Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMelasma and Birth ControlWhat Types of Birth Control Don’t Cause Melasma?Treating Melasma From Birth ControlWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Melasma and Birth Control
What Types of Birth Control Don’t Cause Melasma?
Treating Melasma From Birth Control
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Melasmais a condition that causes dark patches, spots, or blotches on the skin. It affects any part of your skin exposed to the sun and often appears on the forehead, nose, chin, cheeks, and upper lip areas.
This article reviews the link between melasma and hormonal birth control. It also covers birth control methods that don’t cause melasma, when to see the healthcare provider and treatment.
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The Link Between Melasma and Birth Control
Oral contraceptives (hormonal birth controlpills or OCPs), hormone replacement therapy, and pregnancy cause estrogen levels to rise, increasing pigment production.
While melasma can affect anyone, it is more common in young women. For women over 50, dark spots are usually due to age and sun exposure rather than hormones.
How Common Is Melasma As a Symptom of Birth Control?
The following are statistics regarding melasma:
Birth control methods that don’t involve hormones like estrogen and progesterone do not cause melasma.
Commonnon-hormonal birth controlmethods include:
While barrier methods such as condoms offer the added benefit of preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), some people prefer oral contraceptive pills.This could be because it gives them more control over pregnancy prevention, or they take them fortreatment of period problems.
There is little documented about melasma and IUDs, but a small study showed improvements after switching to alevonorgestrel-releasing IUD.Talk to your healthcare provider to learn if an IUD is right for you.
9 Non-Hormonal Birth Control Options
Treating melasma starts with decreasing sun exposure and talking with your healthcare provider about changing birth control methods. It usually fades once you stop taking hormonal birth control.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend a combination of treatments, including topical (on the skin) prescription medications and brightening creams.Melasma is not harmful, so treatment is strictly cosmetic and optional.
Minimizing Sun ExposureSun exposure causes your skin to make more pigment, worsening melasma. The following can help protect your skin from the sun:HatsStay in the shade or use an umbrellaSunglassesSun shirtsSunscreen
Minimizing Sun Exposure
Sun exposure causes your skin to make more pigment, worsening melasma. The following can help protect your skin from the sun:HatsStay in the shade or use an umbrellaSunglassesSun shirtsSunscreen
Sun exposure causes your skin to make more pigment, worsening melasma. The following can help protect your skin from the sun:
Topicalskin lighteningcreams include:
Specialty TreatmentsLow-fluence Q-switched (LFQS) laser therapy is one of the best specialty skin treatments for melasma. Chemical peels have been studied, but research shows that topical hydroquinone or combination creams are more effective.
Specialty Treatments
Low-fluence Q-switched (LFQS) laser therapy is one of the best specialty skin treatments for melasma. Chemical peels have been studied, but research shows that topical hydroquinone or combination creams are more effective.
Some small studies show that over-the-counter (OTC) skincare products with the following ingredients have some success in decreasing hyperpigmentation:
Does Melasma Go Away Naturally Over Time?
While melasma is harmless, it’s best to see a healthcare provider specializing in dermatology before starting treatment so they can rule out other conditions that could cause melasma.
Contact your healthcare provider for the following as well:
Summary
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes dark patches on the skin. Female hormone shifts from pregnancy or hormonal birth control can cause melasma. Treatment usually involves stopping hormonal birth control, minimizing sun exposure, topical medications, or specialty treatments. Talk with your healthcare provider before stopping birth control. They may suggest other forms of birth control, such as an IUD or barrier device.
A Word From Verywell
Yes, melasma or dark spots on the skin are associated with increased female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This is a common condition in pregnant people or those taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.
Melasma can get darker with sun exposure, pregnancy, or hormonal birth control. It can also darken during treatment as the pigment is pulled to the surface before it sheds away. If it fades and returns, long-term treatment may be needed.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Locci-Molina M, Wang A, Kroumpouzos, G.Melasma improving spontaneously upon switching from a combined oral contraceptive to a hormone-releasing intrauterine device: a report of four cases.Acta Derm Venereol. 2015;95:624–625. doi:10.2340/00015555-2013
Planned Parenthood.What are the best birth control options that aren’t hormonal?
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