Melasma

Question: Melasma??? Hello,I'm a 33 yr old man of Indian descent .I've fair skin but ,but I''m having this dark facial skin discoloration specially on my cheek bones,two dark brown spots almost size of a penny*sigh* 2 yrs back I went through this lazer treatment and it really helped for like 1 year. Now it's (discoloration)back...My dermatologist says it's Melasma .I used a prescribed cream called "Tri-Luma® Cream" which really did not help. My skin turned red ...looked like I've blusher on or something. right now I'm using "Meladerm® Pigment Reducing Complex" and during the time I'm using " Neutrogena Ultra Sheer™ Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 & 70 " . my face still looks dull .I avoid the sun doing whatever best I can do still the color tone of my body and face does not match not to metion the damn Melasma. any Suggestions??? Thanks regards

Answer: skin lighteners and sunscreen are not enough for a successful even skin tone.. skin lighteners will get rid of your hyperpigmentation, melasma, freckles, etc (product should be safe and effective), sunscreen will keep it that way, but you'll also need moisturizers to keep skin hydrated and rosy.. get more tips here -

Question: any food that reduce melasma which increased by contraceptive shots? i recently had a contraceptive shot and ended up having freckles and hyperpigmented spots. i know this is because of melasma, and i wonder if there's some food that can balance this out?

Answer: No foods that I'm aware of but I would recommend checking with your doctor as well to see what they say.

Question: Beauty experts and consumers-Do you know of any good concealers or foundations for covering melasma? I am using Tri-Luma to treat my Melasma (dark spots) on my face but in the mean time I would like to be able to cover them without looking like a clown. I have fair skin, any suggestions from anyone dealing with this problem? Thanks.

Answer: I use Make Up Forever Mat Velvet foundation and a very light liquid concealer (Physicians Formula makes a good one), followed by Bare Minerals. I've been getting glycolic peels to treat mine as well and it's made a huge improvement. Make sure you use a very high SPF (45 Aveeno) every single day.

Question: What is the most effective treatment for melasma? What is your opinion on various treatments for melasma? Costs? How long until visable results?

Answer: Azelaic acid is sometimes used...

Question: Did anyone have melasma after they gave birth? How did you get rid of it? I never really had it during my pregnancy, but 3 months post-partum I got it really bad on my forehead. I already use Tri-luma cream from the dermatologist. Does anyone have any advice on clearing it up? I have frekles and like them, all I want is the melasma gone!

Answer: I got it while i was pregnant for my last child (she'll be 3 in Feb.). I still have mine, on my upper lip (to me, it looks like a moustache!). I found this list of treatments on Wikipedia. I think I'll ask my doctor about them myself. Treatments to hasten the fading of the discolored patches include: Topical depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone (HQ) either in over-the-counter (2%) or prescription (4%) strength. HQ is a chemical that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the production of melanin. Tretinoin, an acid that increases skin cell (keratinocyte) turnover. This treatment cannot be used during pregnancy. Azelaic acid (20%), thought to decrease the activity of melanocytes. Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid. Laser treatment. A Wood's lamp test should be used to determine whether the melasma is epidermal or dermal. If the melasma is dermal, laser (or "IPL") will acually DARKEN and worsen the appearance of the spots. Dermal melasma is generally unresponsive to most treaments, and has only been found to lighten with products containing mandelic acid. In all of these treatments the effects are gradual and a strict avoidance of sunlight is required. The use of broad-spectrum sunscreens with physical blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide is preferred over that with only chemical blockers. This is because UV-A, UV-B and visible lights are all capable of stimulating pigment production. Cosmetic cover-ups can also be used to reduce the appearance of melasma.

Question: What Arbonne product is good for skin lightening/melasma? I have melasma and have tried everything. These brown spots drive me crazy and I don't have the money for laser surgery. One of my friends said she heard Arbonne sold something that was pretty effective but not sure what. I don't want to call a rep., anyone here know? I will purchase from ebay once I know.

Answer: I would say the Re9 Face Serum, or else the Re9 Papaya Enzyme Peel. They're both excellent. If you can afford the entire Re9 line, that's the best, but if not, one of these products is key. Also... if you know someone who sells it, you can probably get a discount or just sign up for the discount. That's what I do and its so much cheaper. HTH!

Question: Does anyone know a treatment for melasma that actually works? It appeared on my face about 4 years ago. I've seen many doctors, tried all sorts of creams, always using sunblock and trying to stay away from the sun. It's not only not going away, but actually spreading further. Cannot identify the cause - the usual culprits - pregnancy, pills, etc. - are not the reason in my case. Does anyone know any effective treatment? Don't know if this is related, but have also been suffering from hair loss since about the same time as melasma appeared. Any clue? Thanks.

Answer: FIRST OFF, AN ADD: if you can, see a doctor specializing in Endocrinology or Endocrinologist, IF YOU CAN'T, ask that your doctors TEST these GLANDULAR levels, because SOMETHING IS WRONG SOMEWHERE. Or this wouldn't be going on. hmm, perhaps below for the hair loss, but it could also be caused be excess male hormones, have u increased in male symptoms, like an Adams Apple, or greasy face, or perhaps a small "mustache." If not, what about "female changes." Or, even if NONE of these, the hair alone could be the sign. . . , or perhaps its its just alopecia . . . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alopecia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alopecia_ar… However, for the Melasma (or Mask of Pregnancy) I'd go to a department store like Dillards, Sears, or a High End one (or even Walgreens drug store) and look for a CREAM with 4% HYDROQUININE in it. This will lighten your skin, hopefully removing the blemish. However, if it isn't enough, you can see a dermatologist to get an 8% Hydroquinine cream, or Retin-a that will remove the dermise. Also, it sounds like an overproduction of "melanin" and your dermatologist may need to "paint" you to remove the offending skin color permanently (much like Michael Jackson) but this is usually done ONLY to the collar line and not in such a DRASTIC manner. I have a condition called Vitiligo where I have "white" patches appear (the opposite problem as you) and I decided simply to "stay out of the sun" instead of getting "painted." It has now been 10 years out of the sun and I'm as pale as can be, but you can't see any white spots either! Woot! So good luck!

Question: How do you get rid of Melasma? My sister has Melasma. She wears sunblock and even got some kind of cream from the doctor but neither of these things seem to have made a dent!! Any suggestions?

Answer: Is your sister pregnant or on birth control? If so, tell her not to fear as melasma usually goes away on its own several months after delivery or after stopping birth control. Otherwise, she can see a dermatologist to try a different cream, a facial peel or laser treatment. If she chooses not to have a procedure done, she can opt to cover the pigmentation. Tell her to buy dermablend. It is a makeup that was created to cover birthmarks so it is very effective. It even comes in a waterproof version. She can find it at higher end department stores and at many drug stores. Please warn her that is on the pricey side. It is essential that she avoids sunlight or, if she is in it, that her sunblock contains titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide so tell her to read the ingredients.

Question: If you stop birth control pills, will the skin condition melasma go away? I have a skin condition, melasma, which makes these dark splotches appear on my forehead. I'm pretty sure they're from my birth control pills. If I stop birth control, will the melasma go away?

Answer: You are right that the pill tends to bring out melasma. Stopping the pill will stop the pill's aggravation of the problem and there may even be some slight fading. However, the pigment will not fully disappear on its own. You will probably need some treatment with topical bleaches, peels, or even laser like devices, if it bothers you enough.

Question: How can I treat melasma or brown spots during pregnancy?? I was teating my melasma with 4% Hydroquinone cream for about 4 weeks. I am now 5 weeks pregnant and is already getting worse! Is there any safe treatment to at least keept under control while I have the baby? Help!

Answer: a boiled egg no joke it works do it right after you have the baby you could also try it be for you have the baby