Melasma Remedies

I've only had melasma (forehead, cheeks, and upper lip which was the worst area) for less than a year, but I am already sick of it. the only thing I can relate its cause to was when I started using an acne ointment that a dermatologist gave me. Horrible. I started my research and first pursued IPL; did it twice and was better at first but came right back. Not willing to continue spending the money I came back to this trusty site and saw all of the recommendations. I am so happy to say that after 2 weeks I'm seeing some improvement. I'm sure it'd be even better if I actually remembered to take the supplements 3x a day instead of when I only remember. What I do: I take each of these items 3x a day: 300mg capsule of raw (whole food) vitamin C, 1000mg capsule of MSM (I looked for one without glucosamine because of my own preference), & 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract (it's 100mg per 10 drops). I used some recommendations of filling empty gelatin capsules with the extract to avoid the taste and it works great. I wish all of you the best. I'll keep you posted if I see more improvements.

Wow, this sounds amazing! Can I ask for an update to your melasma using the rosehip oil and squalane oil? Is it still working and have you done anything else since then to help with your melasma? I have melasma and really want it gone too :-(

Dear Saadia,

The Apple Cider Vinegar can be used externally and internally. Use raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar from the health food store. (Some larger grocery stores may have it also.) Mix 1/2 vinegar with 1/2 water in a jar and apply with a cottonball a couple of times a day. If it irritates your skin, dilute it with more water.

Start with 1 teaspoon of the apple cider vinegar in an 8 ounce glass of water once a day. If that agrees with you, you can increase to 2 teaspoons and then to 3 teaspoons. You can drink this twice a day even, if you like. I prefer my vinegar water to plain water after using it a lot.

Birth control pills (and probably other hormonal birth control methods) can cause this or aggravate this condition.

Please keep us posted. If this doesn't work, there are other things you can try.

~Mama to Many~

Hi, I read some useful information about melasma on your website. There is a list of things to use such as ACV, cilantro, lemon juice, etc but it does not exactly specify how to use it. Drink or put on the skin. I have melasma from about a year which is rapidly increasing from last 4 months. please help me do the right thing. Saadia

Melasma Remedy Treatment (Rosehip Seed Oil and Squalene Oil)

I've tried just about everything for pregnancy induced melasma. It was embarassing and was getting to the point that even makeup couldn't cover it. I was reserved to just use sunblock and dermablend concealer for the rest of my life, but then I happen chanced on something that worked.

I had previously tried EVERYTHING, even that nasty skin bleaching cream, but nothing worked. I started making my own beauty products and purchased a couple of oils to make a natural anti-aging cream for my eyes. However, I was lazy and just mixed the two oil 50/50 and put it around my eyes, accidentally getting some on my temples (where the worst of my melasma is)... A few hours later I looked in the mirror and was FLOORED at what I saw. The melasma was significantly lighter. I begin putting it on my entire face and in just two days it is 75% gone. I am NOT exaggerating. I didn't need concealer today and just used a light BB cream and it blended in nicely. I imagine after a few more weeks, it should be all but gone. I am going to add a few more EO's and carrier oils to a serum too and test those out. If you want it to fade, while smoothing your complexion out, use RoseHIP seed oil (not rose oil) and squalene oil (derived from olive oil). Mix the two 50/50 in a bottle and apply liberally on your skin. It is also helping with the thin and dry skin on my hands and I'm testing it on scars and stretchmarks too.

Melasma: ACV is good to balance your skin's pH & to give it a nice fresh glow but I don't know about getting rid of darkness? You should go internal by taking Pycnogenol which has like 30 years of reasearch to back up its efficacy on many conditions, including melasma. It's expenisive but worth it because it minimizes the darkness and keeps it at bay. Pycnogenol makes a great internal sun blocker but still put sunblock on your face all the time.

There is also MSM which is great for many things, everyone should be taking that. Also, B3 which can be taken orally and applied topically. Pond's cream has a B3 cream that is affordable and works better than any department store product. Easy to find online, it's in a pink container, plus it doesn't stink that bad. There is also some stinky stuff for a couple of dollars that defiantly works wonders but it stinks and you must stay out of the sun, it's called La Campana (The Bell) you can buy it online, as well.

Vitamin A or Retinol/Retin-A works wonders, too, but must be bought from a doctor's prescription and it's around $70 bucks for a little tube but you only use a pea-size. You must use sunblock and stay out of the sun, as well, like the bell cream. It may have little effect on the dark stuff but it makes your skin look so fresh and glowy, like getting a microderm or other facial treatment without the astronomical costs associated with it.

Maintaining beauty does not have to cost a fortune. Actually, the best treatments for the skin are usually the cheaper ones, like ACV. I hope this helped out.

Hello, I am really desperate! I want to get rid of my melasma because I'm getting married in 3 months. I tried ACV and all I am seeing is red blotches on top of the melasma. I am feeling very discouraged and don't know what to do. If anyone has tried ACV and got the same red blotches please let me know if this is normal. I don't know if I should continue with ACV or move on to something else. If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!

Every time I bathe in milk of magnesia I look like a ghost when I get out of the tub.... Maybe put some topically on those areas and leave it.... Wouldn't hurt might help, some people use it for deodorant ( but some get tiny bumps and have to discontinue use)and I know it is good for removing dead skin cells and the magnesium in it is good for your muscles.

My skin colour is fair but the skin outside my vagina, under arms and inner thighs is dark due to the use of hair removing creams. I am going to marry in 2 months. I am virgin and physically fit. I desperately need to lighten the skin color of these areas very fast.. ASAP. Can Isopropyl Alcohol be of any help? Please suggest fast remedies without any side effects.

Hello, for nearly 10 years I suffered melasma and in addition to my freckles, my skin was horrible looking. People have asked if I was a man. Others have asked if I had sharpie marks on my face. Some called me black sesame face. Anyway, that was the past. About 5 years ago I did the whole body detox and changed my diet, eating mainly fish, chicken, raw greens, fruits and lots of water and staying away from beef, tofu, sugar and salt.

Besides my diet, my daily oral supplements include MSM, GSE, ACV, Matcha-green tea. MSM and GSE are very bitter if not taken correctly. The trick to taking those two with the bitter taste is to have the MSM powder in a spoon, squeeze some GSE drops on top of the powder and place the whole thing in your mouth then immediately wash it down with OJ or Grapefruit juice. OJ or grapefruit juice is packed with Vitamin C and vitamin C helps absorb MSM better.

Topically, I cleanse and exfoliate my face twice a day with regular facewash and a toothbrush. I am using O--y regenerist and an old, soft bristle toothbrush. First, I wet my face with warm water to open up pores and then apply face was to the toobrush and work in circular motion on my face for a good 5 minutes and rinse, pat dry and apply vitamin E oil. I don't put alot of vitamin E oil since it is heavy and oily. I am only using 1-2 drops, rub it in my hands and apply to both my face and neck.

For daytime, I am also using physical suncreen after vitamin e oil. There are 2 types of suncreen, chemical and physical. Make sure it is physical, which contains Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium. These are the ingredients that can prevent melasma from getting darker when exposed to sun.

For nightime, I exfoliate then apply a cream for melasma and vitamin E oil. One thing I forgot to mention. I also drink 1 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil a day. This is excellent for hair and skin. I hope someone can benefit from my remedies and good luck! :)

What a great post. I am treating my upper lip melasma from the inside and outside as well. I did the IPL and that worked beautifully on my sun damage and freckles but the upper lip melasma still remains.

I think it got worse b/c I used hydroquinone 4% over the summer months b/c I thought it would undo the daily dose of sun even nthough I alwasy use sunblock... Oops not a good idea. So I will try that just over the next 3 weeks during the winter even though it isn't necessarily supposed to be a healthy option these days.

I plan to do a chemical peel as well. From the inside, I will begin GSE and MSM and zinc. I want to apply ACV and anti-fungal cream too in my daily routine somehow.

I had a fungal infection years ago and that may be a source for my melasma.. Who knows?

I learned recently that I have a cyst on my ovary and that could be creating the imblance in my hormone levels. But I am definitely not going on the pill to deal with the cyst. I think having it removed will help eliminate that imbalance, not to mention the pain.

I am also considering the progesterone cream after I get a better understanding of my ovary issue. I am curious if that will help with the copper issue and estrogen? Like I said, I am still researching and learning. I am a mess and all I care about is the ugly brown mustache on my lip... how funny! It really is that much of a kick to your self-esteem.

I will keep you posted :) Take Care

hello everyone... I'm Dr. Aufia

Thank God I saw these comments on treatment of melasma... and I really feel blessed to help u out of this stigma on face...

leave everything else aside n go to a medical shop n get 15% glycolic acid and a sunscreen with spf more than 40... N apply over the whole face daily for 2 weeks... n then come back n reply my comment...

ok bye c ya.. Ol d best

VCO is virgin coconut oil. You make vitamin D everywhere else that isn't covered by sunscreen or something else, so appyling a mineral sunscreen (not a chemical one) locally where the discoloration is taking place will protect the area without compromising D production. Zinc oxide is probably the best mineral sunscreen, and zinc oxide formulas are sold by many of the natural/organic cosmetic lines. You can also buy pure zinc oxide powder in bulk online if formulas creep you out.

Hi, my melasma is almost gone! After trying a lot of things (lotions, lemon, apple cider, etc, ) finally I found in youtube a girl that say that baking soda was good for brown spots, well, I was thinking why not try??, I make a paste with a little water and a little baking soda in my hand, put it on my spots and leave it there all night (rinse in the morning), when is dry, it will fall off, you can make it a little more liquid if you like, in just 2 days I notice a difference! I have been doing this for almost 3 weeks and is almost gone, even my husband told me he can hardly see it! I have olive skin, and my spot was really dark... Hope it works for you!

You have too much testosterone hormone in your body. That is why your not getting your period. Drink spearmint tea twice a day. It will also get rid of your acne and probably melasma.

I really want to try GFSE to treat my Melasma and other problems but the thing is, I'm taking Simvastatin and Quinapril... By using GFSE externally do you think it will help me get rid of it?

I have suffered from melasma for 5 years, it has become progressively worse from what I believe a combination of factors, some being, age, toxin overload, medical treatment for acne, huge exposure to the sun from working outdoors, birth control ( which I quit 3 years ago ). I am also a long term acne sufferer, off and on for 20 years and use of medicines internal and external to treat. The acne isn't too bad and I can deal with it. The melasma didn't worry me too much at first, it started on the forehead then last year developed on both cheeks and this year I developed my moustache which is just awful. I now avoid the sun at all costs which is difficult in the climate I live in. I am not a fan of sun-screen because of its adverse effects, but I have SPF 30 in my moisturizer used daily and always wear a hat but NEVER hang out in the sun like the old days.

I started an HQ cream 10 months ago, didn't feel it did anything so stopped and now believe my melasma has darkened. I decided I really have to do something as it is affecting my self-esteem, I had my hormones checked via blood test, hoping that would come back abnormal and give me the answer, but hormones are all in check. So I've been advised to have skin needling and chemical peels ( expensive ) and invasive procedures I've never been a fan of either. I was thinking of going ahead but now reading all these posts I'm back to where I was a while back believing this is an internal problem.

For those that are reading this, I know I haven't told you of any remedies or glimmers of hope but the above gives me the opportunity to express my problems and history with melasma and I can come back to this site with what I experiment with and learn.

I plan on using the GSE, MSN, B-12, cod liver oil, aloe vera, ACV and tumeric. Will update with how it goes.

This site gives hope and support, and know that beauty really does come from the inside.

First of all, blessings to you all for sharing your pains and solutions. If it wasn't for your generous thoughts, I would not be posting today.

My melasma began about 10 years ago. After reading the many posts on this site, most helpful was by Maria of Dallas in regards to an inside/outside approach. My melasma is 50-60% lighter today. The only diet change I made was to STOP drinking black tea (advised in reducing melasma). I switched to non-caffeniated to help get the grapefruit seed extract down.

Here's the treatment I designed for myself with YOUR help, and today has been exactly one week.

-1 ____ Multi Vitamin

-1000 mg of Vitamin C

-3x per day of 15 drops: Grapefruit Seed Extract (liquid). I use mint or chamomile tea to get this down as it's very bitter and I'm unable to take with water.

-Before shower, on a cotton pad, mix apple cider vinegar (50/50, diluted with water) with liquid grapefruit seed extract and rub on off - DO NOT scrub or you'll burn your face causing extra stress which darkens the skin. Just rub on very generously and let it dry - like a toner of sorts. Your melasma turns darker at first when you apply the apple cider vinegar, and then lightens upon drying. I leave on until I feel a slight stinging feeling, and then immediately rinse off in shower. After shower, I reapply ONLY the apple cider vinegar and let dry. Then I use Castor Mineral Oil an massage into face. Afterwards, apply your daily lotions, make-up (Bare Minerals make-up is great as it includes sunblock in all products: concealer, foundation, veil so you get multi-layer sun protection) etc as usual. I also apply extra sunblock throughout day and use a hat when outdoors.

-Before bed, wash face to remove make-up. I use cleanser. Then apply apple cider vinegar (50/50 diluted with water), again followed by Castor Mineral Oil massaged into my face.

This has been my daily routine for 7 days now, and I've seen 50% improvement.

Ingredients you will need: Grapefruit Seed Extract in liquid form, Multi-vitamin, Vitamin C, Apple Cider Vinegar, Castor Mineral Oil, cotton pads, sunblock, hat,

I really hope this is helpful to someone as you all were extremely helpful to me.

Hey sorry for the late reply, I'll try and check this weekly. Still climbing up the battle hill.

Researching MSM, a lot of people had limited success according to a thread by author Vanessa Wild, who wrote a book on msm for melasma. I am still hopeful. Msm has helped me the most because my skin is sensative so i'm staying away from acids. It has helped my melasma quite a bit and I still have more to go. I still see improvement and as long as thats the case, you never know!!!! I did email with one person who has had full success with MSM and dermal mustache. I used to use msm internally but I took a break as it is recommended for your body and still see improvements so i'll wait a little while before going back on because I was on a high dose, like 10,000 mg. I use msm topically. First, I wash my face and dry it really good. Then I just mix it with some water, put it on a tissue and lay it on top of 'mel' for a minute.

Also, i'm on a cleanse, cutting out a lot of sugar for my candida, especially processed. Candida is linked to melasma. Depending on what website you look at some people recommend cleansing and then adding some low-sugar fruit on an empty stomach to your diet so it's your call. Also, antifungals and probiotics. Also linked to melasma is high copper in the body. Hormone levels. Sun. I think it is important to rebalance your body and it helps to fight the melasma, otherwise the melasma will keep coming back.

Anyhooie. Blessings and prayers. Will check back. It's good to have some persons respond who are on the current journey/struggle. Let's help one another. Believe you me, I am praying for us.

Do you know if you will have to take MSM forever for the melasma to stay gone once it disappears? Or once it finally fades (or IF if ever fades), can you stop taking it? Just curious how long I should expect to take MSM.

Also, do you have to take a break from MSM from your body getting used to it (like take it for so long then stop then start again)? PLEASE HELP!

Hello! I'm just wondering where you get the castor oil, and what brand you use?

Hi there.. I'm so happy to have found this site. I am a 42-year-old woman who developed melasma 11 years ago shortly after giving birth to my third child. I developed it on my forehead, cheeks, upper lip and chin. I used Obagi and managed to permanently obliterate most of the the forehead and all of the upper lip, but after some time the patches on my chin and cheeks came back. Since then, I have used spent thousands on different creams. I was always fastidious about using sunscreen on my face, but could never make inroads into lightening or getting rid of the melasma.

I feel guilty in a way for being so obsessed about this; vain even. But like every woman, I want to look my best and realize that your face is what people see first.

So after studying all of these posts I purchased the following: Grapefruit Seed Extract (2 a day; 15 drops), Acidophilus (1 at lunch), Zinc (1 at lunch), Milk Thistle (2 before bed). I also use Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner (diluted) in the morning and before bed.

After two weeks, I am heartened at the changes I am seeing. My children confirm that not only is the melasma noticeably lighter but that it is breaking up on my cheeks and chin. You can actually see my normal skin colour coming through. The remaining spots on my forehead are stubborn but I will see this through.

Cheers!

Hello, I also have melasma and have tried many different treatments over the years, including the msm and gse combination. I did not have much luck with it but I still encourage you to try it because many others have. My melasma is related to hormonal imbalances as well, I started to enter menopause at the age of 38. I just turned 47 and the problem has lessened over the last few years but is not completely eliminated. I also use tretinon and find that it is better for wrinkle prevention than melasma - not a bad perk :o) I would like to suggest lactic acid peels. I have been doing a 55% peel at home once a week for the last 2 months and have seen improvement. Its very mild it will not make your skin peel and is safe for home use. Another good option is mandelic acid, also great for hyperpigmentation, and very safe. I sometimes alternate them. Another factor is consider is cleaning up your diet by removing sugars and just do your best to eat "clean", no junk. You have a great attitude, which is half the battle, I wish you the best of luck!

Hi everyone, I am so happy to find a current thread on this forum! I've been researching this for so long, but mostly have only found older posts. I have Dermal upper lip melasma, it's horrible!! No matter what I do, it looks like I have a mustache. Nothing covers it, in fact it looks worse with cover up! I always feel the need to bring it up in conversation so that people don't think I forgot to wax!

I also have it on the entire center of my forehead which goes down in between my eyebrows. That's where it started about 6 1/2 yrs ago, my youngest were 8 yrs old, so not pregnancy and haven't been on pill since before they were conceived, I was 38, so not postmenopausal. It began as a small diamond shape between brows and then grew! I used to think that was unattractive, but once it appeared on my upper lip, I realized how much worse it was to have it there! I've read that it is a different hyperpigmentation above the lip, apparently the skin is different, anyway it's the hardest to treat, of course, the most embarassing place to have it is the hardest to get rid of.

The only thing I've read about that works sometimes is MSM. I tried triluma a few years ago, but it did nothing, also recently a new dermatologist put me on tretinoin & a 4% hydriquinone, but I stopped using it as summer began, I was told by a makeup artist that it's not a good idea to use the bleaching during the more intense sun. In addition, the hydriquinone is known to be unsafe as well as many online have said that it makes the patches darker, as well as laser. So, I'm not sure that I will continue with it even after summer.

I'm also afraid of the tretinoin as the dermatologist said that skin is more sensitive to the sun while using it, it's crazy so many of the treatments make even "regular skin" more sun sensitive, so why would we want to put our melasma that's already sensitive to the sun, at risk for becoming even darker!!

I figured I'd save up for laser, but after everything I've read, it doesn't sound worth the money I don't have, it either doesn't have an effect or makes it worse. I believe that it is definitely a (hormonal) internal problem, so it should be treated internally. Most seem to have luck with the MSM, so I think I will try that, I'm just trying figure the right combo of supplements, the most popular seem to take it with gse, but many use other supplements with it as well. It's all so overwhelming. I would really love all suggestions and any information that any of you have to offer.

Overall, I know that I'm very fortunate that this is only cosmetic, in fact I feel shallow thinking about it too much, when there are so many others that have problems much worse than this. I try to keep things in perspective, thinking of others and remembering how lucky I am, really does give you a better attitude about dealing with melasma. Luckily, I have great friends, that helps too, and a wonderful family that I am so grateful for, they also keep me busy not giving me too much time to worry:)

I'm so happy to finally have people to talk to about this! Looking forward to hearing from all of you!! Khava

Dermal melasma is deep melasma underneath the skin and is blue/grey. Epidermal melasma is in the skin and brown in colour. How you treat dermal melasma is different from epidermal. Looking for anyone who has dermal or a mix of both melasma so that we can come together and fight this thing. Really, this is crazy. I have a dermal mustache and it's grey/blue. A lot of fun, can I tell you. If you have any leads on how to treat this please post. Luv

Hi m new on this site. I have melasma also- could u pls tell me how did u make it and apply or how long?

Hello... I used Grape Fruit Seed Extract in pill and liquid form to rid me of melasma. I am now melasma free and no longer need all my GFSE pills. I have bottles of them and will give them to any genuine melasma sufferers in NZ or Australia if they are happy to pay the postage (if it is NZ it should only be about $10 maximum for all the pills - anywhere in the country I have about 10 bottles of pills). They worked for me and I don't mind sharing. I know how horrible this condition in. If you want them please reply to this thread with your email address and I will contact you. I think the bottles are bout $40 NZ each to buy.

Hi there, Well I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in 1:1 ratio of water and Apple Cider Vinegar for a week. I also use flaxseed oil on my skin once in a day, my melasma on side of my cheeks has become lighter in colour but there is no peeling off the skin. I have read so much benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar on treating melasma and many people claiming complete removal of those dark patches.

Well my melasma is just a year old and its not very dark also but I dont see it going away. I will be continuing this mixture and lets hope for the best... Can anyone help me.... can I use Apple Cider Vinegar mixture during daytime? and what else can I do to treat my melasma asap.

Hi ES, I am so happy to hear about your success. I have suffered from Melasma for two years now. It initally appeared on my upper lip and I went to the dermatolgist to see if it was from hair removal. They told me it was from a skin condition called Melasma. At the time, I had never heard or noticed anyone with it. They suggested I have a laser treatment at the end of the summer and I did. I had two. They faded temporarily but came back much darker as soon as I stepped in the sun even with sunscreen. I noticed last year that the Melasma was spreading. By the end of the summer, I had little splotches on my chin, cheeks, and forward. It didn't worsen in the winter but has gotten much worse this summer even though I am avoiding the sun like the plague. I have two young children that love to swim and play at the lake. I feel like this horrible skin condition is taking my joy. I am constantly looking in the mirror. I used to have beautiful skin.

I found this site about a week ago and started on the supplements. I have added a few vitamins each time I read. For about three days I am doing the following. Daily Vitamin, MSM, Vitamin C, Cod Liver Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Grapeseed Extract, MACA, and using ACV topically. I am praying that this will going away. If it does I am going to tell everyone I see so that I may help others. It's so good to hear success stories; it gives me a glimmer of hope. Can anyone tell me how long it should be before all this starts working?

Hi Sarah, Thank you for your post! It has been a little over a year now since u've last posted, has Kefir helped reduce your melasma any further? Please update us on your progress, good or bad I'm sure we'll find it helpful! I started drinking Kefir about a month ago and have grown to love it bc of all the benefits it offers. Unfortunately, a week ago my grains got contaminated and died. :(. I've ordered new grains and can't wait for them to come! I drank Kefir for 3 weeks straight and tho I did not yet see any major improvements on my melasma, overall I felt that my skin was nicer. Not sure if it's my imagination, but it does look like my melasma has gotten darker again from this past week w/o the Kefir! Btw, I was using it as a mask every night for 4 days before the grains were contaminated. I loved it as a mask!!!! Tightens and moisturizes the skin! Again, please updat us w your progress when u have the time. We'd love to hear from you!

ES, I am so happy for you!!!! Successfully getting rid of melasma stories are so far and few, I'm glad it worked out in your case. Hopefully, we all will just be as lucky! Thank you for giving us your update, this gives the rest of us still suffering some hope. Please post back periodically, esp when its finally all gone!

Hi, I used to have beautiful olive skin, until I moved to Hawaii and started to breakout with acne. I went to a dermatologist who prescribed an acne medication that could produce sunspots as a side effect. I didn't think much about it until I developed two tiny sunspots on my cheeks. I tried everything to get rid of them, goji berry extract, retionol products, expensive photofacials. Nothing worked omly seemed to make them worse. Over the next two years theygradually grew to about the size of a quarter but not very dark and could be covered with makeup. My father in law mentioned oregano oil. So I decided to use it. I put it on my entire face, it burned really bad but I was determined to get the two sunspots off. This was one of the worst decisions I have ever made in my life. About three days afterwards I developed a horrible case of Melasma. I have huge dark brown spots on my upper lip, cheeks, forehead and nose. It has made me look 10-15 years older and my confidence has effected my social life. I went to the doc and she said that the heat from the oregano oil onsetted Melasma and there is no cure for it. The best thing to do for it is sunscreen, hats everyday and stay out of the sun. DO NOT USE OREGANO OIL it has ruined my face.

OK, it is a long time since my first post. That awful melasma is gone completely from my upper lip (thank God) and the spot on my nose between my brow is gone, the marks over my brows are gone. I had a big splotch in the middle of my forehead, from the brow all the way up to the middle of my forehead. It is shrunk down to just a small spot, light, a few millimeters. Do you know what? IT JUST WENT AWAY. I stopped taking MSM and doing anything with cilantro over a year ago. Nothing was working. The only thing I can think is that I have been taking TURMERIC the spice every day, about a half teaspoon or a quarter of a teaspoon, and I do eat plain yogurt with fresh ground flax seed (one to two ounces of the seed, ground fresh) every morning. I DID quit smoking and drinking alcohol almost 2 years ago.

But seriously, I think what happened was, I stopped caring. I stopped obsessing over it. I started loving myself more. I believed my body could just heal itself and that paying attention to it was only making it worse. Anyway, it was there for, oh, maybe 5 years? I tried everything, almost. Seriously I write this to give hope to other people that it can really just go away. I realized it was going away a few months ago, but wasn't sure what would happen when warmer weather came. But I know now. I have been in the sun plenty of times without sunscreen. Also with sunscreen. I mean like daily hour long hikes on sunny days. I don't fear it anymore. It's just gone. I assume the last little spot on my forehead, maybe half an inch by half an inch will be gone soon enough - it's way shrunken down from what it was before - it's literally vanishing. Anyway, it just started going away by itself as far as I can tell. My body is just healing itself. Please don't obsess over it, tell yourself daily you love yourself anyway, ignore it. I am pretty healthy, I eat well, but I'm no fanatic. I think the more we worry the worse it gets. I think when we let go, and believe it can heal but don't mind anymore... it will just go away.

Good luck! ES

A commercial cosmetic product helped erase maybe 50-60% of my melasma. The rest wasn't responding to the commercial product, so I tried MSM, which helped somewhat, but the rest wouldn't go away. GSE didn't seem to work much. Hydrogen Peroxide was starting to help, but then I read it is an oxidant, so forget the H2O2!

I have finally found something that works: A one part to one part solution of onion juice and ACV. I found the recipe on the internet: just put some onion in the blender (I used a garlic press) to get some juice going. Add an equal amount of ACV to the onion juice.

Every evening, I've been pouring about 1 - 2 teaspoons into a little dish and applied it to affected areas with a cotton swab repeatedly until the juice is used up. This takes 10 - 20 minutes. After several days, I used the vinegary onion pulp as a facial mask - left it on for about 20 minutes.

It's been maybe 4 weeks and most stubborn brown spots have faded really nicely. The onion juice apparently helps lift the darkened areas off - and it has vitamin C in it - which seems like an overall healthy thing to be putting on your skin. I bought my second onion a couple of days ago and am looking forward to even an even clearer complexion!