[Jose]

I asked about this in another section and pretty much got ignored.

If I get ignored again, I'll take the hint.

Hello everybody, my name is Jose and I'm new here. I've been reading about melasma recently and read it's common in women but I don't know if males can have it too. I've had these scars on my face since I was 12 years old. I grew up with eczema which I took topical steroids to treat. I noticed after using a certain steroid cream on my face, it started to darken more and more. Every now and then I use a topical ointment and it will lighten up but it always gets dark again. I've been to numerous dermatologists and all they do is give me a bunch of topical ointments and creams that didn't work years ago and doesn't work now.

Anybody have any idea what's on my face and whether or not I can get rid of it??

Here's a pic of me:

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Freddy]

Hey man,

It looks like your skin is really aggrevated from all the stuff you were using. Kojic Acid would be the best bet for you at this point. It will take quite a bit for it to work but its gradual and effective. It may take up to 18 months to have complete treatment.

I would also recommend AHA peels, but judging by the reaction of your skin to other ailments I wouldn't take the chance; the same thing that's happened before with your skin lightening and then darkening may happen.

La Roche-Posay makes something called Mederm-D or something like that (I think I posted it in my blog, you can find that on this board, it would be one of the lasts post on it).

 

[vencasand]

sorry you were ignored in another section. i don't think it was on purpose. you are an attractive young man. do you use sunscreen on your face? after you get your skin on even color just make sure you use sunscreen. it might prevent the discoloration from the sun. freddy is a really smart guy. read his blog. best of luck.

 

[blaze]

hey Jose... dark skin does magnify any discoloration and it feels like an age to get rid of.. i too have suffered with something similar, got burnt in the sun, and being mixed race, it stood out. i used md formulations.. it has glycolic in it (maybe similiar to what Freddy is saying) .. but if your skin is dry it can have a tendancy to burn ... however AHA or MD products could be worth investigating .. i still suffer with a dry patch, which when bad looks like a shaving rash .. however deep moisturisation, sometimes with an oil (basic good one wheatgerm) used at night also works like a natural healer and exfoliator...

having said all this, always get the advice of the clinic you chose to use and like Vencasand mentions, sun protection is a MUST MUST MUST, your skin is already damaged so the sun and those raze are making it worse

good luck

blaze

 

[ondine]

Hi Jose. You were brave to post a photo of yourself like that! I can clearly see the unevenness to which you make reference. I doubt it is melasma, but there are so many disorders (including side effects of some meds) that can cause this that perhaps people did not respond because they did not think that they could help much. Addison's disease can cause hyperpigmentation (among its other symptoms). The first thing I'd suggest to you is getting a full physical with blood tests etc. to screen out any other possibilities. Just because this is showing in your skin doesn't mean its origins are not to be found elsewhere in your body. Some vitamins with high doses of beta carotene can cause blotchy skin (it happened to my mother!). Before tinkering with a bunch of creams that may exacerbate the problem you already have, please go see a doctor; not just a dermatologist. You might also see a nutritionist just to rule out any issues with nutrients and trace minerals. An endocrinologist will be able to sniff out any hormone related issues (could be your thyroid acting up!) and an allergist (some food sensitivities can cause this too). I am sorry I cannot be mpre precise; I am not medically trained at all. Please update us on your diagnosis & treatment protocol.

 

[Leslie]

Hi there Jose,

Kojic Acid is usually recommended by skin care professionals. It is a skin brightening agent which will not whiten your skin but will inhibit the melanin (color) production where it is applied, which will help even out your complexion. You absolutely MUST wear sunscreen, minimum SPF 15, especially while using Kojic Acid. Because if you don't your hyperpigmentation will worsen!! When used along with a lactic acid exfoliant the results can be amazing. You will not only see more dramatic results, but you would see them more rapidly as well. But don't take my word for it, although I am a professional, I think your first step would be to find a good medical spa in your area that specializes in ethnic skin, and have an in depth consultation. Because before you go and try to "self-medicate" you need to get to the bottom of the cause of your skins' condition. It could be hormonal, use of certain medications, environmental aggressor, harsh products or even stress. The use of some products may not be recommended along with certain medications, and may cause you more harm than good. So I suggest you consult with a professional that can customize a plan to get your skin healthy.

 

[Freddy]

I think you got alot of information to arm yourself with now, let us know how it goes.

 

[Jose]

I sure did and I appreciate all the advice, I'm definitely going to look into the courses of action I haven't tried yet which is just about everything you all mentioned. It makes sense to see another kind of doctor because I have been seeing dermatologists for years and some did offer temporary relief but it was always via steroids (pills, topicals, and injections). The steroids I use now keep my face pretty clear for the most part (that pic is old, I just wanted to give you all an idea of what I look like when I get off the steroids) but it doesn't completely clear it and the effects go away immediately after using it. I'm trying to get away from steroids but every single time I try, it breaks out all over again. Anyone know if I'm addicted to steroids?? I mean as if my skin will ever be fine without them??

And I fully understand a lot of you are not medical doctors and are just giving advice based on your own experiences. To be perfectly honest, I value opinions gained thru experience much more than those gained thru classrooms. No offense to any medical professionals that may be here. I just noticed the ones I go to don't listen. I tell them what doesn't work yet every one I go to gives me the same thing.

P.S. Oh and to answer some of your questions, yes I do use sunscreen. I never leave my house without it.

 

[Jose]

2 more things: does Meladerm help for situations like mine??

and

Where do I find Freddy's blog??

 

[Freddy]

http://www.skincaretalk.com/basic-sk...care-blog.html

There you go. And yes you can use Meladerm.

I understand your situation as to your view point towards medical professionals. To be perfectly honest with you, while it's not completely on topic, it related: When I first started working out with my personal trainer he told me alot of things. While they got me good results, they didn't give me the BEST results. I have since become a personal trainer (amongst other things) and now I see where the flaws were. Moral of the story is that for the most part professionals are right, but sometimes they just aren't and you gotta make up your own solutions.

Go with the Kojic Acid, stick with the sunscreen, hit up the vitamins, drink lots of water, and tackle one things at a time.

 

[Jose]

I'm reading up on Kojic Acid now

Do I buy the soap, gel, cream, lotion, etc??

Where do I buy vitamins/supplements??

I already drink lots of water, have been doing so since I was 14

I'm also trying to find a medical spa that specializes in ethnic skin in Miami Beach

So far it looks like a bunch of places advertising their products or is that what it's supposed to be??

 

[ondine]

Jose! Glad you made it. As you can see, your post was not at all ignored & everyone showed up with their best advice. Please, B4 you make this worse, get that physical. Remember that 'natural' does not mean 'good for you'. Some naturally occurring chemicals can cause harm. Since you clearly have something that is more than a mild nuisance happening, please leave well enough alone & check B4 trying to fix a problem you do not truly comprehend. Please keep us posted!

 

[UrbanSkin]

Hello Jose.
Do you scrub your face?
Are you exposed to a lot of sun?
Do you wear a sunblock with a UVA blocker religiously?

I don't think this is as serious as you think. I treat tons of NFL players with the exact same thing. Probably a combination of friction and sun exposure.

 

[UrbanSkin]

One more thing, Jose: No fragrances! They're reactive in the sun.

Describe exactly how you cleanse your face and what you use.

I'm convinced it's nothing more than friction, product use and sun. Look at any NFL roster photo and you'll see that I mean. Cheers!

 

[bluebird87]

didnt u say that it went away with likaas papaya soap in ur other thread long time back?

 

[nandi]

hi, jose, i ve been an esthetician for 9 years & currently and RN student. but i also support & trust in vitamin therapy.

i have not physically seen your skin, but like urban skin said, friction scrubing & sun exposure will cause you to HIP, also washing your face high water temp. & strong acidic face wash can cause that.

steroids enter your blood stream & also affect your adrenal glands, they make your skin extra sensitive, especially to acids so, peels and kojic acid at this point will only aggravate, inflame & irritate your skin. steroids are only to be used short term. it also looks like you have dry skin.

IMO, you should detox from the steriods before you start any thing else and use hylauronic acid to control the dryness, or a moisturizer that contains dimethicone to seal in the moisture.

try using MSM pure 99%, the plant form from pine bark+ VIT C, NAC, Q10, FLAXSEED OIL, a good probiotic and grapfruitseed extract & milk thistle.

these supplements will help clear the toxins in your bloodstream and body and help you rebuild new and better cells with much more permeable membranes and re-balance your systems PH which is probably more acidic. topical MSM lotion @ 15% will also hydrate your skin and help with repair and the liposome delivery system can carry your hylauronic acid deeper into your skin.

milk thistle, will help in detoxifying your liver which is responsible for detoxification & when it can not handle the job, it throws the excess to the skin which is next in line for detoxification and also the largest organ & it usually shows up on the face, more like your liver is saying (look at what you are doing to me!).

at the same time, you can not get off steroids cold turkey, use every other day, and when you are stable internally, then you shld come back for more advice on what to do next.

the supplements & creams should cost you just about $100 for every thing & you shld start to see major results in a month.

i agree that you should get a physical , that includes blood tests, just to rule out other types of diseases. the first thing you shld buy is MSM, vit C, & sunscreen & some patience good luck.

to get more info on MSM, just google benefits to MSM or go to Evolution Health and Fitness
you can buy the book, "the MSM miracle", by author, stanely jacob on amazon for about $6 ( not too sure about the authors name) but thats the only book out on MSM, i think.

Now, Foods has good MSM & i like the MSM lotion from trimedica i get all my supplements from HerbsProÂae: Now Foods, Jarrow Formulas, Source Naturals, Herb Pharm, Dr. Christophers Formula, Enzymatic Therapy, Peter Gillhams Natural Vitality, Natures Way, Topricin on Huge Discount this supplement also helps with eczema and other skin conditions including acne.

 

[nandi]

BTW, MSM promotes the lighter melanin cells called.........someone chip in! over the darker ones called..........

so after long term use, your body will continually produce mostly lighter melanin, which will make you lighter from head to toe.

i don't think that you have melasma but if you do, MSM & C & GSE+ probitics, will clear it & maybe you shld try a better sunscreen.

chloe is using cinnamon extract for HIP & preventon, maybe you should add that to your list, i just did.

MSM shows significant results when taken in higher doses-- around 6000-10 000mcg, it is not toxic so you can not overdose and any excess is cleaned out every 12 hrs do divide the doses to 2 times a day. start at 2000mcg & increase slowly, if you get headaches or gas, no worries, that is just toxins moving out of your system. sideeffects subside after a few days. you have to keep taking it since it leaves your body & your body does not make it, so when your body runs out of reserves, your symtoms return, it's like food, you have to eat everyday.

 

[ondine]

Jose; I remember you;you're the guy who got many of us hooked on Likas Papaya Soap. I recall you posting about how the sop had cleared up your problem. Has the problem returned? I think Urban hit it right on the head with her assessment. Are you still using Likas?

 

[eyecandi]

I think Jose already cleared up his skin nandi, although ur advice is still very useful as always

Looks like he cleared up using Glutathione soap and Obagi vitamin C serum

http://www.ecrater.com/p/4968795/glu...cid-soap-extra

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Pro...20%25_7430.htm

 

[EggoMini]

^ yes

http://www.skincaretalk.com/skin-lig...ark-marks.html