While it is a miracle to bring a life into this world, pregnancy certainly isn’t always easy. There is the weight gain, stretch marks, nausea, and even sacrificing food and drinks you normally love for the health of your baby. Then there are the women whose feet grow half a size for each baby born to them…not a very pleasant side effect, especially if you already have big feet! On top of all of that, many women also must deal with hyperpigmentation of the skin during pregnancy, too. This darkening of the skin can cause embarrassment, especially at a time when a woman is already self-conscience about her self image. Hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is caused by pregnancy hormones. These hormones can cause an over production of melanin, which is the pigment in our skin. During pregnancy, freckles, scars, and moles can appear darker and the “mask of pregnancy” may also make an appearance. This “mask” often looks like dark splotchy patches all over the face which can become worse with each pregnancy. Hyperpigmentation can not be treated during pregnancy, but after the baby is born, there are effective products to lighten the skin back to normal. Since you can not use products to treat the condition during pregnancy, it is recommended to wear a strong sunscreen at anytime you will be exposed to the sun, as the UV rays do make the condition appear worse. The spots that do remain after pregnancy are likely to fade over time, but it may seem like forever if you leave it to nature to get your skin back to normal. If you want to use a treatment for your pregnancy hyperpigmentation, Skin Rx recommends: Skin Lightener – with 3% Kojic Acid and 2% Hydroquinone, this is a powerful skin lightener that will eliminate stubborn dark patches on the skin Also try: Skin Lightening Kit – with the Skin Lightener, Microdermabrasion Peel, and Advanced Protection SPF 30 which work together for maximum results.