What should you know about dark spots from pregnancy?

Hormonal changes can stimulate pigment production, especially on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and jawline. Melasma often appears as fairly even brown or grey-brown patches on both sides of the face. Darkening can also affect the nipples, a line on the abdomen, scars, or areas that have been irritated. A new patch is not automatically melasma: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun spots, or tinea versicolor can look different and need separate assessment.

Use broad-spectrum sun protection, seek shade, and consider a hat when outdoors; visible light can also aggravate facial pigmentation for some people. Choose fragrance-free, gentle skincare and stop products that sting or cause peeling. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, check every active ingredient with a qualified clinician before using a pigment treatment. Once timing and feeding status are considered, options may include a supervised skin brightening treatment, chemical peel, or picosecond laser treatment for selected cases.

Book an assessment if one spot is changing quickly, has an irregular edge or several colours, bleeds, crusts, or differs clearly from the surrounding patches. Seek advice sooner if pigmentation comes with a persistent rash, scale, marked itch, or pain. A clinician can examine the pattern and avoid treating an infection or a concerning lesion as simple pregnancy pigmentation.

Ask what pattern the patches follow, which sunscreen and skincare ingredients fit your pregnancy or breastfeeding status, and when a procedure would be reasonable if the colour remains after pregnancy.