Hey guys,

Has anyone gotten dark spots on the cheeks while on HCG?? I have noticed almost a mask like look on my face latley. I did some searching, and found this post.

I have patches of darker skin on my face. Is this normal?

Absolutely. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 70 percent of pregnant women develop blotchy areas of darkened skin, commonly called the mask of pregnancy (but officially known as chloasma or melasma).

Women with darker complexions are more prone to this condition than women with lighter skin. The effects of chloasma may become more pronounced with each pregnancy.

The splotches can show up around your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead, sometimes in the shape of a mask (think Lone Ranger). They may also appear on your cheeks or along your jawline. You may develop dark patches on your forearms and other parts of your body that are exposed to the sun.

What's more, you may find that skin that is already more pigmented — such as your nipples, freckles, scars, and the skin around your genitals — becomes even darker during pregnancy. This also tends to happen in areas prone to friction, such as your underarms and inner thighs.

These changes are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in your body's production of melanin, the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. The areas of increased pigmentation will probably fade within a few months after delivery and your skin should return to its normal shade, although in some women the changes never completely disappear.