Lightening dark stripe on forehead

[Indecisivelurcher]

About 2 or 3yrs ago I developed a darker toned stripe through the centre of the forehead. It looks quite obvious to me, in real life and in photos. I thought maybe it was sun damage but I haven't got burnt. It could be something triggered by my last pregnancy perhaps. Or it could just be life / one of those things. But it bothers me. I've tried using fade out cream. Hyaluronic acid 2%. Glycolic fix serum. Salicylic acid, although I wasn't expecting that to do anything. I haven't been religious about any of them but have given them a good go. Any suggestions? Other than a fringe🤦🏻‍♀️

Photo shows I think.

Although my phone keeps trying to beautify it!

I have something like that on the side of my forehead that I first noticed this summer. Apparently it’s related to hormones so you might be right about pregnancy being the cause.
I was advised to use vitamin C so have been using a nice vit C moisturiser which is in itself a pleasure and mine has started to fade.

That's malasma. Sun can make it worse but i dont think its directly causd by sun.

Hydroquinoine and tret.

Is that a prescription only job then? For hydroquinone.

Because I can't seem to find it available online. Some websites are suggesting azelaic acid, ascorbic acid and kojic acid. Has anyone tried those?

Get tested for diabetes, it can be a cause for these marks

In confident it is melasma. Just not sure what I can practically do about it.

Do you wear sunscreen?

OP, first step is sunscreen. Every single day, year round. Azelaic acid is amazing.

I do wear sunscreen yes, good stuff too. Sun does not make a difference to its appearance.

Melasma. Can be caused by sun damage and by hormones. Pregnancy and in some cases the cotracrptive pill can cause it. In combination they are a a far worse cause. Its important yo wear high spf on your face all the time when your pregnant.
You can try laser removal but it can recurr so its important to ask a doctor who treats these type of marks not a salon as it doesn't work in all instances. Wearing an excellent SPF (50+), refteshing it ever hour or do in all weather and wearing a hat in sun will cause the mark to fade quite quickly, but wont be a magic cure. As long as its getting any sun light on it, it will stay there. (If you are taking the pill that might be contributing)

@readingismycardio what azelaic acid do you use please? Am going to give this a try.

Hi OP, I like both the ordinary azelaic 10% (budget) or Paula's choice azelaic (spend)

I think the ordinary recommend alpha arbutin for fading sun spots.

A friend developed terrible melasma in pregnancy in the form of a dark moustache. She tried loads of things and was so down about it. Someone else recommended me the Eucerin range for pigmentation so I bought her the whole set as a birthday gift. No idea if it was some or all of the products but it has significantly faded.