[Jessica]

Hi. I'm a 32 yr old mixed race female (medium brown complexion) with serious hyper pigmentation issues. The bridge of my nose has a large, dark brown patch (several shades daker than the rest of my face) and, I have an even darker patch of skin above my top lip.

Over the past couple of years, I've spent thousands of pounds on dermatologists, lotions, potions and cosmetic treatments to no avail. Every product promised to rid me of my hyper pigmentation, as did every treatment. I once payed £1,200 on a skin peel and £800.00 on an hour's session of laser treatment. I am not a rocket scientist, but neither am I the bluntest tool in the box. I consider myself to be of average intelligence, but one would hardly think so, considering the number of times I've fallen for the ultimate 'magic cure.'

I was at my wit's end until I happened upon Civant's site. Ever the optimist, (or fool), I ordered every item they recommended - face wash, toner, Meladerm hyper pigmentation cream, microdermabrasion cloths & moisturiser. Delivery was prompt - 7 days. My order arrived 5 days ago. I was very hopeful that this time, I'd lose my moustache. Well, that was until I'd read messages posted on this site. I've been using the Meladerm products for 4 days. I will continue use until I see results or, not. Meanwhile, if there's anybody out there who has used a product which actually works, please, please, please get in touch, as am not expecting my100th miracle cure to perform miracles. However, in the event that Meladerm does work, I'll let you all know.

If anybody has read this in it's entirety, I thank you for your paitence as I do have a habit of rabitting on.

 

[caribcutie]

Try Retin A and 4% hydroquinone. This should clear it up quickly. Also make sure to eat well, drink plenty of water and excercise. This is basically the Obagi program, which is used to get rid of hyperpigmentation. The line consists of more steps, but it basically boils down to the Retin A and hydroquinone. I hope this helps

 

[ondine]

I am using the HQ4% & Tretinoin 0.1% (Retin A) & it has really made a difference. Many people here have reported on a variety of products that have given them mediocre to no results. Years ago I'd tried meladeerm & I found it to be ridiculously overpriced & ineffective. Perhaps you'll have better luck with it than I did.

 

[Jasmin]

I have just joined, have so many questions, then saw your reply. Where can I, get this stuff, as I too have brown patches. When I was young, they were called freckles, but now they are called sun damaged. Even told it was a pregnancy mask!!!! Lol...... Anyway, I am willing to try anything which someone can actually claim it works.

 

[caribcutie]

Do a google search, type in Retin A and 4% hydroquinone without a prescription. I purchased my stuff from an Indian company, because the Canadian companies now require a prescription. If you can get a presription, then you have no problems.

 

[gymrat]

I have just joined, have so many questions, then saw your reply. Where can I, get this stuff, as I too have brown patches. When I was young, they were called freckles, but now they are called sun damaged. Even told it was a pregnancy mask!!!! Lol...... Anyway, I am willing to try anything which someone can actually claim it works.

Jasmin- I have used kojic acid and it works wonders!
kojic acid - Google Search

Good luck to you-

 

[proscons]

oh wow
tell me how meladerm works for you please

 

[Jessica]

Try Retin A and 4% hydroquinone. This should clear it up quickly. Also make sure to eat well, drink plenty of water and excercise. This is basically the Obagi program, which is used to get rid of hyperpigmentation. The line consists of more steps, but it basically boils down to the Retin A and hydroquinone. I hope this helps

Thank you so much for your advice. I shall continue using my supply of Meladerm until it runs out (have now been at it for 10 days). If there are no visible changes, I will definitely try the product you kindly recommended. Once again, thank you.

 

[Jessica]

I am using the HQ4% & Tretinoin 0.1% (Retin A) & it has really made a difference. Many people here have reported on a variety of products that have given them mediocre to no results. Years ago I'd tried meladeerm & I found it to be ridiculously overpriced & ineffective. Perhaps you'll have better luck with it than I did.

Am now on my 10th day with Meladerm - I know it isn't long enough to tell whether the product works, but so far, I haven't seen much of a difference. I will exhaust my current supply (have to give it chance, although, I'm not holding my breath). If it doesn't work, I will absolutely try the product you've recommended - your response is the second recommendation of the product you suggested. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my nightmare problem.

 

[Jessica]

oh wow
tell me how meladerm works for you please

Am on my 10th day with Meladerm. I know it isn't long enough to tell whether the product works, so I shall exhaust my current supply and will let you know if I get the result I'm hoping for.

After stumbling across Meladerms' site and reading all the glowing testamonials, I ordered the kit X 2 (I'm a desperate woman). Having previously spent thousands of pounds on products which didn't work, I thought it was cheap at the price - products tend to cost twice as much (if not more) in the Uk, than in the US. So, am guessing I've at least 2 months worth to get through. I'm no quitter so, I shall persevere with the Meladerm routine. Besides, it'd be silly to discontinue use as I haven't given it long enough. Also, it's bought and paid for so I may as well go with the flow.

Anyhow, you will be the first to know (well, second, after my poor face) the result of my Meladerm excursion.

 

[caribcutie]

You're welcome Jessica! I think at this point you should try prescription strength products. You will notice a difference. You can also try Lactic Acid peels. Lactic Acid is great for hyperpigmentation and it's very mild. It does not burn the skin and you will not peel like a snake. LOL! Try this with the 4% hydroquinone and Retin A 0.04% and you should notice a difference in a short space of time. I noticed a difference in a week. I know everyone's skin is different, but it's worth trying.

 

[caribcutie]

I do the Lactic Acid peels 2x weekly

 

[Jessica]

You're welcome Jessica! I think at this point you should try prescription strength products. You will notice a difference. You can also try Lactic Acid peels. Lactic Acid is great for hyperpigmentation and it's very mild. It does not burn the skin and you will not peel like a snake. LOL! Try this with the 4% hydroquinone and Retin A 0.04% and you should notice a difference in a short space of time. I noticed a difference in a week. I know everyone's skin is different, but it's worth trying.

Thank u, again. I'm heaps more optimistic!

Am off on a 2 week skiing holiday to France. I turned down 2 weeks in Bermuda for fear of worsening my hyper-pigmentation - insane, I know, but my skin has really been getting me down. Thanks to this forum, yourself and all those who took the time to respond to my problem, I'm so very optimistic.

I will now enjoy my holiday and, on my return, I've resolved to ditch my current facial regime in order to experiment with your recommendation. Wise? I've no idea, but my resolve to ditch Meladerm, stems from the fact that the only glowing testimonials I've seen have been on Civant's sleek site.

Thank u so, so much for your advice. Will keep you posted. Lol.

 

[proscons]

wow Good luck Jessica
I look forward to hearing about your results.
I am really interested in the meladerm cream, its marketed so well and the site is so persuasive.
Btw good move on not going to bermuda lol!
i hope your skin lightenss!

 

[Jessica]

wow Good luck Jessica
I look forward to hearing about your results.
I am really interested in the meladerm cream, its marketed so well and the site is so persuasive.
Btw good move on not going to bermuda lol!
i hope your skin lightenss!

Hello, Proscons. Am back from my holiday with mixed feelings concerning Meladerm.

Despite being of mixed race, I knew nothing of skin lighteners - due, I guess, to the fact that I live in an almost all-white town in the South of England. I followed the instructions to the letter, and used Meladerm over the whole of my face. Consequently, my overall skin tone is lighter. It was not my intention to do a Michael Jackson - I simply intended lightening the dark patches on the bridge of my nose and upper lip.

The pigmentation on the bridge of my nose is breaking up and is significantly reduced. However, the product has done absolutely nothing for my upper lip. If anything, it looks darker. I'm uncertain if this is due to the contrast created by my lighter skin tone - whatever the actual reason, I'm extremely unhappy with my lighter skin tone - I've had to purchase different shades of foundation and concealer. I will continue using the product, but only on my nose and upper lip. I don't hold out much hope for my upper lip, however, it's working fantastically on my nose.

Because of my mixed results, I'll neither encourage you to use the product or, dissaude you from experimenting with it. Lol.

 

[ondine]

Thanks for posting honestly about your results. I have seen many posts from people who tried this cream & have had no results to speak of. Part of the problems here too is the exhorbitant price. You'd need to buy tons of it & spend a fortune to get visible widespread results. I am getting great results from HQ4% & tretinoin 0.1%. You might want to try this routine. I got the idea from LaDonna who posted it in From 'Lauryn to Mariah'. Check it out!

 

[Jessica]

Thanks for posting honestly about your results. I have seen many posts from people who tried this cream & have had no results to speak of. Part of the problems here too is the exhorbitant price. You'd need to buy tons of it & spend a fortune to get visible widespread results. I am getting great results from HQ4% & tretinoin 0.1%. You might want to try this routine. I got the idea from LaDonna who posted it in From 'Lauryn to Mariah'. Check it out!

Hello, Ondine. Thank you for your kind response.

I've just spoken with a trainee dermatologist friend who, informed me that cosmetic/pharmaceutical products containing more than 2% HQ are banned within the United Kindom. If this is, indeed, the case, I feel it would be unwise of me to import any product contanining HQ 4%. Having just qualified as a barrister, it would be unseemly to receive a letter from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, chastising me for importing, what is, to all intents and purposes, illegal in my country.

As you suggested, I checked out LaDonna's post. I was both intrigued and disturbed by the depth of feeling her post engendered. I am completely ignorant to the facts surrounding the HQ debate - it appears to have as many exponents as it has detractors. I must say, though, that LaDonna is one brave lady for sticking her head above the parapet. Over the past few weeks, I've learned more about skin care products from this forum than I have in my adult life - thank you all.

Would you have any other recommendations to help me rid my face of its moustache? A couple of forum members have recommended Kojic acid. What are your thoughts on the product? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Lol.

 

[caribcutie]

The retin a works well also. Use it with the 2% Hq if that's all you have acess to. The retin a will work very quickly. Also I use the gel (retin a) because I have oily skin. If you have dry skin order the retin a in the cream form.

 

[Jessica]

The retin a works well also. Use it with the 2% Hq if that's all you have acess to. The retin a will work very quickly. Also I use the gel (retin a) because I have oily skin. If you have dry skin order the retin a in the cream form.

Hello, Caribcutie. I replied to your private e-mail last week, hope it was helpful.

As you are aware, I have had mixed results with meladerm. Initially, I was drawn to the product because of its claims on the melasma front. Whilst the product has done absolutely nothing for my upper lip, it has significantly depigmented my nose. Unfortunately (due to my ignorance), I used the product on the whole of my face, as opposed to just the areas I intended lightening. Consequently, my skin tone is a shade lighter. The contrast between my lighter skin tone and 'moustache' is just awful - my upper lip appears much darker, so I'm not a very happy bunny.

I spent most of last night researching Retinol. I've found a health spa in my town which sells Retin A 0.5% and Retin A 1.0%. Which would you recommend I use?

Thank you ever so much for taking the time (again) to respond. Lol.

 

[ondine]

Just thinkinh: have you been waxing your upper lip area or using another method to remove hair? Some women (& men too) wind up with a hyperpigmented shadow on their upper lip. Speak to a dermatologist or an esthetician. She may be able to help you devise a therapeutic plan to solve your problem. Good luck!