Melasma treatment

[Enigma54]

Has anyone treated melasma successfully, using hydroquinone, Azeliac acid, or something else?

I have loads of pigmentation on my forehead, cheeks, upper lip and bridge of nose and it looks awful.

I’m also on permanent chemotherapy, so mindful of what I put on my face.

Many thanks.

I've tried azaelic acid from the ordinary

A pigment cream from ? That you just put on the dark spots that was supposed to lift them off, this made like a scab thing but didn't get rid of them.

Tried kojic and Mandelic acid, niacinimide, liquorice root

Vit C - the only one that made a difference was Trinny London - the strong 30% version but it is about £60. I've been trialling other ones but im just going to have to repurchase it as none of the others have been as good.

I use 0.5% tret.

And I still have the bloody Pigmentation patches

I had a light chemical peel a few weeks ago and it made a bit of a difference so I am planning a deep chemical peel v soon.

I have AI diseases so am on 3 different, milder chemotherapy drugs and biologics.

Though I do think its either the drugs or the disease which has made the hyperpigmentation worse. I have always been freckled but now they are joined up into big patches that only cover with very heavy makeup which I dont want to wear

Dermatica’s hydroquinone worked for me but you can’t take it long-term. Every time I have a break it comes back.

Thanks both
Not sure what to use or where to start? My face looks “ dirty “ if that makes sense? Just can’t afford to spend £££ if the product doesn’t work.

Topicals rarely work. I’d be tempted to look into laser treatment for a more permanent solution

I saw a dermatologist who prescribed pigmanorm, which worked but was brutal on my skin. I also use azalaic acid, from the dr - finacea gel.
the dermatologist also recommended I use the eucarin anti pigment range, and said it was excellent for Melasma, and prevention of further damage.
i now use the serum, moisturiser and spf 50.

I have melasma caused by chemo and HRT (and not wearing SPF - obviously the first absolute essential is that you now wear SPF50 every day).

I tried vitamin c and retinal for a few months, they didn't help the pigmentation and ruined my skin. I also tried Caudalie vinoperfect, I liked it but again it didn't seem to do anything.

i had a long conversation with ChatGPT about what's most effective, taking into account my history etc, and it said dermatologists would recommend using both azelaic acid and tranexamic acid (one am, one pm). It told me that cheap products are just as good as expensive ones and gave me a big list of ones to choose from. I ignored it and bought two serums from Allies of Skin which are very expensive. I only just started a couple of weeks ago so it's too soon to say if they're going to work.

I've had my own MN thread on this and read others (there have been lots, do a search) and different things seem to work for different people. On another thread I'm on someone's had excellent results with the Skin Rocks pigmentation serum (they shared photos). I'm going to try that in future if the AoS serums don't work.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5368281-best-product-for-pigmentation?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

I had a big patch on my cheek and some smaller areas on my forehead. I use skin and me prescription cream (which is tailored to me and contains 3 Actives, tret etc) and, after 6 months, it's barely noticeable. Costs around £25 per month

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the replies and link to a previous thread on melasma.

I might investigate the online dermatologists and see where I get to.

Even if I could get shot of the melasma on my upper lip and bridge of nose, it would be something. Obviously different products work for different people, which is why it’s a money pit I guess..

I have had a total clearing of melasma on face and arms - will update later (travelling) to tell you the regime

The only thing that has ever worked for me was roaccutane (isotretonin) which I was prescribed for acne.

Acne has now gone in the main but the melasma is back thanks to antibiotics!

I’m open to ANY suggestions. I swear it’s worsening by the minute..

Does tretinoin help melasma? Still not sure whether to subscribe to an online dermatology company, or try some vitamin c products first? It’s such a stubborn condition.

I'd avoid tret if you're on chemo. I tried retinol (less strong than tret), 2 years post chemo, and my skin couldn't handle it. I can't tolerate vitamin c either

I tried tret for it - it did absolutely nothing and wrecked my skin (never ending peeling - despite being assured it was a short term side effect it never stopped for me and I eventually gave up).

I use tret and still had a bit of melasma/hyperpigmentation on my face so have been using hydroquinone for the last few months. It’s worked really well and has all disappeared. Now we are coming into spring and summer though I do think it will come back a bit even though I use spf 50 daily so I plan on using hydroquinone every winter. I bought it online from ?? can’t remember but it wasn’t expensive. Around £15 I think.

Thanks again all.
I might have a look at hydroquinone as that seems to be the “ gold standard” type product for melasma. Maybe if I use it every couple of days to begin with and build up gradually?

I don’t find it irritant like tretinoin at all so you may tolerate it fine.

I found this article when googling hydroquinone, it's mentioned right at the end

https://consumer-test.co.uk/top-5-creams-for-hyperpigmentation-in-the-uk-2026-a-scientific-analysis/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=801812566927&tw_campaign=23685936602&tw_kwdid=kwd-295246660990&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23685936602&gbraid=0AAAAAqBCB4dvWnso3kBhSUsC-UEnBPH1p

Thanks, that’s a really helpful article and I will read that later on.

Has anyone tried the eucerin range for melasma?

Yes, it has worked well for me, and was recommended by the dermatologist I was referred to.

About four years ago I developed hyperpigmentation on my forehead following a sun holiday. I used the body shop’s aloe day cream as my daily moisturiser and it went away completely after 2-3months.

Since then I’ve used eucurin spf50 hyperpigmentation sunscreen and I’ve not had a recurrence during the last two summers. So as a brand I would recommend.

Thanks. I’ve bought the eucerin anti pigmentation, so will give that a whirl. My melasma is quite bad, but I want to try non bleaching products first, before I hit it with the hard stuff. Also started using spf50, day and night.

I got rid of mine by using hydroquinone from Dermatica. Now I maintain the results by using Eucerin Serum and SPF50, both with Thiamidol in them and it's staying away. I think the issue is that you can't just use a cream for a few months then stop when it goes away. It's a permanent regime. I also use Tretinoin but my skin breaks out with Vitamin C so I avoid that.