I have been to a dermatologist for acne for approx 4 years. I have been on every antibiotic know to man/woman and have had numerous peels, tried retin A, duac gel and then finally was on accutane. I was so upset about acne that my doctor even referred me to a psych doctor cause it was affecting my life so badly. Accutane helped and I don't break out anymore and my skin looks great....but there is a catch, I have developed Melasma within the last year. I can't win. I stopped taking birthcontrol around december and have been on triluma and have noticed a huge change, however, who is to say that the next time I go in the sun that it's not going to come back. It's not fair, what am I not supposed to go in the sun and get a tan ever....any advice or any good news, I could use a pick me up right now!
help...I have melasma :(
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hi there. I feel your pain. I too was diagnosed with having melasma. I think if you use a good sunblock you should be okay for the most part. Especially since yours was caused by the birth control which you now stopped. It would seem to me that since the cause of the melasma has been removed, your hormones are probably starting to settle again and your melasma shouldnt be triggered so easily. Dont let it get you down. You dont want to miss out on all the great things life has to offer by staying indoors all the time and avoiding the sun. Just use a good sunblock (maybe ask your doctor to recommend one) and I think you will be just fine.
Thanks for your input, I need to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel! What are you taking to help yours? I highly recommend TriLuma it works like a charm! When I talked to my dermatologist on my last visit she thinks that another reason that my melasma was so bad is because I had a peel and then may have gone out in the sun afterwards. I started getting peels last spring/summer and was on a summer softball league and was out in the sun alot. She thinks that what my have triggered it and then the birthcontrol made it worse.
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I started getting that when I was on the birth control patch. Here are some things that help to prevent it:
I went off of hormonal birth control
a stable sunscreen
staying out of the sun
no tanning
I don't know if you're in the US, but some reliable and stable sunscreens are:
Coppertone for oily faces SPF 30
Cetaphil SPF 15
Kiehl's Vital Sun SPF 15
Neutrogena for sensitive skin (non-chemical) SPF 30
I went off of hormonal birth control
a stable sunscreen
staying out of the sun
no tanning
I don't know if you're in the US, but some reliable and stable sunscreens are:
Coppertone for oily faces SPF 30
Cetaphil SPF 15
Kiehl's Vital Sun SPF 15
Neutrogena for sensitive skin (non-chemical) SPF 30
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The Coppertone sunscreen is definitely going to be the least greasy.
How oily is your skin?
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Going off the pill will definately work, as well as staying out of the sun. I would recommend a natural sunscreen. Aubrey organic could be a good choice.
My dear friend is suffering from melasma for over two years. Trying to help her, I came across another women with melasma. Her experience she shared, that a product called Makari really helped her. I offered my friend a try and she too has seen significant results.
I'm 46, and for more than 5 years I have been struggling with melasma. Started with a little dark spot on my cheeks and now I have it all over my face. I don't smoke or drink, a practice yoga 3 times a weak, eat a good diet and I have never taken birth control pills or had kids. Two years ago I had a copper IUD removed which I used for 7 years. I don't know if copper is related to melasma problem but since the melasma started approximately the time when I had the IUD, I asked my doctor to check the copper level in my system.
I little info about my journey with doctors.
I started with dermatologist which didn't help me at all. I had 4 chemical peeling, used Tri-Luma cream, cover my face with sun block like a crazy woman, and off course avoid sun exposure forever - no results, just spend my money and time. My melasma got a little bit lighter and in a couple weeks came back the same way it was. I realized that my problem is more complicated and my dermatologist told me to find an endocrinologist. Next doctor that I visited was my gynecologist no help, she didn't care. Now I am trying an endocrinologist. So far I have been tested for thyroid and, adrenal problems. These tests came back normal and I didn't get my melasma problem fixed. Now, I asked my doctor to have a more complex adrenal test (the one you have to use contrast intravenously). I also asked to check the levels of copper in my system and a thyroid auto-immunity test. Please I need help! Any ideas what else I can try? Any good endocrinologist in Atlanta, GA who understands melasma? I am not looking for a cosmetic solutions but the root cause of my melasma problem. Thanks
I little info about my journey with doctors.
I started with dermatologist which didn't help me at all. I had 4 chemical peeling, used Tri-Luma cream, cover my face with sun block like a crazy woman, and off course avoid sun exposure forever - no results, just spend my money and time. My melasma got a little bit lighter and in a couple weeks came back the same way it was. I realized that my problem is more complicated and my dermatologist told me to find an endocrinologist. Next doctor that I visited was my gynecologist no help, she didn't care. Now I am trying an endocrinologist. So far I have been tested for thyroid and, adrenal problems. These tests came back normal and I didn't get my melasma problem fixed. Now, I asked my doctor to have a more complex adrenal test (the one you have to use contrast intravenously). I also asked to check the levels of copper in my system and a thyroid auto-immunity test. Please I need help! Any ideas what else I can try? Any good endocrinologist in Atlanta, GA who understands melasma? I am not looking for a cosmetic solutions but the root cause of my melasma problem. Thanks
My brother had melasma and how he solved his problem was he used a microdebrasion (home kit) then followed up with a skin bleaching soap (diana stalder papaya kojic acid soap) then the diana stalder skin bleaching lotion everyday for two months. It evened out his skin tone, lightened his skin and no more melasma (it took two months to removed the melasma). See you remove the top layer of the skin, bleach it, take care of it and do it daily until you notice a difference. Try it out, it worked for him, it could work out for you.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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i have melasma due to eczema and my life has been a nightmare cos i have to cover up with make up,all the time. its that bad, so now i m trying lightening pills, i m trying to correct it from the inside rather than rom outside as the cream can be really harsh on your skin, they make the skin very sensitive by removing the protective layers,
My sister has Melasma too and she was reccomended Obaji products as they have a skin lightener called hydroquinone. I don't know how safe this is as it is not used in Europe but FDA approved here. It works well but you have to use a high spf sunscreen.
I started to get dark marks on my tongue when I was on antibiotics for acne, but fortunately went away when I stopped. I rely on otc products for it.
I started to get dark marks on my tongue when I was on antibiotics for acne, but fortunately went away when I stopped. I rely on otc products for it.
I am 41 with melasama (tried IPL treatments) do NOT recommend, it made it worse in my opinion. I was on the birth control pill 10 years ago and I do think that it may have something to do with it. My mother had melasma, so I also think it runs in families (unfortunately). I do not think you can ever really go back out in the sun without a very potent sunscreen and hat. The sun just makes it worse and undoes all that you are trying to do to get rid of it. The sun is the main thing that always made my much much worse! I tried a artificial tanning product called "Glofusion" if put on properly, it gives you great color and looks very natural.
I have tried many many sunscreens, but a lot of them make you look scary white! Does anyone have a suggestion on a natural sunscreen that does not make you look half dead? LOL
I am currently using LA ROCHE-POSAY SPF15 Daily moisturizer and I have oily skin and it seems to work fairly well. It is supposed to last for 5 hours from the time you put it on in the morning. Remember, sunscreens do not last all day, you have to re apply at some point during the day.
I just purchased an SPF 60 Ti-SILC from the Dermadoctor.com It is tinted, but I have not tried it yet (quite frankly I am afraid) LOL They always make you looks so WHITE! It has 7.0 Titanium Oxide, Green tea, sunflower oil and several other ingredients, but supposed to be more natural.
Lastly I use a product called MELADERM for my melasma. I think it has been close to 1 month and I really am seeing improvement. I was just about to give up! I don't know if I have epidermal or dermal melasma yet? I exfoliate my face well (clarisonic works great for me!) and then use a glycolic acid toner from Proactiv and then put on the meladerm (you have to wear it morning and night). It seems to be "breaking up" the melasma and making it into more smaller patches than one big large patch. The company says it can take up to 3 months. It is all natural ingredients, no hydroquinone.
I have also heard of a treatment called Melanage Peel. I posted something on one of these sites and someone told me about it. That will be my last resort I think. It is supposed to be some sort of mask (Retin A and Hydroquinone) that the derm puts on you and you leave with the mask on and your skin peels and lightens. I have seen pretty dramatic results online, just do a google search. Apparently it replaced some other treatment that was discontinued in 2007. It appears to be pretty expensive about 800 for the treatment. It seems to work pretty well from what I have seen online. But wonder what side effects if any?
I am going to continue with my current regimen and continue using Meladerm for now. Wear a good sunscreen daily, avoid the sun as much as possible and take vitamins and supplements that enhance the skin natural defenses. I have also read that unsweetened soy milk can help with dark spots too? I have not tried, nor do I know anyone that has.
Just be patient, it takes a ton of time to improve the skin, but I think it can be done once you find what really works best for you. Every person is different. I have olive skin tone, oily and sensitive skin and all of these products are working for me. I will post after another month or so on the Meladerm and let you know if it works. It is not cheap either, about 80 for the larger size bottle, but it has been a month and I still have quite a bit left.
One last thing, makeup that is a great cover up and all natural with A,C, E vitamins is GLOMINERALS. I love it! Again, not super cheap, but your face is worth it! It has a natural sunscreen as well, great coverage and actually improves my skin overall.
Good Luck everyone! Sorry for the "book" but I want to help anyone that I can. Melasma sucks! LOL
Take care!!
I have tried many many sunscreens, but a lot of them make you look scary white! Does anyone have a suggestion on a natural sunscreen that does not make you look half dead? LOL
I am currently using LA ROCHE-POSAY SPF15 Daily moisturizer and I have oily skin and it seems to work fairly well. It is supposed to last for 5 hours from the time you put it on in the morning. Remember, sunscreens do not last all day, you have to re apply at some point during the day.
I just purchased an SPF 60 Ti-SILC from the Dermadoctor.com It is tinted, but I have not tried it yet (quite frankly I am afraid) LOL They always make you looks so WHITE! It has 7.0 Titanium Oxide, Green tea, sunflower oil and several other ingredients, but supposed to be more natural.
Lastly I use a product called MELADERM for my melasma. I think it has been close to 1 month and I really am seeing improvement. I was just about to give up! I don't know if I have epidermal or dermal melasma yet? I exfoliate my face well (clarisonic works great for me!) and then use a glycolic acid toner from Proactiv and then put on the meladerm (you have to wear it morning and night). It seems to be "breaking up" the melasma and making it into more smaller patches than one big large patch. The company says it can take up to 3 months. It is all natural ingredients, no hydroquinone.
I have also heard of a treatment called Melanage Peel. I posted something on one of these sites and someone told me about it. That will be my last resort I think. It is supposed to be some sort of mask (Retin A and Hydroquinone) that the derm puts on you and you leave with the mask on and your skin peels and lightens. I have seen pretty dramatic results online, just do a google search. Apparently it replaced some other treatment that was discontinued in 2007. It appears to be pretty expensive about 800 for the treatment. It seems to work pretty well from what I have seen online. But wonder what side effects if any?
I am going to continue with my current regimen and continue using Meladerm for now. Wear a good sunscreen daily, avoid the sun as much as possible and take vitamins and supplements that enhance the skin natural defenses. I have also read that unsweetened soy milk can help with dark spots too? I have not tried, nor do I know anyone that has.
Just be patient, it takes a ton of time to improve the skin, but I think it can be done once you find what really works best for you. Every person is different. I have olive skin tone, oily and sensitive skin and all of these products are working for me. I will post after another month or so on the Meladerm and let you know if it works. It is not cheap either, about 80 for the larger size bottle, but it has been a month and I still have quite a bit left.
One last thing, makeup that is a great cover up and all natural with A,C, E vitamins is GLOMINERALS. I love it! Again, not super cheap, but your face is worth it! It has a natural sunscreen as well, great coverage and actually improves my skin overall.
Good Luck everyone! Sorry for the "book" but I want to help anyone that I can. Melasma sucks! LOL
Take care!!
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It depends on how you developed melasma but can recommend a treatment called cosmelan peel which is very effecive in removing melasma, it is expensive but definatley worth it...
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It depends on how you developed melasma but can recommend a treatment called cosmelan peel which is very effecive in removing melasma, it is expensive but definatley worth it...
hope this helps
samaira choudhary
hope this helps
samaira choudhary
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