SweetTee

It asked for you to register to view the article. I hate registering on every site fear of SPAM you know.

LightenNLift

I read about that too, Pycnogenol in most times completely clears one of melasma because of the fern root extract that helps block out or increase ones defenses against all types of UV radiation, it also give you more energy and calms inflammation externally and internally.

Gigi

Really? It didn't ask me to register...
It basically talks about a study (which I was interested in) where a group with melasma took a herbal supplement called Pycnogenal, and after 30 days of use 25mg, three times a day, with meals, there was significant clearing of their melasma (about 80% is what I think it said)

Hope this helps...you can also goggle the benefits of pycnogenal for melasma.

karenannev

Thanks Gigi! It wanted me to register too, but doesn't matter, where do I get some pycnogenol???

LightenNLift

NSI Pycnogenol® (Pine Bark Extract) -- 100 mg - 60 Capsules - Vitacost Great brand, reasonable pricing, more milligrams per capsule

Gigi

The site which LNL mentioned is a great one to buy from!
I just purchase mine from my local health food store.

ColoradoLady

Here's more info on the study that was done with Pycnogenol:

Phytother Res. 2002 Sep;16(6):567-71.
Treatment of melasma with Pycnogenol.

Ni Z, Mu Y, Gulati O.

Beijing PHT Nutriment Science Technology Development Co. Ltd, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Food Safety Control and Inspection, Ministry of Public Health, Beijing, P R China.

Melasma (or chloasma) is a common disorder of cutaneous hyperpigmentation predominantly affecting sun-exposed areas in women. The pathogenesis of melasma is not fully understood and treatments are frequently disappointing and often associated with side effects. Pycnogenol is a standardized extract of the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), a well-known, potent antioxidant. Studies in vitro show that Pycnogenol is several times more powerful than vitamin E and vitamin C. In addition, it recycles vitamin C, regenerates vitamin E and increases the endogenous antioxidant enzyme system. Pycnogenol protects against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Therefore its efficacy in the treatment of melasma was investigated. Thirty women with melasma completed a 30-day clinical trial in which they took one 25 mg tablet of Pycnogenol with meals three times daily, i.e. 75 mg Pycnogenol per day. These patients were evaluated clinically by parameters such as the melasma area index, pigmentary intensity index and by routine blood and urine tests. After a 30-day treatment, the average melasma area of the patients decreased by 25.86 +/- 20.39 mm(2) (p < 0.001) and the average pigmentary intensity decreased by 0.47 +/- 0.51 unit (p < 0.001). The general effective rate was 80%. No side effect was observed. The results of the blood and urine test parameters at baseline and at day 30 were within the normal range. Moreover, several other associated symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, pains in the body and anxiety were also improved. To conclude, Pycnogenol was shown to be therapeutically effective and safe in patients suffering from melasma. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 12237816 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

EggoMini

*bumping*

seems promising!

skinproblem

Hi Gigi - Please let us know if you have positive result with capsules. I am also suffering with melasma and have discolouration on my face. Please help.

skinproblem

Melasma please help me.

girlzie

HI there everyone, has anyone used this product for 30 days and have any advice or information on how it is going. PLEASE share i need help....

Ixtapa

I just ordered some pycnogenol (enough for 2 months).

Will start taking it as soon as I get it and report about my progress...

girlzie

HI Gigi, have you managed to try it yet and have you had any results. Would like to get some myself but would like to know if it had any improvement

girlzie

hi there, please keep us all posted i am so desperate to find something that will give me some relief from this horrid discolouration on my face. I have just stopped some really strong tablets and waiting for them to come out of my system and then i am going to try pycnogenol.We all need to keep together and keep each other informed of what they are trying and what is working and not.

I have been to my dermatologist and she has given me a crean called pigmanorm witch is a pretty strong bleaching cream which i think will work whilst im taking it but not long term

libra

Hello ... I am taking Pine Bark Extract ... 100 mg ... once per day ... I have been taking it approximately two weeks ... my melasma, I must admit is improving; however, I am doing so so many other things, I'm not sure which thing is improving it???

Libra

Ixtapa

Started taking Pycnogenol today (2 x 50mg).

Will report on my progress in a couple weeks (or more depending...).

Hope this works !!!

girl

libra I thought of you when I saw this post. maybe this will work for you. A lot of times natural remedies work bettern than chemicals.

libra

Dear Girlie ...

Thank you so so much and welcome home ... thank you for thinking of me ... I am taking Pine Bark ... my melasma seems to be slowly and I mean very slowly improving ... but I think that it is such a slow process ... but I am willing to wait!! I am so addicted to this forum ... I hang out whenever I have time ...

Libra with Love ...