Melasma (hyper-pigmentation) help
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Fri Feb 19, 2010 4:06 am

Hi Ladies and Gents

First time to this forum - it seems very informative. I hope someone can recommend a product(s) to help me with melasma or hyper-pigmentation. I have very fair British skin which I ruined with sunbeds - although I was very brown (and stupid) for a while - I am now sun free and pale. However a combination or OCP and Sun and squeezing pore obsession has led to brown patches on my chin, upper lip and forehead.

I have been using a dermaroller and prescription strength retanol cream and not much improvement. I've read about TCA peels - not tried yet and Meladerm - has anyone tried it? Can any of you fabulous people tell me how to get back to the porcelain skin of my youth?

Wish I'd never set eyes on a sunbed, what a con they are.

That's it really - hope you can help. Thanks very much.

free skin care · Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:31 am

Obagi Nu Derm will definitely help with the hyperpigmentation/melasma. Best stuff out there for the pigmentation problems.

Fri Feb 19, 2010 3:44 pm

Thanks so much for your reply Rileygirl.

Can you tell me what it is about Obagi that makes it so good? Why is it better than retinol on it's own? So many ingredients in different products I like to know how they work so I don't end up 'doubling' up on certain products.

Thanks for your kind help

free skin care · Fri Feb 19, 2010 4:26 pm

Sengi wrote:

Thanks so much for your reply Rileygirl.

Can you tell me what it is about Obagi that makes it so good? Why is it better than retinol on it's own? So many ingredients in different products I like to know how they work so I don't end up 'doubling' up on certain products.

Thanks for your kind help

Nu Derm is a combination of Hydroquinone, glycolic or phytic acid (depending on which Exfoderm you get), and Retin A (it doesn't need to convert to retinoic acid like Retinol does), and of course sunscreen. The Cleanser and Toner work to prepare your skin to accept the products better. So, each one of the formulas "builds" on the other. It is a very intense treatment and one best used under a derm/esty so they can monitor your skin, etc. It requires 18 weeks of daily usage (you will be dry, red, flaking) and then you go on a maintenance of a few days a week of the products. It really can transform ones skin, but it is not for the faint of heart and there are a lot of "bad skin" days on the journey. Hope that helps, Sengi!

Fri Feb 19, 2010 4:34 pm

Right then would seem best to take a month of work at some point and see how I go. Thanks for your swift reply. Not sure I could cope with red and flakes right now. But very tempted - will update if I go ahead. Just ordered some Meladerm so will try that first

Many thanks have a good weekend.

free skin care · Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:00 pm

I also suffer from Melasma. I have olive oil skin and have hormonal problems. As a matter of
fact, I have always suffered from it, I am 47 now and dark circles under my eyes.
What has worked for me to keep under control is
MSM (at least 3 caps per day), vitamin C orally and lately topical and of course sun screen.
Try all these and you will see the change, mostly by the topical vitamin C (skinceuticals or Vivier).

free skin care · Sat Feb 20, 2010 1:19 am

Sengi,
Obagi is the only product that has helped me get rid of my melasma, I'm currently on week 10

free skin care · Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:41 am

I have to agree with blueeyes and rileygirl, I suffered from melasma also and tried various treatments including IPL. Obagi was the only treatment that really made a difference. I'm on my 12 weeks and the redness, peeling and flaky skin has been worth it. It's a intense treatment but I'm getting the results I wanted.

free skin care · Sat Feb 20, 2010 7:44 am

Sengi wrote:

Right then would seem best to take a month of work at some point and see how I go. Thanks for your swift reply. Not sure I could cope with red and flakes right now. But very tempted - will update if I go ahead. Just ordered some Meladerm so will try that first

Many thanks have a good weekend.

Good luck with whatever you try. I did just want to say that no you don't have to take time off of work to go through Nu Derm. I don't think anyone would be able to afford that!

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:32 am

Hey gals...I am thinking of trying the Obagi system in the near future, these damn freckles don't seem to want to go away very easily. Anyone care to tell where they purchased theirs from?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:46 am

Always go to a dermatologist.- it's sold by prescription only. Also you will have someone to go to for any problems with it and have your particular skin issues evaluated for which of the systems is best for you.
G

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:02 pm

bren21 wrote:

Hey gals...I am thinking of trying the Obagi system in the near future, these damn freckles don't seem to want to go away very easily. Anyone care to tell where they purchased theirs from?

You can purchase them right here on EDS, bren. Though I do really recommend being under someones care, also. It is a very harsh system and you will be red, flaky, dry, and generally uncomfortable for probably the entire 18 weeks. Have you tried the lemon bioferment that Nanci at NCN sells? It is supposed to work very well and quickly, so might be something to think about.

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:16 pm

Hey Riley...you know, I was reading on that lemon stuff at NCN and was thinking of giving that a go a while back. So you hear it works that good? Maybe I should try it out....thanks for the tip!

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:33 pm

I've been using SkinBiology's copper peptides and you have to be patient and not freak out. Peptides bring hidden damage to the surface and then it flakes away. You know those dermatologist photos where you can see all the damage under the skin that looks like masses of freckles? That has to come out. In a couple of weeks they fade. I used to use hydroquinone but that just suppressed the damage. I also dermaroll once a month.

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:35 am

blueeyes wrote:

Sengi,
Obagi is the only product that has helped me get rid of my melasma, I'm currently on week 10

Even with Obagi, won't it still come back once the skin gets unprotected sun exposure? I've had some minimal success with my melasma over the years (not tried Obagi), but five minutes outside w/o sunscreen always brings it right back.

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:30 am

I´m thinking about purchasing the Lemon Peeling. It has lots of good reviews and minor discomfort reported by the users. It´s also not very expensive (25$). Also thinking about purchasing Be Kind Rewind.
Thanks to some lovely ladies who have been helping me chosing the best products for my acne and pill dark marks, I finally have a plan! Smile

Love u all!

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:32 am

fadedgirl wrote:

Even with Obagi, won't it still come back once the skin gets unprotected sun exposure? I've had some minimal success with my melasma over the years (not tried Obagi), but five minutes outside w/o sunscreen always brings it right back.

Yes, most definitely. Anything that works to fade the pigmentation will be totally undone if you step outside without sunscreen? If a person is worried about pigmentation issues, they should Always wear sunscreen. The sun is the major cause of the pigmentation issues.

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:55 am

Without any doubt Smile

Sunscreens are the girl´s best friends! I love my Anthelios 50 + Smile

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:59 am

rileygirl wrote:

fadedgirl wrote:

Even with Obagi, won't it still come back once the skin gets unprotected sun exposure? I've had some minimal success with my melasma over the years (not tried Obagi), but five minutes outside w/o sunscreen always brings it right back.

Yes, most definitely. Anything that works to fade the pigmentation will be totally undone if you step outside without sunscreen? If a person is worried about pigmentation issues, they should Always wear sunscreen. The sun is the major cause of the pigmentation issues.

Thanks Riley!

Wow, I am in awe of you guys that go through 18 weeks of Obagi. I know myself too well to do that, because even if I just go from my door to my car (about 10') without serious sunscreen on BAM its back.

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:08 pm

rileygirl wrote:

fadedgirl wrote:

Even with Obagi, won't it still come back once the skin gets unprotected sun exposure? I've had some minimal success with my melasma over the years (not tried Obagi), but five minutes outside w/o sunscreen always brings it right back.

Yes, most definitely. Anything that works to fade the pigmentation will be totally undone if you step outside without sunscreen? If a person is worried about pigmentation issues, they should Always wear sunscreen. The sun is the major cause of the pigmentation issues.

Agree and with the constant sunshine here in Florida I know you can't walk to the mailbox and back inside without feeling the effect of sun on your skin, have to have our sunscreen! Smile

DM

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