Pigmentation on face

[Italianmeringuebuttercream]

Hello I have noticed that last year on holiday I started to get dark patches on my face (cheeks, nose and forehead) I have an olive complexion and tan easily but always wear at least spf 30 on my face. It faded somewhat over the winter but since I've been enjoying the sunny weather this week its come back and is getting bigger! I have since bought ultrasun face spf 50 but i feel its too late for that now! Is there any way of erasing the marks? I've heard that the contraceptive pill can exacerbate the problem but I dont want to stop taking that as it works for me. I have rather sensitive skin too which might make things harder....
Does anyone have any ideas? Many thanks in advance

@Halfstonehomerun my pill is a tri phasic one called logynon (I think!) Used it for years. I will definitely talk to my gp about changing (when this is all over!) I remember reading something about the pill making it worse so perhaps changing is worth a try. Thank you.

Dermatica have a waiting list now (due to pandemic) for new registrations.

I've been using Clinique dark spot and something serum which seems quite effective (v freckled) but not done anything to a facial age spot.

I had 2 lots of IPL treatment and they got rid of some quite dark age spots on my cheeks and also some thread veins round my nose. I've since been using retinol as well, in the hope that this will keep them at bay. And of course a factor 50 sun screen.

How much is Obagi?

How old are you?

I have been on Yasmin (or similar) for over 20 years now, but only started to get melasma/ hyper pigmentation last year. Am 48 and was wondering if it could be linked to (peri ) menopause

Am olive skinned/easy tanned normally do did not foresee this!

Vit C in morning, sun cream when outside (and hat) and retinoid cream in evening stop it from being too bad

DH or friends do not notice though, it is just me who notices

I still tan with sun cream, do others get this? I used to only use sun cream on hold/sunny days. But now I use it every day and still go brown (and a bit patchy)

I can't remember how much the Obagi range was, i think I paid about £300/400 😳 It was worth every penny though. Not worth trying other products claiming to reduce pigmentation.

It was through a well known dermatologist and included their fee I guess and follow up. Now I've done it I would be happy to just buy the hydroquinone/tretinoin tubes (you mix them together then apply) but impossible to get without a prescription so I can't afford that again. Dermatica I was hoping, would be the solution but I don't think it's the same already mixed together as one product iyswim? Doesn't seem to be doing so much but I will persevere 🤞

The Obagi system would be ideal to use now in lockdown, nobody would see the redness or peeling!

@TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead I'm 40. Been on this pill for at least 20 years and like you my dark patches only appeared last year. Perhaps it is linked with menopause? I agree that people only notice when I point it out! Perhaps a change in pill as pp suggested is the way to go. And finding a hat!

I often have problems with this, but since using a Dermatica prescription, my skin has evened out. It took around 8 weeks to see a difference. I use tretinoin0.05 + hydroquinone 4%.

That's great @squishedgrapes! I will definately persevere with the Dermatica then, I have the same prescription as you. Maybe look into it OP, you could go on their waiting list?

Sorry to hijack this thread but I have similar issues so wanted to ask further about obagi. Is it available to people in the UK? How much does it cost and how long before improvement is seen?

@Onthetrain75 @Barkingfuckingdogs

Thanks

Yes, it's available in UK. You can buy online but the strong stuff is prescription only, so u need a derm. Find a local clinic who sells it and get an appointment. The nu derm regime cost about £300 I think, from memory. You got everything in that, from the cleanser onwards but really, it's the hydroquinone and the peeling agent and retinol that makes the difference. My skin was red and peeling for about 3 months. Serious peeling too. Not possible to wear make up at all in this time but totally worth it. Once you're out the other side, all pigmentation is gone. I'm going back on it soon for a freshen up!

www.instagram.com/p/BwID09nHUzx/?igshid=tabdlnojjtk1 I had exactly the same results.

Thanks for the info @Barkingfuckingdogs. Does the hyperpigmentation come back once you stop using it? I’ve heard anecdotes that it does but I don’t know if it’s because they were using it on melasma rather than hyperpigmentation from acne scars (or if the skin remembers where it over-produced pigment)?

Also, I’m dark skinned so heard once it’s stopped being used, skin can darken.

Have any of you tried Pigmentbio c-concentrate pigmentation corrector- Bioderma that was recommended in The Times yesterday?

I have started using the tranaxemic acid line from Hada Labo’s Japanese skincare brand (not the line made for the English market.) It’s the bomb. I am an Aussie, and while I have been a religious user of sunscreen for most of my adult life, my mum didn’t even buy it when I was a kid. This line is working on pigmentation along my jawline and on my chest that has been there for decades. *nb you do have to use it for a couple of months before you start to see it work, but it’s very gentle and non-irritating. Highly recommend.

Also sunscreen on repeat - every day.

That's interesting @justilou1 When I saw the words tranexamic acid I thought you meant the tablets. I had heard they could help, just 1 a day, I took them for about 6 weeks before I gave up as I couldn't find them in stock anywhere near me. Are you able to provide a link to what you use please?

I had such a shock when I got the mask of pregnancy pigmentation with my first child that when I read something Joan Collins said about big hats and big sunglasses to cover your face I stuck by it from then on. She says

"Skin
Firstly, keep out of the sun. I’ve worn sun protection, sunglasses and a big hat for years, which is why my SPF 15 Day Cream is called Sun Hat. Always wear moisturiser and take off your make-up at night. Try not to get too stressed because it shows in your complexion!"

This is perfect for that. This is one of the “Brightening/Whitening” products in the line. They are bloody fabulous!!! (Gentle enough time use with tretinoin also - so definitely not irritating in any way.)

Also, here is a review from James Welsh, who is a YouTube reviewer of skincare. He loves it too, and is probably better able to explain how it works.

www.yesstyle.com/en/rohto-mentholatum-hada-labo-shirojyun-premium-whitening-lotion-170ml/info.html/pid.1077871387

I also have this from pregnancy. I was reading about microneedling/ dermarolling which has lots of positive reviews for reducing hyperpigmentation.

Anyone got experience of this?

I haven't really looked into that @cressyeggy, I'm a bit scared to try any treatment like that as I tried IPL once and it made it worse 😭

@justilou1 thanks for the links, I've never heard of that range before, may I ask how long you've been using it for?

I have been using it for about three months now. I’m about a third of the way through the bottles. I use the Premium Whitening Emulsion (moist) - I pat it on like a toner. It’s watery, and I mix it with a little of the Ordinary’s L-Ascorbic Vitamin C powder for extra oomph. Then I use the Premium Whitening Lotion on top. It’s light but very hydrating. (And I’m 48 this year!) Whack sunscreen over the top and I’m good to go! I sandwich tretinoin between layers of the whitening products in the evening, then put an extra layer of Andalou Naturals DMAE firming cream (dupe for Drunk Elephant Protini Cream) on top. (Btw, all my products cover a lot of real estate, as I go all the way over neck, decolleté and boobage as well.)