Pigmanorm for Melasma - experiences

[Scampi13]

Does anyone have any experience with using Pigmanorm (hydroquinone 5%, hydrocortisone 1% and tretinoin 0.1%) for treating Melasma?

I was prescribed it by a dermatologist in Harley Street for Melasma on my forehead. The Consultant advised me to use it all over my face (not just forehead). I did this for the first 2 days - as instructed I put a pea size amount all over for an hour, then washed it off, then the next night increased to 2hrs, then washed off. The next day my chin was so dry, red and started burning. I stopped using the Pigmanorm but my chin by this point continued to get worse - severe burning, redness, skin peeling, cracking and bleeding. It was absolute agony and lasted over a week. Thank goodness for masks! My chin now has hyperpigmentation though - whereas before it did not! I have no idea if this will disappear. I’m too worried to reapply the Pigmanorm on my chin in case I have another bad reaction like this and make it even worse.

I have since continued to use it on my forehead only (where my problematic Melasma is), and it seems to be having a positive effect. But now I have another issue with my chin which I didn’t before!

Have others been advised to apply the cream all over their face? Rather than just on the Melasma itself? I’ve been using it 1 month now, and I’m keen to discontinue as I know it is strong stuff and the forehead Melasma has already improved.

I know it is not indicated to use during pregnancy or trying to conceive, but does anyone know how long you need to stop using the treatment in advance? I’m not sure how long it remains in the system.

Sorry for the long, rambling post! Looking forward to hearing others experiences with Pigmanorm/ Hydroquinone treatment.

Hi,I’m not using Pignanorm but I’m using a formulation from Dermatica (online dermatology) which is 4% hydroquine and 0.1% tretinoin plus niamicide (spelling?!).

When I started on a lower dose formulation I never washed it all off,they do say use every other day to start though if you need to.

They do say to use all over the face and not just on the problem areas 🤷‍♀️

When my prescription was increased I did have sore skin and peeling skin,it was a bit grim! They have since changed the formula and now I have no problems.

It’s important to use really basic moisturiser in the evenings and a really good spf in the mornings (you’ve probably been told this).

As for the pregnancy and bf I know you can’t use it but I don’t know how long it stays in your system,my guess is not long but obviously get some proper advice from your dermatologist.

Thank you so much for replying. There's so much negativity online about hydroquinone it is quite worrying. Hence why I'm keen to use for a short time only. But it is working well on my forehead and I can see a difference in just 1 month.

I never really understood why I was supposed to apply it all over my face - my dermatologist will probably go mad when I next see her! I'm assuming it is to give an even tone all over, but surely I will just end up lightening the rest of my face (which has no melasma) - so how will that ever match my forehead if I do that?! But what do I know, I'm not an expert... :)

I don’t think it will lighten anything that doesn’t need it,it’s more to make sure the skin is the same texture all over? I’m totally guessing though 😀

I haven’t read any negativity about hydroqunine,and this is the only treatment that has worked for my pigmentation. Amazing stuff!

Hi, I just opened pigmanorm- is it meant to be a yellowish colour?

The cream is not white in colour- there is a tinge of cream/yellow to it.....is this normal?

I've used it over the years for age spots and it's the only cream that works at getting rid of them on my face