Melasma

[Fidelia]

Do any of you have melasma? Melasma is darker patches of skin (like about freckle darkness) that show up on the face (often cheek or upper lip) and are worsened by exposure to the sun. They are most often caused by hormonal changes from pregnancy or birth control pills (although in my case, it's neither).

For the last three years or so, I have had a small patch on my upper lip that I can cover during the winter but which gets darker during the summer. It is difficult to properly cover with makeup. I religiously use sunscreen year round, but any sun exposure brings it out. I use fading stuff on that area with hydroquinine (I think that's the name) in it throughout the year, but sun is a killer.

If anyone has any good ideas for prevention or better masking it, that would be much appreciated!

I don't like the consistency of a lot of the heavy duty makeup out there for covering up birthmarks etc (plus it's hard to buy on the internet because you don't know what colour you are really getting.) The internet reviews on it give conflicting opinions and they don't sell any in my area. I've heard that purplish corrective makeup with neutralize browns, but again, I haven't seen any sold other than very light lavendar pancake stuff at a store like Sephora and it doesn't do the trick.

Also: Should I worry that my hormones are going haywire if there are no obvious reasons like pregnancy or BC that would induce melasma?

 

[Fidelia]

Peacebaby just suggested that Vit K cream (and possibly Vitamin C) also help. I already wear Vitamin C powder mixed with my sunscreen. Has anyone else tried Vitamin K?

 

[PuddleRiver]

Yeah, this is something I've had trouble with for several years. It takes a real sunblock for this stuff. What's on the market is junk. I've never found anything that covers mine up successfully but I'm pretty lazy in the makeup department.

If anyone comes up with something then I'd love to hear about it.

 

[PeaceBaby]

Oh and I might add too that I buy a special sunscreen for the face specifically ... always more than SPF 30.

 

[Fidelia]

The best high SPF face stuff I've found that doesn't pill under foundation is the face cream from Neutrogena. If you guys have founds something that is an even better consistency (especially with makeup), tell me!

 

[Tiltyred]

Have you seen a dermatologist at all? Just one visit sometimes can do a world of good.

 

[Fidelia]

In Canada we're lucky if we can even see a GP. They will not refer you unless there is something really screwed up with your skin (ie cancer, stuff steroids won't banish, horribly chronic scarring acne). If we do get referred there is a 2 month to year and a half long wait for most specialists. (BTW Americans - don't go with publicly funded healthcare unless you have a lot of doctors waiting in the wings. We've already bled South Africa dry!)

I've always been fascinated with women's magazines that talk about seeing your dermatologist. I would kill to do that!

 

[Fidelia]

Have any of you ever tried TiSilc sunscreen? I've heard it recommended in several places but it's a little pricey - about $35 for four ounces.

I was reading a little more on a website and they suggested that antibiotics can trigger melasma or hyperpigmentation. Also thyroid or certain mineral/vitamin excesses or definciencies. Too much estrogen also seems to be an issue so eating plant based foods (which neutralize estrogen) and losing weight (fat produces more estrogen) also appear to help.

 

[Tallulah]

In Canada we're lucky if we can even see a GP. They will not refer you unless there is something really screwed up with your skin (ie cancer, stuff steroids won't banish, horribly chronic scarring acne). If we do get referred there is a 2 month to year and a half long wait for most specialists. (BTW Americans - don't go with publicly funded healthcare unless you have a lot of doctors waiting in the wings. We've already bled South Africa dry!)

I've always been fascinated with women's magazines that talk about seeing your dermatologist. I would kill to do that!

OT, but this is what I'm worried about. I have friends in the UK and Australia with similar stories, re: national healthcare.

I love my moisturizer from Bath and Body Works. It has SPF 30, and works beautifully under makeup. (I do have dry skin, though.)

Universal Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30 - Patricia Wexler M.D. - Bath & Body Works

 

[sammy]

I use fading stuff on that area with hydroquinine (I think that's the name) in it throughout the year, but sun is a killer.

I don't have melasma, but be careful about that hydroquinine stuff. I've heard it may cause cancer (not that just about anything these days doesn't cause cancer, but heads up).

 

[Fidelia]

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Vasilisa]

Hi, fidelia. To combat this I use that Nia24 sunscreen and Bio-oil overnight. It seems to be working fairly well.

 

[Fidelia]

Nia24? Where do you get it? I haven't heard of that. I have BioOil though.

 

[CzeCze]

Have any of you ever tried TiSilc sunscreen? I've heard it recommended in several places but it's a little pricey - about $35 for four ounces.

I was reading a little more on a website and they suggested that antibiotics can trigger melasma or hyperpigmentation. Also thyroid or certain mineral/vitamin excesses or definciencies. Too much estrogen also seems to be an issue so eating plant based foods (which neutralize estrogen) and losing weight (fat produces more estrogen) also appear to help.

Hey Fidelia, I've tried all sorts of sunblocks and sunscreens. I think I tried TiSilc, it was really thick and had that 'heavy/oily' feeling that is common with the 'best' sunblocks. I also got a higher SPF in it though, I never used the whole bottle. They are hard to wear or just uncomfortable. For me the problem also is a lot of sunscreen/sunblock ends up getting ashy/oily on me but the ashiness isn't such a problem for caucasian skin - the oiliness and heavy feeling? Yeah. Of course, I already have oily skin so if you have dry skin maybe you can tolerate it better.

Neutrogena is the best OTC sunblock out there.

A dermatologist recommended Clinique *MEDICAL* (edit, whoops) to me and it works great! A little goes a long way but I can't believe I'm even wearing sunblock so I put on lots and it really does disappear, no streakiness, no heaviness, no oily shine. It's the best sunblock I've ever tried - if it actually works. It sinks in so well I'm suspicious. It's better than Neutrogena but it's also pricier, I think close to TiSilc.

I've had aestheticians tell me not to mix moisturizer with sunblock, or rather, just use a plain sunblock w/o moisturizer otherwise you're clogging your skin?

I am pretty diligent about my skin because it's outta control and it takes a lot of effort to get it under control. Now that's it's calming down, I'm taking care of scarring and discoloration. Unfortunately, the best way to take care of discoloration involves deeper chemical peels or laser resurfacing. IPL especially is good at pigmentation issues. Otherwise, you can do lighter lactic acid (geared more for pigmentation issues and can moisturize) or glycolic peels, like 1x a month and see what happens. The one sure shot way to get rid of moles/dark spots is getting hit with a C02 laser and for just one spot it might be cost effective (and a lot faster) than going for the creams and lighter treatments.

If it's just that one spot, you can just apply the stuff there.

Hydroquinine (sp?) first and licorice second are the best/most common lighteners in addition to Vitamin C. I did 'net research and the 'best' hydroquinine lightener is available only in Canada, not the states. I believe it's OTC...

I also wear dorky hats and sunglasses when I'm out. I really do dress like an old person (senior citizens - and *only* senior citizens - compliment me on my hats, lol) but when I'm a senior citizen we'll see who's having the last laugh!

 

[Fidelia]

I've become a hat lady too. I've thought about IPL. I really hate that looks like a mustache, but isn't effect that starts happening during the summer. Have you ever done any laser stuff? Any things I should know? It seems like every place has a different kind of laser/age/effectiveness and different levels of medical qualifications to use them (I don't want a spa kind of place trying it out on me). Thanks for the sunscreen advice. I have La Roche Posay, which is recommended and is effective, but it feels pretty heavy. I'd be willing to shell out if there's something that still feels okay with makeup. I like Neutrogena's 35 SPF moisturizer, but apparently it only blocks UVB rays.

 

[Vasilisa]

I mentioned NIA24 before on the site, I hope I don't come across like a shill for them
I was researching the best kind of sunscreen and I read about NIA24. I played around on their website: NIA24® — Niacin-Powered Skin Therapy and signed up for a free sample pack. I tried it and I liked it, so now it is what I use every day. It is a mineral physical sunscreen/mild moisturizer that reduces hyper-pigmentation, so that is what I like about it. It is not something a dermotologist prescribes, but many dermos sell it in their offices. I get it at a shop in a cancer center clinic. It is pricey, but it doesn't take much to get coverage for a full day, and the bottle lasts a long time, so its worth it to me. It costs me $45 USD.

Evidently it is available in Canada through some e-tailers like FragranceNet.com.

 

[CzeCze]

Have you ever done any laser stuff? Any things I should know? It seems like every place has a different kind of laser/age/effectiveness and different levels of medical qualifications to use them (I don't want a spa kind of place trying it out on me).

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Whee! I love talking pet shop talk. I'll fill this in later.

Thanks for the sunscreen advice. I have La Roche Posay, which is recommended and is effective, but it feels pretty heavy. I'd be willing to shell out if there's something that still feels okay with makeup. I like Neutrogena's 35 SPF moisturizer, but apparently it only blocks UVB rays.

No problem, but whoops it's Clinique *Medical* (not Clinical). It's meant for use before/after cosmetic surgery so you know it's got to be good.

Neutrogena btw when I've checked blocks both UVA and UVB. At least the kind I've bought.

 

[Fidelia]

I mentioned NIA24 before on the site, I hope I don't come across like a shill for them
I was researching the best kind of sunscreen and I read about NIA24. I played around on their website: NIA24® — Niacin-Powered Skin Therapy and signed up for a free sample pack. I tried it and I liked it, so now it is what I use every day. It is a mineral physical sunscreen/mild moisturizer that reduces hyper-pigmentation, so that is what I like about it. It is not something a dermotologist prescribes, but many dermos sell it in their offices. I get it at a shop in a cancer center clinic. It is pricey, but it doesn't take much to get coverage for a full day, and the bottle lasts a long time, so its worth it to me. It costs me $45 USD.

Evidently it is available in Canada through some e-tailers like FragranceNet.com.

Thanks! Maybe I'll get a sample of it. What's the texture of it like?

 

[Fidelia]

*placeholder*

Whee! I love talking pet shop talk. I'll fill this in later.



No problem, but whoops it's Clinique *Medical* (not Clinical). It's meant for use before/after cosmetic surgery so you know it's got to be good.

Neutrogena btw when I've checked blocks both UVA and UVB. At least the kind I've bought.

Please do! I'm interested in laser stuff, but it's a lot of trouble to sort through so much conflicting information (or lack thereof)!

 

[Vasilisa]

Thanks! Maybe I'll get a sample of it. What's the texture of it like?

It is non-greasy. Which is great for me, because my face is more oily than dry, as in it tends to get shiny. It may not be adequate as a moisturizer-sunscreen (how I use it) if your face tends toward dryness. But it can be combined with moisturizer. It is normal for sunscreen as far as texture, not milky or runny or anything, not paste-like either. It absorbs pretty rapidly. I dislike sunscreens that don't absorb and give you greasy-white-shiny-sunscreen-face.