Hyperpigmentation?

[CakeRage]

I’ve always been a freckly person but in the last year or two have developed dark patches on my face which I’ve been treating as hyperpigmentation, but nothing I do helps and they’re getting worse all the time. The biggest one now covers my entire chin, with other huge patches on my cheeks and forehead.

I’ve been wearing spf 50 all year round for a few years now, before they appeared, and have also tried retinol and vit c with no effect. I’m on a low income so can’t afford a lot of the fancier treatments I see recommended.

Is this typical hyperpigmentation or is it something I should get checked out, and can anyone recommend another way to fade or cover them which is budget-friendly?

For reference, the picture is of my face on a typical day, after using peach coloured concealer and medium coverage foundation (but not taken straight after application). Would love some pointers if you have any!

Please see a dr

The only thing which will get rid of pigmentation is Hydroquinone, which you need a prescription for in the UK. You can't use it for more then about 10 weeks continuously.

I had several very small patches on both cheeks which disappeared in 2 weeks. You have to make sure you use spf. which you are doing already.

Thanks @primoseyellow - is this something a GP can prescribe?

@CakeRage . I don't know, but I think you can get it online from a private dermatologist. Or a company like dermatica, you take a photo and then they send it to you. I get retinol through them.

reviews @CakeRage

I've been using Dermatica for hyperpigmentation/melasma for a month and have seen a huge reduction of my darker patches. It's been a game changer!

I felt like I'd tried everything, including wearing spf, etc., but nothing was really working. If you'd like to try it then you can use my referral code: KR04VL

It would be nice to pay it forward as I tried it after finding a code on here and I'm glad I did!

Skin and Me do it online too. Tretinoin and azeleic acid and hydroquinone.

Thanks @primoseyellow and also thanks for the code@Leafytrees ! It’s a bit spendy for my budget but the discount has really helped with that. Hopefully it’ll be worth it.

@CakeRage I wouldn't have tried it without the discount but it's worked so well for me that I'll happily carry on with it. I don't think I'll need it for more than a couple of months either. I really hope it works for you. It's helped me feel more confident as I was struggling to cover my patches with make up. Now I'm hardly wearing any, which has been a godsend in the heatwave.

This is melasma. I have it and it's a chronic condition that rarely goes away. GP won't help you need to pay privately for a prescription through dermatica uk or skin and me. Unfortunately didn't work for me so I had to pay to see a private dermatologist. You need a combination of tretinoin and hydroquinone/ keep up with the tretinoin if melasma clears as it's great for skin overall and will help it retuning. Be vigilant with spf every day factor 50 and reapply in the sun.

Some great melasma Facebook pages

Yep. Melasma. I have it too and second the Facebook pages. Always factor 50 and dermatica works temporarily, but you can only use hydroquinine for a max 6 months then you need a break x

I have it too. Not too bad in the winter but intense in summer no matter how much SPF I use. I'm trying to just ignore/embrace it but it isn't easy