Hyperpigmentation making me depressed

[ChunkyCheese]

I have severe hyperpigmentation all over my face, and when I mean severe, I really mean it. It’s bad to the point people often stare at it. I’ve tried everything to cover it, but nothing works and I just end up looking like I’ve unevenly put make up on my face instead. I can’t cope with it anymore. I wear factor 50 on my face every day and apply it several times a day. It makes no difference. It’s actually got a lot worse despite wearing layers and layers of sunscreen. I have very sensitive skin too so I can’t use retinol which I’ve read works well on it. Has anyone been in this position and found anything that works to reduce it? Or a good make up to cover it? Any tips? I wish I could go out with a Harry Potter invisibility cloak on. Any advice will be gratefully received. Thanks.

I could recommend topical things like Vitamin C serum which is supposed to help, but if it's as bad as you say and bothering you that much maybe you could get an appointment to see a dermatologist - they may have alternative treatments to offer.
I know it's expensive but maybe see it as an investment, instead of shelling out for creams etc. that might not do anything.

I had it quite badly and the cause was birth control pills! I wish there was more info out there about that lovely side effect.

Mine cleared quite a bit when I applied Bio Oil in the evenings - but be warned, only do it during the coldest, non-sunny months of the year, and slap SPF 50 on during the days.

Natural yogurt applied as a face mask has a light bleaching effect too.

Look at IPL laser treatments, you need about 3 sessions and they are about £200/250 each one but really work

I had it and signed up to dermatica which got rid of it in 6 months. I've recently stopped using it so will be interested to see if it comes back...

I didn’t have any joy with Dermatica after using it for 18 months. I tried Halo Laser treatment and most of the dark spots did fade - including a very dark one on my cheek.

Unfortunately, no effect at all on the one that really annoys me. It’s on my upper lip and I’m frequently asked if I’ve been drinking cappuccino as it looks like chocolate!

I’m sure mine were caused by the Pill. I’ve never been a sun worshipper and do wear Factor 50 religiously every day.

Do you use retinols or tranexemic acid serum?
I would recommend reading about them.
They can be found reasonably priced in Superdrug or boots.

I had this too. I did a course of 5 IPL treatments alternates with 5 microdermabrasions over a 10 week period. It was amazing and made a huge difference. Unfortunately pregnancy made it flare up again though never as bad.

I’d just go straight to laser if it off if it’s causing you this much distress.

I have some off the pill on my cheek too.

Are you on the pill?

I had this until I came off the pill. Mine showed as a dark line over my upper lip, looking like moustache 😓, I hated it but had to be on the pill as I also struglled with acne.

Never had it again since stopping the pill, having kids etc.

Thanks for the replies. No, I’m not on the pill. It started during one of my pregnancies, but has just continued to get worse and worse over the years. I’ve used factor 50 every day on my face since it started, but it’s made no difference, it has just continued to get worse. I’ve seen a dermatologist but wasn’t offered any help to get rid of it, dismissed as ‘one of those things that happens to people’.

The laser treatment will fade them massively . Expensive but worth it in my opinion .

I have what has been described as "the worst case of hyperpigmentation I've ever seen" by a beautician. I look like the "before" photograph in promotional ads.

Thankfully, I don't care. I get stared at a lot but I'm used to it. I have decided to consider my face "interesting".

(I know this isn't helpful.)

I have no advice but wanted to commiserate - i used to have hyperpigmentation, odd-shaped, asymmetrical patches that people would stare at, relatives would ask about etc.

Mine started with my first pregnancy. The patches turned up overnight in the middle of the winter so it was definitely hormone-driven for me. For years after I had my last child it got steadily worse and then it just went away on its own. Nothing I did made a difference, it just happened! It hasn't come back but I have rosacea to contend with now.

I've got melasma too.
Mine started last year, I think
due to the mirena coil, but not certain.

I use hydroquinone and tretinoin from dermatica. No change as of yet!

Have you looked at the sun zapper zinc sticks? They are excellent and cover mine up quite well. They do a tinted moisturiser too.

MSM supplements helped mine I think.

When I've had bad hyperpigmentation it's been because of endocrine imbalances (initially estrogen dominance, latterly Addison's disease). Addressing underlying causes is really important.

That said, what topicals and supplements are you using OP?

IPL/laser plus prescription from Dermatica or Skin & Me

Azeliac acid has helped me. I got a subscription to skin and me who will be prescribe the best dose for you. They can make the dose higher than high street bought serums but Inkey list have a 10% dose. The highest skin and me can go is around 13%. I think Retinol works well to but my skin has never been able to adjust to it unfortunately.
I can’t remember where I read it (possibly Caroline Hirons blog) but making sure your skin is well hydrated is also key. I use Hado Labo hydrating milky lotion from Amazon.

Be careful with any lasers OP. It made mine worse.

I saw a private derm and used the Obagi Nu Derm range of products. Expensive but it worked and best my skin has ever been!
Unfortunately it came back a bit with my next pregnancy. I've brought just the tretinoin and hydroquinone cheaper elsewhere since but not so effective as Obagi. These are the only products likely to work.

I wear Estee Lauder camouflage make up (the blue bottle) which covers it really well and makes me feel more confident so I really recommend that. About £33 but lasts ages and worth it.
I sympathise OP. It is really hard to treat .

I would chop and change my routine all the time but being consistent is the best thing and giving products time to work