• Pregnancy and Menopause

During pregnancy and menopause a women undergoes a lot of bodily changes which affects the skin as well. And pigmentation is one of the changes.

Certain areas in your body tend to produce excessive melanin and genital area is more prone to darkening than any other body part.

Skin Lightening Remedy

"Since the skin around your genitals is very sensitive, it is advisable to let it remain as it is. In fact using any product to lighten it can cause irritation and may in turn add to the discolouration," explains Dr. Raut.

Dr. Raut Suggests:

• Keep your hygiene level as your top priority. Do not allow any infections to fester for long.
  
  
• Wear loose clothing. As far as possible do not wear lingerie when you are sleeping.
  
  
• Go for seamless panties. This will ensure lesser friction.
  
  
• Avoid shaving or waxing pubic hair. The constant friction created by these two methods can also leave the area darker. Possibly just trim the hair to a manageable level.

Dr. Jaishree Suggests:

• If hair removal is causing the problem, go for a permanent removal solution like laser removal. However, consult your gynaecologist and a qualified expert before going through the procedure. However, if your skin is sensitive, the laser can in fact burn the skin and make it darker.
  
  
• There are chemical peels available to lighten the skin like glycolic peeling. However, do it only from a reputed and qualified dermat. Most peels don't take more than two to three minutes. If kept for more than the required time, instead of lightening, it can darken the skin.
  
  
• If it is due to pregnancy or menopause, usually it the complexion will change over a period of time. Do not self medicate and use skin lightening or fairness creams. It happens due to hormonal imbalance in your body and any external applications wouldn't be of any help.
  
  
• If the darkening is due to fungus or allergy, treat the infection first before going for any skin lightening treatment. As a daily routine use an anti-fungal powder near the genital area after bath. Use brands only after consulting your gynaecologist and a dermat.
  
  
• If required you can use a mild skin lightening cream, however, do a patch test for at least a week to make sure that you are not allergic to the cream.