Melasma - dark skin spots

[Meg1912]

Exactly!!!!
Like really, I honestly had no idea I have a dark spot in the middle of my forehead! The other day my nutritionist pointed it out as it was the first time I had a face to face appointment. Couple days later my gynecologist brought it up too. Told me to use an exfoliater. If only it was that simple!!!!
I love a golden tan and refuse to stop sunbathing because of melasma. I did blood tests two weeks ago and my vitamin d was really low!!
Yeah it's not easy having to wait for colder months to do something about it, but at least it's something to look forward to. Two weeks ago I honestly thought there was no hope to get rid of them!
This is a before and after from the doctor I'll go to!!!

 

[Meg1912]

Hi ladies! I wanted to give an update! So I had my appointment with the dermatologist. I had looked it up and read a blog post about a girl with melasma who had gone to this doctor and said her melasma was gone thanks to him.
I waited until October so my skin tone would be lighter. My appointment was super quick, he asked for how long I had it, I took my mask so he could see my dark spots and he asked if I had ever done any treatment. He then asked if I had ever tried a manipulated cream (no idea if it's called that in English but here it means it's a cream specifically made to your needs, a list of ingredients and respective % created in a lab). I said no. He then prescribed one for me, so I do it every night and then a serum, spf for me to apply every morning as well as vitamin D capsules. He said for me to apply the manipulated cream, which contains acids, every single night during 3 weeks and then stop 3 nights before my next appointment so he'll do a peeling.
I didn't have high expectations for the cream as I thought it would just prepare my skin for the peeling, but boy oh boy was I shocked!
TWO nights after I started the treatment, my upper lip mark faded about 50% and now about 80%!!!!! What it does is remove top layer of skin where the dark spots are. It doesn't hurt at all, just burns a little. In the morning I'm like a little kid during Xmas excited to see how I look! I use cotton pads with micelar water and it's amazing seeing the dark bits come off!!
I'm so so happy and barely recognise myself in the miror.
I was always so self-conscious about it and wherever I go with my husband, including our wedding, honeymoon, I always dread taking photos as it always looked like I had a huge moustache!

 

[Meg1912]

Same here!!!! I started having it 3 years ago (I'm 36 btw) on my forehead, upper lip and cheeks and the forehead and upper lip ones drive me nuts.
For me it's people's comments that are really difficult to deal with. Whyyyy does everyone feel the need to point the obvious?
I've tried sooo many different creams and some ridiculously expensive, like Esthederm sun screen, but absolutely none have worked.
I've decided to go to a dermatologist in October, who I've seen has done treatments with INCREDIBLE results. I really hope it'll help.
Stay strong, ladies!

 

[rebremm99]

The comments are the worst!! Like I am well aware of it there’s no need to point it out I really hope the dermatologist goes well for you! The guy I saw for laser showed me his before and afters and the results are amazing, but he said to wait until the winter because my face is so tanned now it could leave discoloration. I can’t wait that long stay strong you too x

 

[rebremm99]

Anyone here suffer with Melasma on their face and has any products that have helped?
About a month ago I noticed a dark patch on my forehead and since then it’s gotten really dark and now I have a small one on my upper lip too
I have medium/dark skin tone and always wear factor 50. Saw a laser skin therapist but they can’t help me at the moment because my face is so tanned (I’d tan in the dark, don’t go out seeking the sun at all). I’m at my wits end, I feel hideous and make up doesn’t even cover it please anyone if you have any miracle products or success stories I’d love to hear them!

 

[RipleyP83]

I know, people can be so cruel Why would you point out something about someone’s face? Or any part of their body for that matter! I’m 37 and have had it for about the last 4 years Good luck on your Melasma journeys too!

 

[RipleyP83]

I know exactly how you feel I’ve suffered with Melasma for so long and it’s made me so self conscious, various factors have caused mine mainly medication I’m on for an autoimmune disease and the pill. I’m so paranoid about going out in the sun. Even just getting hot makes mine worse, I also wear factor 50 on my face
BUT I have recently (about 6 weeks) been using the new Nivea Luminous Celluar 630 serum as well as Boots own Niacinamide and i cannot believe what a difference it’s made to my skin, it’s smoother, clearer and my pigmentation had reduced dramatically. I can actually leave the house without foundation…I recommend this highly and if you do purchase this I hope it has the same results for you!

 

[Meg1912]

Reviving this thread with a recommendation. I bought the Eucerin anti pigment cream like 2 weeks ago and since using it my melasma mustache has completely vanished ! The huge one on my forehead isn’t budging but oh my god I am so relieved the mustache is gone!

Really????? Congrats!!!!
I'm totally going to buy it in the hopes I can also be mustache free!!
Which one did you buy, the one for night, day or serum??

 

[rebremm99]

Thank you so much for the reply! I’m going to pick some up tomorrow and hopefully it’ll help me too. It’s the patch on my upper lip getting me down the most, it looks like a mustache

 

[thunderfook]

Guys, I’ve had cryopen for dark spots and it worked a treat. The scar area is slightly whiter than my skin, but isn’t raised and is barely noticeable (I only realised when I was looking at my pores in a magnified mirror). Retinol can also be prescribed, but take a long time and patience.

 

[Upintheair83]

Hi ladies! I wanted to give an update! So I had my appointment with the dermatologist. I had looked it up and read a blog post about a girl with melasma who had gone to this doctor and said her melasma was gone thanks to him.
I waited until October so my skin tone would be lighter. My appointment was super quick, he asked for how long I had it, I took my mask so he could see my dark spots and he asked if I had ever done any treatment. He then asked if I had ever tried a manipulated cream (no idea if it's called that in English but here it means it's a cream specifically made to your needs, a list of ingredients and respective % created in a lab). I said no. He then prescribed one for me, so I do it every night and then a serum, spf for me to apply every morning as well as vitamin D capsules. He said for me to apply the manipulated cream, which contains acids, every single night during 3 weeks and then stop 3 nights before my next appointment so he'll do a peeling.
I didn't have high expectations for the cream as I thought it would just prepare my skin for the peeling, but boy oh boy was I shocked!
TWO nights after I started the treatment, my upper lip mark faded about 50% and now about 80%!!!!! What it does is remove top layer of skin where the dark spots are. It doesn't hurt at all, just burns a little. In the morning I'm like a little kid during Xmas excited to see how I look! I use cotton pads with micelar water and it's amazing seeing the dark bits come off!!
I'm so so happy and barely recognise myself in the miror.
I was always so self-conscious about it and wherever I go with my husband, including our wedding, honeymoon, I always dread taking photos as it always looked like I had a huge moustache!

Wow that's amazing hun!so shall for you, you must feel much more confident now. Not going to lie I'm pretty jealous! Would you mind saying which dermatologist it was? Xxxx

 

[rebremm99]

Reviving this thread with a recommendation. I bought the Eucerin anti pigment cream like 2 weeks ago and since using it my melasma mustache has completely vanished ! The huge one on my forehead isn’t budging but oh my god I am so relieved the mustache is gone!

 

[Upintheair83]

Thank you so much!!
Of course I don't mind! It's this clinic https://instagram.com/personalderma?utm_medium=copy_link in Lisbon and the dermatologist is Dr. Luís Uva. If you scroll down you'll see before and after of a few patients and the differences are incredible!
I just apply the cream on top of my dark spots and as it removes the top layer, it feels like new skin, like it's very stretched!
I keep looking at my almost dark spot free upper lip whenever I pass by a mirror!
So yeah, ladies, there is hope for us who have melasma!

I'm so happy for you! Its great to know someone has had such good results xxxxx

 

[Upintheair83]

Really????? Congrats!!!!
I'm totally going to buy it in the hopes I can also be mustache free!!
Which one did you buy, the one for night, day or serum??

Have you had any good results from it? Since being pregnant my melasma has been so noticeable and I saw that on boots there is sale with the Eucerin stuff

 

[Meg1912]

Wow that's amazing hun!so shall for you, you must feel much more confident now. Not going to lie I'm pretty jealous! Would you mind saying which dermatologist it was? Xxxx

Thank you so much!!
Of course I don't mind! It's this clinic https://instagram.com/personalderma?utm_medium=copy_link in Lisbon and the dermatologist is Dr. Luís Uva. If you scroll down you'll see before and after of a few patients and the differences are incredible!
I just apply the cream on top of my dark spots and as it removes the top layer, it feels like new skin, like it's very stretched!
I keep looking at my almost dark spot free upper lip whenever I pass by a mirror!
So yeah, ladies, there is hope for us who have melasma!

 

[Meg1912]

Have you had any good results from it? Since being pregnant my melasma has been so noticeable and I saw that on boots there is sale with the Eucerin stuff

I haven't tried it! I looked for it, but couldn't find it. And tbh I've spent so much money on melasma creams/serums lately. Like about 400€ this summer, which is nuts! I'm getting married in 6 weeks, so I'm trying to save up! I'll start my treatment (start of thread) in October, so I'm saving up for that too as I'm sure it'll be pricey.
I've been using this fabulous sunscreen and I'm a huuuuge fan!! I love sunbathing and always got way darker on my forehead, cheeks and upper lip, but with this cream, they didn't get darker, like AT ALL!!!! I love it so so much!! It's the Institut Esthederm Photo Reverse Hyperpigmentation. Very pricey, but honestly made a huge difference!
Have you tried the Eucerin cream?

 

[Captainmouse]

There was an episode on the bad skin clinic recently, probably available on catch up. Originally shown on quest red

 

[spongebob09]

does the cryopen give quick results? there is also the pigmentasia cream

 

[rebremm99]

Really????? Congrats!!!!
I'm totally going to buy it in the hopes I can also be mustache free!!
Which one did you buy, the one for night, day or serum??

Thank you! I bought both and have used them every day since. I noticed it fading after 2/3 days and today’s the first day it’s fully gone really hope you have good results from it too!

 

[RipleyP83]

Aaah yes if only I could scrub it off!
I have also heard that low vitamin D and B12 can affect pigmentation so that’s interesting your levels were low
Amazing pictures, I hope you get good results when you go too!