Pregnancy & Spots

I've never been pregnant so I'm not sure with everything that goes along with it but I do know that melasma is part of it sometimes. Well, I have this client who has these 2 dark spots on each of her knees (about a quarter size). She is no longer pregnant, but that is when they appeared. Her baby is now 9 months and the spots are still there and she said her sister has the same thing.

Has anyone seen or heard of this before? Is there any way to treat this? Will it fade? Any information that anyone has on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Claire Barnes on March 31, 2013 at 7:43pm

Oh the "mask of pregnancy" as they call it. In some people it does fade or go away completely. It can take up to a year for it to disappear. In some people it stays and doesn't leave. With each pregnancy it can get darker also. It is more common in women with darker complexions and is also hereditary and there is no way to treat it per se other than Retin A, bleaching creams and Glycolic ...Any area that has the dark melasma needs to have much more SPF on it, to prevent it getting darker. It is more common on the face, but of course they can appear anywhere on the body.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on April 1, 2013 at 4:59am

You know what's really funny?

I had never noticed anything like this before.

Then I have a client on Friday who has it. She told me her Mom had it too...but it went away now that she is older.

I am thinking there is a hormonal explanation here - but the knees? LOL

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Permalink Reply by Heather Margaret MacDonald on April 1, 2013 at 6:08pm

Sometimes, dark spots on the legs are an indication of diabetes; they're called Diabetic Dermopathy. They're not dangerous, but you might ask your client if she experienced gestational diabetes, as that might explain the dark patches. If she didn't, it might be a good idea to suggest she ask her doctor to check her blood sugar level.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Margaret MacDonald on April 1, 2013 at 6:09pm

Here's a useful link:http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-com...