Best treatment for sun spots/pigmentations?

[PineappleFwitters]

I have some on my face that I cover with makeup but am considering trying to get rid of them.

What's the best method? A peel? Laser or IPL? Could I use my Lumea on them??

Following as my chest is very sun damaged.

I have been using The Ordinary Vitamin C on my face and noticed the texture is much better. I put it on my chest last night so know knows. I think I need lasering.

I've just had mine lasered, using pulsed dye laser. They are much much better and in many cases gone completely. Derm says it's now a case of vit C and retinol. And sunscreen

Watching with interest. I'm currently trying the Boots dark spot corrector that promises amazing results (don't they all!). I've been thinking about laser.

I can't use vitamin C on my face, it reacts really badly. I use retinol and AHAs though, followed by sunscreen.

Am really tempted to try the Lumea on my sun spots!

Retinol!! Start with a low dosage a few times a week and work up to daily use if you have sensitive skin. It can cause irritation at first but eventually calms down and leaves you with very even smooth skin. I had AWFUL uneven skin. 6 months later it's looking fab! 'The ordinary' do a cheap one for £8 with fab reviews! Don't get the one with Granactive retinol though get the one in Squalane!! Honestly for about £50 (6 months worth) you can't go wrong xx

Worth looking at Dr Sam (Sam in the city) on YouTube as she talks about this and how to improve it.

With regard to the Ordinary Vitamin C, which percentage do you use?

@HeorgeEzrapants It was a Paula's Choice product that was 15%. Used it for ages without a problem but then I think they reformulated it and I had a bad reaction. I use the 1% retinol booster but again, I think it's been reformulated so I only use it every other day now as it results in a bit of peeling. I used an AHA too but I'm Lumeaing my upper lip and chin atm so have to steer clear of acids.

I've heard good things about alpha Arbutin for dark spots, has anyone tried that?

I buy prescription Retin a (Tretinoin) from abroad, usually India, put it on every other night. It got rid of my sun spots in 6 weeks. You have to use sunblock every day, and it can take a bit of getting used to . My skin looks good tho

The ordinary alpha arbutin is meant to be really good for sun spots. I'm using it for my pregnancy melisma and it send to be working.

@Spaceprincess I've heard you can get it OTC in Europe so I might try and hunt it down when I'm on holiday next month.

One of my DC used The Ordinary's Alpha Arbutin 2% HA on the red marks left by spots. They faded in 2-3 days. Amazing stuff and about £5.

@PineappleFwitters you can get tretinoin via online dermatologists dermatica I've been ordering from them for almost a year and highly recommend. You upload photos and fill in a questionnaire then they can prescribe for you. It's about £20 a tube, cheaper than flying to the continent every time you run out

The alpha arbutus didn’t touch mine, I have a led mask I’m using on the green setting to blast it, then 5 mins on red.

You must use spf 50 every single day though, I wear it if I’m staying in.

I do wear it everyday, though there's no point if you're indoors and away from windows and/or blue light!

@Mammatron I've just signed up at Dermatica. How have you found it? Did you have any issue with hydroquinone as I thought you couldn't get that in the UK?

How long before you started seeing a difference?

@Champagnecharleyismyname I debated getting the tretinoin with hydroquinone but as my hyperpigmentation was fairly mild I decided to use the tretinoin on its own first (I was mainly concerned with improving my wrinkles!). So far my skin is much improved and the hyperpigmentation barely noticeable (however it was always more noticeable when tanned and with my use of spf50 everyday and this rubbish British summer I've got zero tan at the moment!)

So no issues if the hydroquinone is on prescription in the UK? I was surprised it was so easy.

My pigmentation isn't horrendous but I've never managed to make a difference with anything over the counter. Retinol makes my skin look better but hasn't touched the pigmentation.