Transexamic serum for melasma

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Has anyone used Tx serum to help combat melasma? I can't afford a private dermatologist or dermatica at the moment, but desperate to try and lighten the melasma at least.

It's on my upper lip, bridge of nose and cheek.

Thanks.

I use a txa toner, more for prevention and occasionally to help deal with post inflammatory pigmentation. It does that well but I think you have to be realistic in that melasma is tricky to treat even if you're an experienced dermatologist and it usually takes trying different things to see results, so txa might work for you or not at all, it's just very hard to predict. I'm assuming you're already diligent with sunscreen and hats as that's the most important, really. Melasma can also be hormonal and due to birth control so if you're on that it might be worth discussing with your GP.

The thing I'd keep in mind is that you'd want an effective concentration of txa, 2-5% but if you're trying to really reverse something you'll want to sit closer to the upper end. I only really know of Face Theory having the exaglow serum at 5%, others either don't disclose the concentration or are much lower. So if that's affordable to you (they usually have discount codes going) it's worth a try and you can always explore other OTC anti pigmentation ingredients like kojic acid, arbutin, vitamin c, licorice root extract and niacinamide if txa doesn't work for you. The Face theory serum has the latter three in as well so it's quite well rounded.

Hi @botemp
Many thanks for your helpful reply.

Yes, melasma is very tricky to treat, I am discovering. I joined a melasma FB group and they are all advocates of Dr Natalia Spierings. She sounds very good, but funds don't allow for now. They also advocate hydroquinine, tretinoin and a mild steroid as the " gold standard" for melasma treatment.

I am post menopausal and on HRT. This melasma only emerged May last year and I'd been on oestrogen for many years previously, so not sure what's triggered it.

I have looked at Face Theory and the Exaglow products. It is indeed all trial
and error I guess. There are so many different products on the market, which may or may not be work.

Following, i have this on my forehead

@wineandmaltesershappyme any idea what has caused yours?

Not a clue, appeared last April, I'm on the contraceptive pill but have been for years

@wineandmaltesershappyme yes it's all very weird. I wish mine would do one, but it's not going anywhere!

Same, i try not to let it bother me but i do wish there was something to shift it. Don't want to throw money away trying lots of different products though.

@wineandmaltesershappyme yes I don't want to chuck money at it either. If I could get shot of it on my nose and lip, I would be happy.

I've tried Txa serums (Facetheory Exaglow and Inkey List) in the past with no success. I've been using Dermatica for 6 months and it faded a fair amount in the first 3 months but the last bit is stubbornly refusing to budge. I'd say it's probably 80% faded from where I started and much, much less noticeable but I'd love it if I could get it to go completely!

I'm using Sali Hughes 'Placid' which has tranexamic acid in it. I'd recommend it, but would only use it if my skin isn't feeling sensitive (for me, it feels quite strong).

Apparently, tinted mineral spf might be good for melasma. Perhaps something like this:

Avene spf

I've had severe melasma since I had my first baby at 25, I'm 33 now and have a large patch on my forehead, it's on my upper lip and in the summer will spread to my cheeks too. 8 years on, I honestly don't even see it anymore when I look in the mirror. Without sounding like a dick, I don't think it's affected how attractive I am and when I met my partner he said it's one of the most attractive things about me! When it first appears it is hard though, I do remember it.

My advice is-

Find a decent facial spf that has factor 50 and wear it everyday, even in the winter, that'll help.

As you've written, hormones don't help so, look into regulating your hormones in the safest way for you.

Over the years I've tried every potion and chemical, seen dermatologists and things have had some success but, the main thing is to control sun exposure and hormones.