which can reduce the signs of melasma. Make a paste out of almonds, milk and honey and apply as a face mask. Wash off after drying.
Cucumber
amount of water and ideal for lightening pigmentation.
It may moisturize the skin, brightening dark areas.
H. Sandalwood
Sandalwood effective for lightening skin that has darkened due to melasma during pregnancy. You can use it in powder or oil form. mix bag with sandalwood powder and water for application. The mixture cools skin, reduces acne and irritation.
I. Papaya
Enzyme present in papaya, known as papain, can act as a natural exfoliator. Brightens skin and removes dead skin cells for a brighter complexion and brighter.
D. Potato
Potato contains azelaic acid, which is known to help reduce pigmentation, caused during pregnancy. All you have to do is grate potatoes and apply the raw juice to the darkened areas. Rinse after dry warm water.
K use to reduce skin darkening due to pregnancy. Soy contains fatty acids, isoflavones, and trypsin blockers, which may help reduce darkening.
Mix soy milk with tomato pulp and lemon juice. Apply to darkened areas, rinse when dry.
L. Orange Peel
Studies show that orange peel powder can be used to lighten skin. mix dried orange peel powder with honey and milk. Apply to darkened areas and rinse when dry.
M. Curd / Yoghurt
acids such as lactic acid, citric acid and glycolic acid, which can help reduce pigmentation in the skin. Make a mask with cottage cheese honey and oatmeal powder and apply to darkened areas. Wash off when dry.
Prophylactic options
1. Stay away from sun
If you are pregnant or already had melasma, which is now absent due to treatment, it is extremely important avoid the sun. This is because the state may return due to exposure UV rays. Wear a hat, sunglasses and a scarf to cover your face and neck when you are outside during the day.
