Daylily Paris is a brand of clean, sensory and effective skincare products, made in France and 100% compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. We are also committed to sharing quality information for informed and uninhibited motherhood. 🧡
- So, how is this famous pregnancy mask formed?
- When are we likely to catch it?
- What precautions should be taken on sunny days?
So, how is this famous pregnancy mask formed?
The appearance of spots on the face generally results from the combination of two factors: exposure to the sun and a hormonal change. Because the pregnancy mask, despite its name, is not reserved only for pregnant women: a new contraceptive pill, for example, can modify your hormonal balance, increase the pigmentation of your skin and give rise to brown spots if you expose without sun protection.
So imagine what happens during pregnancy, your hormones are in full swing, and with your estrogen levels reaching new heights! When you're expecting a baby, your body creates an overproduction of melanin . It is this dark-colored pigment, produced naturally deep in the epidermis by melanocytes, and which gives its color to the skin. The amount of melanin we have depends on our “genetic background”. The darker our skin and hair, the more melanin we produce. Thus, brown women with dark skin will be the most prone to the pregnancy mask. But be careful, this doesn't mean that a fair-skinned blonde woman will necessarily be exempt (well no, that would be too easy!).
When are we likely to catch it?
It is said that melasma generally appears from the 4th month of pregnancy . It can even appear after childbirth if you breastfeed your child (again, this hormonal upheaval is the cause). Obviously, this is a general rule and many exceptions confirm the rule... I speak with full knowledge of the facts since I, Audrey (co-founder of Daylily Paris editor's note), was unfortunately the victim of this mask and it appeared in my 2nd month of pregnancy ! To the wise…
Back to our point, this increased and anarchic production of melanin due to your hormones is even more accentuated with UVA and UVB rays . So all it takes is a short walk outside or a lunch on the terrace, and exposing yourself even indirectly (behind the window of a car or a window) for this ugly mask of pregnancy to appear. So I'm not even talking to you about what happens if you spend an afternoon at the beach, comfortably seated on your deckchair...!
What precautions should be taken on sunny days?
Whether it's hot or not (so let's be clear, even if it's 10°C but the sky is clear with beautiful sunshine): Always apply a sunscreen with a minimum factor of 50 to the skin of your face, neckline and shoulders
- Avoid exposure to the sun between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Wear a wide hat and sunglasses
Concerning sun creams , here too you will have to be careful, because most of them contain sun filters classified as endocrine disruptors . Others are irritating or contain nanoparticles . All of these ingredients are not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
To help you sort things out a little, here are the main ingredients not recommended for your health, to look for in the compositions of your sunscreen products before buying and using them:
- Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone),
- Homosalate (HMS) 4MBC,
- Octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC),
- octyl-dymethylPABA (OD-PABA)
-BHT
- Butylparaben
-Cyclomethicone
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Phenoxyethanol
- Propylparaben
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- And nanoparticles: they are indicated on the ingredient lists in this form: [nano]
To learn more about the subject, you can take a look at our article on ingredients not recommended during pregnancy .
And if you don't want to go to the trouble of going through all the lists of ingredients that are often difficult to decipher (as we understand), we have formulated the Radiant Cream SPF 50+ just for you (the Holy Grail)! It effectively fights against the sun's UV rays thanks to its organic filters and its new day cream formula also hydrates your skin, while providing anti-aging and anti-pollution action . And as we take particular care with our textures and odors, this cream will not leave you with white marks, but a real transparent finish . It is not greasy (to avoid shining brightly!) and its sweet fragrance will delight your sensitive sense of smell... Best of all, it is suitable for all skin types!
Okay, and if you say to me: “ok, thank you for all this information but now it’s too late, I caught it!” When will he leave? Can I make it disappear? »
I might as well be frank, I don't only have good news... Removing the pregnancy mask is a long-term job and requires a lot of patience. Once it shows up, it won't go away right away. In fact, it generally disappears several months after giving birth and if you choose to breastfeed, you will have to wait a few more months after breastfeeding has completely stopped. In most cases, it disappears spontaneously. But it happens that it lasts and does not fade completely, it could settle on your face several months or even several years after birth. When the pregnancy mask remains on the face, it tends to be more visible on sunnier days. You should therefore not hesitate to consult your dermatologist so that he can prescribe the best treatment according to your skin type and the extent of the damage. In particular, he may offer you a gentle peel or prescribe depigmenting creams based on hydroquinone, acidic vitamin A or corticosteroids. Applied in the evening, these creams act on the pigmentation of the skin and fade brown spots. In all cases, and to obtain good results, you will need to continue to imitate sun exposure and protect your skin during the day with an index 50+ cream.
So let's recap: to avoid the pregnancy mask, remember to wear a hat and sunglasses and apply maximum sun protection to your face, neck and neckline, suitable for a pregnant woman.
And as with stretch marks, prevention is better than cure ... and our Belle Enceinte set composed of the Stretch Marks Ritual and our Radiant Cream SPF 50+ is perfect to accompany you during your pregnancy and take care of your face, as well as your body!
