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Original poster

Hyper pigmentation

39 replies

phoolani · 06/08/2017 15:46

Anybody had any success treating hyper pigmentation on the face? It started when I was pregnant (chloasma? I always want to call it cloaca, which is the single vagina/anus thing platypuses have - I don't have that), but it's persisting and getting worse. Any products or treatments anybody can suggest that have worked?

OP posts:
WhatEaglesWear · 06/08/2017 15:51

Watching this!

I have it too and it was as a result of pregnancy.

I was talked into a serum by The Ordinaty, Arbutin but has been useless.

Original poster
phoolani · 07/08/2017 14:09

Just you and me then Eagles!

OP posts:
LockedOutOfMN · 07/08/2017 19:11

I live in Spain where there are lots of products containing "rosa moqueta" (a kind of rose) which claim to fade hyperpigmentation. No idea if they work. They tend to contain Hylauronic acid too. I'm talking toners, moisturising creams, mostly. I have no idea whether they work - maybe beauty bloggers (Sali Hughes?) or YouTubers or review sites like Amazon might be able to help?

Notfootball · 07/08/2017 22:18

Whereabouts on your face do you get it?

bellaandby · 07/08/2017 22:19

I have it too

Around my mouth and on my cheeks. Sun makes it worse but I love being outside!

minipie · 07/08/2017 22:23

I have it. Pregnancy started it, now the Pill makes it worse. But the Pill is helping my acne so rock and hard place!

Dermatologist says laser (the heavy duty type that makes you look burned for a week) is the only thing that will really fade it.

FineOldCriminals · 07/08/2017 22:24

What did for mine was Dennis Gross alpha beta peel, plus the Zest brightening thing: it comes back though, with anything but Institut Esthederm Photo Regul as a sunscreen when it's remotely sunny. I use regular factor 50 in the winter in the UK and that's enough.

QOD · 07/08/2017 22:26

Malasma?
I have it
I also have a severe vitamin D deficiency so am ordered outside daily

Tsk

Applebei · 07/08/2017 23:29

Azelaic acid helps.

A good glycolic acid toner after cleansing and before applying the AA will help it penetrate your skin more deeply.

High sunscreen is a must, every hour on the face if you must be in direct sunlight! This is to prevent more melasma forming, and you must use sunscreen if you are using glycolic acid anyway.

Excercise & healthy diet to help balance hormones. I take maca root capsules - they're supposed to help with hormones, no idea if they actually do but they do seem to help with my energy levels.

These things have all improved my melasma - they're not miracle workers, it's been a slow fade and the melasma is still there, but it has improved it a lot.

crazymissdaisy · 07/08/2017 23:35

Lol at the platypus cloaca, how v educational mumsnet is! I find estee lauder ee cream , to even skin tone, hides it v well. It's like a tinted moisturiser. I wear it over foundation

LoadsaBlusher · 07/08/2017 23:43

I use factor 50 on face in sun
I've had it for years
I just use good cover up make up

Original poster
phoolani · 07/08/2017 23:52

I get it round my mouth, especially on my chin. I don't notive it most of the year (wear factor 50 every day), but I'm currently on holiday and my chin in particular is terrible. I put on factor 50 before so much as glancing at the sun, wear a peaked hat and stay in the shade apart from when the kids drag me out of it and it's still really bad.
Mini pie - my demo keeps recommending fraxel - is that what you mean? I'm desparately trying to avoid it, due to the cost apart from the scary after effects!
Apple - what's fot Azaliac acid in?
I'm going to try the Dennis Gross stuff - I have some other things of his and they seem to be doing their job.
QOD - my bit d levels were through the floor - and then I got a dog; within 6 months they were normal!

OP posts:
Machine1234 · 08/08/2017 00:09

I have this, its so annoying Angry. How long have you had it? It will fade in time but that could take years.

I had it with first pregnancy over 5 years ago. Not sure about its appearance on other people but mine was really noticeable head to toe hyper pigmentation, with accentuated pigmentation on groin, armpits, face. I even had friends asking if I'd been on holiday! I didn't use any treatments because I didn't think anything would alter the melanin production but gradually over a course of 3 and a half years my skin lightened again naturally, almost but not quite back to my original colour. But then I became pregnant again and it all came back 😭. Although not quite as dark as first the time round. I just have to wait it out.

I've stopped buying/wearing foundation as I'm constantly changing colour.

Applebei · 08/08/2017 07:36

You can get 10% azelaic acid from The Ordinary for less than a tenner. 15% is best for melasma and I got some on prescription - ask your gp to see a dermo

minipie · 08/08/2017 08:39

I think so. Yes it costs a bomb. Mine is recommending it for acne scars as well as melasma, I don't know if it would be worth it for just the melasma but guess it depends on severity.

I have it on forehead and around my mouth...most annoying is the bit which looks like a faint moustache grrr

I must admit I don't wear high factor sunscreen as it makes my acne worse

chapthedoor · 08/08/2017 08:54

I have this too. It fades a bit in winter but first hint of sun and it's there so I wear factor 50 on my face in summer and it's not come out as bad this year.

Collection lasting perfection concealer covers it. I read about it on here it's really good.

FineOldCriminals · 08/08/2017 13:27

phoo I'd been trying to get mine to go for years by the time I got to DG - I used the extra strength ones, and one tubful did for what was left of mine.

Azaleaic acid is also in the Dr Sebagh deep exfoliating peel mask- the one that's bright orange. That's also brilliant in general, especially if you've got uneven skin tone.

The other thing I use regularly is Alpha H liquid gold- don't know if it would have got rid of mine on it's own, but useful to prevent a reoccurrence.

Original poster
phoolani · 08/08/2017 23:16

Machine - I've had it 12 years, since my first dc. Tbh I don't notice it in winter; it fades and I've got generally freckly skin so it just kind of blends in. But any hint of full sun and it's back with a vengeance. We spend summers on the beach and short of wearing a full face motorbike helmet, I really can't do any more to get less sun on my face!
Thanks applebei - I'll get the ordinary stuff and talk to my dermo about the 15%.
Mimipie - I've also read lots on the Internet from people saying fraxel has caused all sorts of other problems, so I really would like to avoid it, though my dermo says that's what happens when people go to beauticians for clinical treatment! I used to have the moustache, but that at least seems to have gone...was starting to look like frida kahlo, so I understand your pain.
Fine - I have alpha H and really like it. Ironically, I cut back on acid stuff generally in summer as it seems too much for my skin to cope with (and I thought it would make me more sun sensitive), may have to rethink that.

OP posts:
Original poster
phoolani · 10/08/2017 11:02

An update for fellow sufferers: after the acid-related recommendations on here, I used the only acid product I have to hand here - nip and fab glycolic fix extreme pads, and it seems to have made a noticeable improvement this morning. It seems a bit unbelievable but it certainly looks markedly better this morning.

OP posts:
FennyBridges · 10/08/2017 11:37

I have it on my cheekbones. Was wondering about a lemon and aspirin mask I saw on FB. Anyone tried lemon?

Or what about Clinique's age spot cream?

Applebei · 11/08/2017 21:58

I know - i remember the first time I used glycolic acid and I was a bit disbelieving too! I thought I was imagining things, but it does seem to fade it overnight.

Notfootball · 11/08/2017 22:43

I used to get it around my mouth a lot, like a bad 'tache. Eucerin helped a lot but as soon as I stopped using it, it returned even though I used factor 50 all year round. I then realised that the hair removing cream I was using to get rid of my 'tache was damaging my skin and leaving me susceptible to hyper pigmentation. Stopped using the cream and the hyper pigmentation faded.

MiniCooperLover · 11/08/2017 22:49

So glad you mentioned the Nip&Fab Extreme Pads Op! I was just about to come on and suggest exactly the same !!! They've done wonders for my sun damage

QOD · 14/08/2017 21:04

I have it just under my eyebrows too. Hoping to get the nip and fab pads from lloyds tomorrow.

QOD · 15/08/2017 20:17

RIght! Bought the night time extreme nip n fab glycemic pads. Face is tingling.
Here's an incredibly unflattering photo of me so I can track the progress

Half price in Lloyds btw £7.75 ish

Hyper pigmentation