5 yrs, 4 mths ago

Melasma and Sun avoidance.

Hey there Lovelies,

I was hoping that some of you could shed some light on melasma management.

My melasma is driving me crazy and sad.

I have been avoiding leaving the house fearing among other things, Sun exposure.

If I must leave the house, I religiously wear UPF clothing and a huge 10cm broad brimmed hat.

I also diligently wear tinted physical sunscreen, use a blue screen filter, a retinoid (tretinoin 0.05%), vitamin C, E, ferulic acid, niacinamide and azelaic acid.

I also use bearberry, liquorice and a glycolic acid wash but I feel the melasma is not budging.

I have a family member who is a dermatologist but for ethical reasons, I can’t see them.

My skin is quite tan courtesy of my Indian Mum but with this Indian heritage, I’ve also inherited a predisposition to melasma.

I swear it worsened after pregnancy but wasn’t necessarily caused by pregnancy hormones!

I have patches on both cheeks and across my nose as pictured (ignore my undereye allergy shiners).

I can’t afford laser treatments at present.

What has worked for you and how do you deal with the horrid effects of the Australian Sun?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

xx

16 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 5 yrs, 2 mths ago

    I have sun allergy for last ten years or so and from basking in the sun I have to approach the sun exposure with a lot of caution. Tanning is out of question and it always happen at the first occasion of sun exposure. After the rush is gone, I can worship a sun tiny bit without my skin rebelling against it. i even found a scientific name of this condition : polymorphic light eruption or some call it sun poison

    • 5 yrs, 2 mths ago

      Woah.

      You poor thing!

      Whenever I’m in the Sun, I feel incredibly nauseous!

  • 5 yrs, 3 mths ago

    I am currently pregnant and am extremely cautious about getting Melasma. I have had issues with hyperpigmentation in the past outside the pregnancy because that’s my family’s skin type (we don’t wrinkle, but we get hyperpigmentation).

    As a preggo woman, part of my maintenance currently is a selection of Korean and Japanese mineral sunscreens like Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SunMilk (plus Cerave Mineral Sunscreen). At night, I use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, Glycolic Toner 2%, and Alpha Arbutin (available at Myer) alternately.

    I’m not an expert but I have had skin troubles since I hit puberty and these were recommended to me by my dermatologist. Consult with your derma if you are unsure, but these are considered safe during my pregnancy.

    • 5 yrs, 3 mths ago

      Hi Herika,

      Thanks for the heads up on your regimen.

      I’m using:

      CeraVe PM with The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% (double dosing)

      Neostrata Glycolic acid wash 20%

      Azclear Azelaic acid 20%

      The Ordinary: Vitamin C 30% and TO: Ferulic Acid

      Tretinoin: 0.05%

      Lactic acid 15%: once a week

      Bearberry, bilberry and liquorice glycerin based extracts

      I`ve just added:

      Hada Labo Whitening Gel (old formula with Arbutin).

      Likas Papaya soap (using it on e a week as it’s incredibly drying).

      Does Myer stock The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin?

      Thanks again and have a good Christmas!

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Oh .. well I understand! I do have some myself ! But I think most Aussie dwellers do .. I also think we only notice our own!
    Hope you have a great weekend too! Xx

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    For what it’s worth … I had to look really hard to see anything and would never have noticed unless it was mentioned! I think you look great!

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Hi there Rpear,

      Thanks for your lovely comments.

      I suppose I`m rather self conscious of it as most of us are with seemingly little things…

      Have a great weekend!

      xo

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    I use papaya enzyme soap that I got from overseas and it works wonders not only on the face but overall body
    I’m sure you’ll be able to find it in an organic store & possibly a Japanese or Korean store. Only other thing is that it dries out your skin a fair bit but nothing you’re daily moisturiser cannot fix, I use fresh aloe Vera to help with the Dried out skin xx

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Thanks!

      Yes, I have used Likas soap in past and it definitely brightens skin.

      I don’t want to become paler overall but just get rid of the annoying spots.

      A friend just gave me some Hada Labo Whitening Gel so I will try that.

      I have fresh green and ripe papaya skin and seeds that I dry.

      Hoping it resolves within the year!

      xx

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    this might be helpful- very extensive forum thread that lots of bh members have suggested and contributed to

    https://www.beautyheaven.com.au/forums/skincare/hydroquinone-hq-best-skin-lightener-for-pigmentation-and-melasma?page=41#comment-4283691

    GETTING RID OF MY PIGMENTATION/ MELASMA WITH TRETINOIN, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN C & AHA/BHA

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Thank so much ray_jay,

      Just about to check it out!

      Have a fabulous weekend!

      xo

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    I saw that BH member Yohanna mentioned she has melasma on the Invisible Zinc tinted day wear trial team thread. Maybe check out that thread and see what she has to say about it. I wish we could tag members in things so I could tag her for you!

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Thank-you so, so much!

      Will hit Yohanna up for advice…

      I have just ordered a UPF 50 hat.

      x

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Yohanna has had a lot of success with that. She kept saying she had melasma but when I see her every single time her skin is glowing. Wouldn`t have picked that up at all.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    I had never heard of this Lucy16 so I had to google it: https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/melasma/
    on the Australasian College of Dermatologists website. It seem chemical peels work plus a list of other treatments. Checkout the website and see which is most suitable for you.

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Thanks cityglenda,

      I actually have a family member who is a dermatologist but I can`t see them due to ethical issues.

      I looking for more day to day treatment rather than peels or laser at present.

      That website is a fount of information!

      Thanks again for your help! 🙂

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