What is pigmentation during pregnancy?

Many young women will experience significant changes in their body and appearance after becoming pregnant. Not only will dark brown spots appear on their faces, but pigmentation and stretch marks will also appear on their abdomen, breasts, thighs and other parts of their bodies. This makes them very distressed and they fear that they will never be able to return to their original appearance in the future. In fact, the pigmentation that occurs during pregnancy will fade away after delivery, so pregnant women don’t need to worry. So, what is the cause of pigmentation in pregnant women? Take a look at the following article to resolve your doubts.

Due to the influence of estrogen and progesterone, the number of activated melanocytes increases significantly. Therefore, as the pregnancy progresses, pregnancy spots, mainly pigmentation and freckles, will appear under the eyes. Moreover, obvious pigmentation will form in areas where melanin is concentrated. The white line in the center of the abdomen will turn brown, and it is not uncommon for black to appear around the nipples, areolas, and armpits.

Melanocytes are not only activated by hormones, but also greatly increase in number due to external stimuli such as ultraviolet rays.

The pigmentation that occurs during pregnancy varies from person to person, but it will gradually lighten after delivery. However, most of them will not disappear completely, and some may only become lighter after a long time.

Block UV rays and take vitamin C. Pigmentation of the nipples, areolas and underarms is difficult to prevent. However, if you pay attention to sun protection, you can prevent the spots, freckles, pregnancy spots, etc. caused by the influence of ultraviolet rays from darkening to a certain extent. When going out, you should wear a hat or hold an umbrella to prevent direct sunlight, and apply sunscreen or use cosmetics with sun protection effect to block ultraviolet rays. The higher the SPF value, the better the effect of sunscreen cosmetics in blocking ultraviolet rays. However, the higher the SPF value, the more irritating it is and the more likely it is to cause dry skin. Therefore, it is recommended that expectant mothers choose sunscreen products with lower SPF values ​​and less irritation. As long as they are applied repeatedly, they will have a good sun protection effect. In addition, in order to reduce the activity of melanocytes, it is also important to take in enough vitamin C.

Causes of pigmentation:

Pigmentation such as spots and freckles appears because of the presence of melanocytes under the skin that produce melanin. Due to the influence of estrogen and progesterone, the number of activated melanocytes increases significantly. Therefore, as the pregnancy progresses, pregnancy spots, mainly pigmentation and freckles, will appear under the eyes. Moreover, obvious pigmentation will form in areas where melanin is concentrated. The white line in the center of the abdomen will turn brown, and it is not uncommon for black to appear around the nipples, areolas, and armpits.

The "director" that causes changes in a pregnant woman's appearance during pregnancy is the hormones in the body. In the early stages of pregnancy, hormones are mainly produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary. Later, when the demand for hormones increases, the placenta takes on the role of the "protagonist" in secreting hormones. At the same time, the workload of glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands also increases.

Among the many hormones, the secretion of estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin and prolactin plays a decisive role in some major metabolic activities in the pregnancy process. They effectively regulate the mother's metabolic process during pregnancy, promote the uterine tissue in the stage of vigorous development, are responsible for mobilizing the mother's reserves to meet the needs of fetal growth and development, and promote breast development.

However, increased hormone secretion can lead to pigmentation on the skin surface, and the "culprit" is cortisol in the pregnant woman's body. The mechanism is that the secretory function of the adrenal glands is enhanced after pregnancy, which leads to an increase in cortisol, thus causing stretch marks on the skin surface and dark brown spots on the face.

The above content is an explanation of what causes pigmentation in pregnant women. I hope it will help you understand the physical changes during pregnancy. The pigmentation that occurs during pregnancy varies from person to person, but it will gradually lighten after delivery. Although the spots will not disappear completely for most women, they may become lighter after a long time. It is recommended that you maintain a good attitude and spend your pregnancy happily.