[Knight]

Hi everyone?

I hope there are people still on the board that are active in this forum.
I developed Melasma on my upper lip and I?m feeling rather alone in the battle to conceal it. So I?m hoping there are still active members to talk to here.

My general doctor was a bit nonchalant about my condition when I told her that my confidence level was going down hill because of the discoloration. She basically gave me the verbiage of ?beauty is on the inside? talk. That?s find if it was a friend but I expected more help from a doctor.
Anyways, I went to a dermatologist and I am now on Tri-Luma, it?s been a week. I am seeing some results but this 5:00 clock shadow that?s on my lip is so not me. I wish it was already gone by now.

My question is? does anyone know of a good non-greasy sunscreen skin brightener moisturizer for sensitive skin that I can use. Also, if anyone has any ideas on make-up such as foundations etc, that won?t put a hole in my wallet like the Tri- Luma did. I actually went back to my old concealer called Dermablend to cover most of it up. I stop using this product because it was so expensive but I found that it is a better concealer so that outweighed the price tag. I?ve tried Netrogenia(SP) products and the seem to be to harsh for my skin.
Any ideas...

 

[LittleEmmy]

Hi Knight. My sister had a baby and she had melasma and was so devastated by it. (Good news- it went away!!!) However, while she was still struggling with it we went to a make-up store and they told us that its a good idea to use a primer before putting on make up- this will create a smooth 'canvas' of your skin so that you can then apply make up and it will apply in an even tone. You should use Bare Minerals- I think its great. Hope the primer idea works! Good luck with the triluma.

 

[Knight]

Thanks for the response LittleEmmy? I?ve tried Bare minerals make-up and I find that it accentuates the fine lines on my face. At 48, it?s hard to decide the lesser of the two evils?upper lip discoloration or the lines... I would want to hide the most.
The primer you mentioned is that a lotion or a foundation?

 

[LittleEmmy]

Primer is like a serum. The one she used was called Prime Time by bareVitamins. I really like it because your skin varies depending on whats going on with it- the skin around my nose is dry and then I have some pms pimples and it evens out the texture of your skin so your make up goes on evenly.

 

[Knight]

Thanks again

...I'll check it out.

 

[Perfect Diamond]

I don't use make up not even a foundation or powder bcoz I look like a girl if I use them. I know there are many men who use make up now. Foundation, concealers, etc but I haven't tried any pressed powders that looks natural on my skin. My skin tone is very white and if I use pressed powder in white then I look like Micheal Jackson ehh yuck! I use pressed power in beige or rose or tinted then I look like a girl and it feels heavy on my face. Plus I'm a sporty person and I sweat a lot so these make up thingy are useless. The only thing I know that will make me look good wearing make-up is the one done by a pro make-up artists.

I don't even like to see girls wearing make up bcoz they look like prostitutes. But I know make up is good bcoz it protects your skin from the harmful effects of the suns UV & UVB rays. The price of beauty is really complicated. I hope something will come out that will make things simpler and uncomplicated.

 

[Vera Jones]

Is Melasma only from having a baby or can you just develop it for other reasons?

 

[DandyLady]

Hi everyone?

I hope there are people still on the board that are active in this forum.
I developed Melasma on my upper lip and I?m feeling rather alone in the battle to conceal it. So I?m hoping there are still active members to talk to here.

My general doctor was a bit nonchalant about my condition when I told her that my confidence level was going down hill because of the discoloration. She basically gave me the verbiage of ?beauty is on the inside? talk. That?s find if it was a friend but I expected more help from a doctor.
Anyways, I went to a dermatologist and I am now on Tri-Luma, it?s been a week. I am seeing some results but this 5:00 clock shadow that?s on my lip is so not me. I wish it was already gone by now.

My question is? does anyone know of a good non-greasy sunscreen skin brightener moisturizer for sensitive skin that I can use. Also, if anyone has any ideas on make-up such as foundations etc, that won?t put a hole in my wallet like the Tri- Luma did. I actually went back to my old concealer called Dermablend to cover most of it up. I stop using this product because it was so expensive but I found that it is a better concealer so that outweighed the price tag. I?ve tried Netrogenia(SP) products and the seem to be to harsh for my skin.
Any ideas...

Hi dear.
I have used Tri Lume myself for few months. YES, it is an expensive cream and wasn't so helpfull to me. I guess I am sensitive to HQ so now I am using HQ free lightening creams.
There are many lightening creams for melasma and I noticed that the ones who work better contains Kojic and citric acids (Hq free!).

As for cover. Dermablend is a good makeup to cover melasma. Try the new line! It's an improved formula and doesn't look as heavy as the old one.

I also found that Estee Lauder Max coverage works great to cover melasma (it's a bit heavy too though).

Bare minerals is a great protection for your skin b/c of its natural UVA/UVB protection. However I do not think it has enough coverage for melasma and if you try to get this full coverage, you will eneded up looking caky!!

Hope that will help.

Dandy..

 

[dmb789]

melasma is not only from having a baby. you can develop it from to much sun exposure, birth control pills, and photo-sensativity when using AHA's. i recommend celacor, i used it and my friend used it, we both had an 80% reduction in my melasma. regarding the makeup my friend now uses bare minerals and she loves it. i hate it as it acents my fine lines. i used dermablend before celacor and now i use regular drug store make-up (loreal).

good luck

 

[dmb789]

we both saw results in 14 days. my skin was almost totally clear within the 14 days. my friends skin was much worse. she saw a difference in 14 days but it took 30 days for her to see a wow effect. she says her melasma faded 90%, i think 80% but i actually never saw her without her mak up.

 

[A K Naicker]

Ive had Melasma for about ten years and and looked endlessly for a camoflauge make up. Try Jane Iredale mineral make up!

Ali x

 

[CinAZ]

Hello All,

I just stumbled upon this site and find it is fantastic in information. You ladies must read the other posts regarding coppper/yeast and melasma connection.

As far as my makeup routine.... I have had Melasma for 16 years. I never had any issues while on the pill but once I got pregnant it came and never left and only got darker over time. I have tried many a product and this is now my routine.

Wash face with Cetaphyl
Moisturize face with Cetaphyl SPF 50
Prime face with "Monestat Chaffing Gel"
Loreals TruMatch Foundation
Loreals TtruMatch Powder

Yes ladies... I did say Monestat Chaffing Gel, this is made by Monestat for yeast infections, however it has nothing to do with your lower end. This gel is for areas where skin rubs (legs, arms, etc.) and rashes. Apply this over moisturizer and before makeup. I got this information from another site about a month ago and love it. I had never used a primer before and this helps makeup look fresh longer and I find that it also helps my makeup to not settle in the fine lines. For anyone who doesn't like to wear makeup this Gel gives a great "matte" appearance on the face and I also find that I don't get a shiny face as much.

As far as the foundation/powder. I have also tried everything to help cover the patches. I have settled on the TruMatch because I find it stays put longer and has better coverage without feeling too heavy. I don't use a sponge to apply it. Just dollup some on my cheaks and pat it in for even coverage. Since I do go through foundation/powder faster than the average makeup wearer I like the product also because I find that the drugstores often have buy one get one free sale. However, if you really want some good coverage try Shisedo (sp) powdery foundation. This gives fantastic coverage but it costs almost $30 for a compact which is too much every month for my budget.

 

[heidi82]

Hey ladies, I've battled with melasma on my upper lip for about 3 years. I can't tell you how much I hate it, but I'm sure you already know from your own experience how much it sucks!

I've just bought Mac studio sculpt concealer and found it covers my melasma better than anything else I've found...the foundation is excellent as well. Hope that helps!

 

[Puentesgigu]

Hello all;

I have noticed melasma on my upper lip and cheeks for a few years now- but it has gotten increasing worse... Dermatologists suggest peels (but too expensive) or HQ cream (but I live in California and CAN"T avoid sunshine)

---
So I have tried SO MUCH makeup... and NOTHING has worked!

MAC - Studio fix and concealer
Estee Lauder- Double Wear
Bare Minerals
Sheer Cover
Drug store brands
Laura Gellar
Dermablend (is this from Ulta Salons??? - i got something from here that was said to work )

Help!

it looks like a five oclock shadow... and it has taken a toll on me... does anyone have suggestions that WORK!

Regards-
your newest melasma worrier.....

 

[fawnie]

Puentesgigu
I love this foundation for full coverage that doesn't look cakey or fakey: Graftobian

Product Details - Details about Products and tools for the professional makeup artist for print, tv, film, catalogues, bridal and more - with quality products Cinema Secrets, Collyre Bleu, Adesign Brushes, Face Atelier, Graftobian, Illuminare, Japone
It's easy to blend and the colors are believable. I set it with MUFE HD Microfinish and it stays all day without smudging or disappearing. I use a primer under it for added insurance and it makes my skin look poreless and flawless. It's a cream foundation but isn't greasy. I mix it half and half with a moisturizer for easier spreading with a foundation brush but you could mix with a primer if your skin is oily. You can build up layers on hard to cover areas by setting with the HD powder between layers and feathering the edges.

Each 5 color palette is only $20USD and shipping is super fast. The larger sizes are reasonably priced too.

HTH

 

[CinAZ]

Hello all;

I have noticed melasma on my upper lip and cheeks for a few years now- but it has gotten increasing worse... Dermatologists suggest peels (but too expensive) or HQ cream (but I live in California and CAN"T avoid sunshine)

---
So I have tried SO MUCH makeup... and NOTHING has worked!

MAC - Studio fix and concealer
Estee Lauder- Double Wear
Bare Minerals
Sheer Cover
Drug store brands
Laura Gellar
Dermablend (is this from Ulta Salons??? - i got something from here that was said to work )

Help!

it looks like a five oclock shadow... and it has taken a toll on me... does anyone have suggestions that WORK!

Regards-
your newest melasma worrier.....

Hello,

I am also trying the GSE and have been using it now for about a week. For about 3 weeks before that I was using Yellowdock and did notice that it was breaking up the patches but didn't lighten them. After reading a thread about the GSE I stopped Yellowdock to try it. For those that have tried GSE and have had no luck you might want to try the Yellowdock. Who knows, maybe if I had stuck with it, it may have broken up even more and completely disappeared.

Also, if the GSE doesn't work for you it does make a great face cleanser.

 

[moni09]

i also developed melasma on my upper lip and tried so many cosmetics to cover it up. Its slowly fading away naturally since I stopped birth control, but I use iman cosmetics & prescriptives mineral makeup and it does cover it up. Also, I use RX for brown skin and it is helping fade it away. It comes with a cleanser, skin brightener toner & a brightener moisturizer. I recommend it and it works for ppl of all races. I found that HQ made it worse so I'm not using that anymore.

 

[AlisonR]

Though this forum is old, the problems are still relevant so I need to say a few things. First, before anything, I'd like to suggest that all of us think about the emotional triggers having melasma can cause those of us especially in western, beauty/youth centered society, and commit to stop using gender specific language when discussing this issue. I feel for men who have yet to see the multiple links to melasma- in the sciebtific literature. Sadly most sites I visit claim melasma to be either pregnancy related or sun related and then there isn't much said. There is evidence that links thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances which considering the massive ammount of estrogenic environmental triggers currently is not a large surprise. See google scholar for abstracts on relevant research. Also, not often discussed to patients undergoing harsh treatments is the post inflamatory hyperpigmentation. Melasma can get worse and permanently from peels and lazers. The best way to work on melasma is a combination of gentile external methods such as pure cold pressed castor oil (which by the way cleared my wrinkles and more than "minimized" my pores in days) and internal methods based on your body. HQ and other bleach creams are toxic, licorice root extract is proven scientifically to be one of the best a s safest lighteners, as is tumeric, be gentile. For me, taking Amla a food source Vitamin C, and MSM has been helpful. Eating brussle sprouts for DIM, taking CoQ10 for cell turnover, keeping hydrated and cutting out processed foods etc have done wonders! Remember to be patient and sympathetic with yourself and others. And let's focus on the science. There's no need for men to feel worse or different. I did not explain much of what I wrote as I knew it would be so long. But many hints are in here. All you need to do is google them and go to reputable sources. We are all in this together!

 

[MySkinIsLame]

Castor oil! Interesting stuff...

I've been using castor oil anyway to regrow my eyebrows (it's actually a liquid laxative for children that can be found at ANY drugstore for under 5 dollars, and it's supposed to stimulate hair growth). Well, to my amazement, it worked better than the $50 men's extra strength rogaine. So I'm a huge fan of this stuff...

I had NO IDEA you could use it on your face b/c it's terribly thick and hard to wash off. A major plus is that it is clear and odorless, however I'm afraid to use it on my face because it's so thick. Did it every make you break-out?

Internal Aides:
I agree that obviously melasma is a mysterious skin ailment that affects everyone differently. Hormones/sun exposure/Candida/ you name it, I've researched it. I've changed my diet, I drink tons of water, and I've tried topicals (including anti-fungal creams (yes foot cream), apple cider vinegar toner, etc. etc.), to minimal unimpressive results. I've tried glycolics, lactics, azalea acid, HQ's, the whole shebang... and honestly the best possible thing I've found is light exfoliation, acid exfoliation (glycolic/lactic), GREAT moisturizers by drug stores believe it or not, and last but not least... the MOST IMPORTANT DETAIL... completely stay out of the sun, and use zinc products outside. This regimen has given me the best results for lightening. I also have very smooth skin, so it makes make up very easy to apply.

Makeup:

MAC - Any of their powder products (studio fix, ect.), and their concealers. I've found their foundations to be TOO thick and shiny.
Face Atelier - AMAZING foundation that has a silicone base that works as a primer. It's very smooth, and moisturizing. But it's only medium coverage. You have to use a concealer.
Dermablend - Concealer. Kind of oily, and only has high coverage if you layer it A LOT using a brush. If you use your fingers, it wipes off your previous layers and is quite disappointing.
CoverFX - Concealer, with a salmon color base. It's great for covering under-eye circles. You use the concealer and layer it on your problem spots. LET IT DRY. Then cover again is an additional concealer (Like MAC NC30 Pro longwear) then foundation, then powder.
Makeup Forever Camouflage cream - Similar to Dermablend, but specifically designed for hyper pigmentation.

**NOTE: This strategy (using concealer, foundation, setting power) sounds like it might have a cakey affect, and on some days, when your melasma is wreaking havoc, it will look cakey. But face it. That's the only way it's going to work. Honestly, it doesn't look THAT bad.
TIP: Try to tone down your eye and lip makeup to disguise the fact that you're wearing TONS of makeup on your face. Oh! And don't forget the nightly regimen for your skin. Wash and moisturize before bed to prevent blemishes. Always.

Wow. Thanks for reading my novel! Good luck, ya'll.

 

[carriejane]

In doing some research I have heard that using apple cider vinegar works. I started this yesterday. I am hoping it works. I have heard that using Retin A is not good. I hope this is not the case. I love my Retin A.