Melasma

[FTEngineerM]

Help!

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the garden since being off on maternity leave, I’m currently 38+2 and I’ve got the most awful Melasma on my face and most importantly moustache. It’s been slowly getting worse but now I can’t even bear to go outside because it’s so obvious.

How common is it? Are people literally looking at it and think ‘god she’s got hell of a tash’ ? Or do people generally know what it is?

I’ve googled ways to solve it with hydroquinone but they’re not for use during pregnancy.

Has anyone else had it? Does it take long to subside?

[Siobhan1989]

I’ve got it too! I don’t think there’s much we can do about it now in pregnancy, having researched and it should settle postpartum. For now just use some decent makeup and spf! I’ve been wearing factor 50 everyday since I noticed the ‘tash’ and I don’t think it’s gotten any worse 😅 also I sit under the parasol in my garden x

[mouse1234567]

I got this exact thing too-totally agree -it’s created a moustache effect. I remember I sat out in the garden in the early spring when it wasn’t even that hot and suddenly looked in the mirror and noticed it(admittedly I didn’t have lotion on) Since then I’m uber careful and wear a sun hat every time I go over and factor 50 -I think it is meant to go down after birth but I’m not taking any risks now I have spotted it. I basically just keep my head out the sun when I sit outside.

[ofwarren]

I got it during pregnancy and it faded a lot afterwards. It does come back if I don't use high factor sunscreen on my face in the sun though.

[wishing3]

I had it pre pregnancy and wear sun block (not just high factor )- I think it has zinc in or something. That’s stopped it getting worse in pregnancy so far. I tried hydroquinonine face stuff pre pregnancy but that didn’t help mine (sorry!). Just cover up, avoid too much heat and I bet it will go. Probs seems more noticeable to you than anyone else!

[FTEngineerM]

Thanks for the replies! It’s nice to read from experience it does actually fade postpartum. You might have saved me a few £££ @wishing3 if it wasn’t successful?

This certainly wasn’t something I’d expected when we started TTC and after a year got pregnant, I feel silly for even being bothered by it because it’s been quite a journey. It’s just on my bloody face and I can’t seem to hide it. I notice people looking down and I just cringe

A photo for context - there are other patches as you can see but none as bad as the tash!

[wishing3]

I had the ‘admire my skin’ one and it didn’t work. X

[LauraAnneTaylor]

Hi everyone,
I've had melasma for years since being pregnant with my boys. Forehead, top lip and under eyes.
I've tried laser, creams you name it.
My friend recommended Dermatica and it has been life changing, contact them to get your prescription and explain the melasma.
It took two months to see a real difference and I've never looked back. I've scrolled through here for years looking for something so I thought I better post so it can help you too.
X

[babygroups]

I should fade once the baby comes. Could you try fake tan on the rest of your face to make it look a bit more natural?