Melasma Remedies

I've tried all the cures and then some. My melasma is on both sides of my neck and was horrible looking! I found some glycolic acid online and ordered that and it worked beautifully on my face but not on my neck. So I found some TCA acid online and ordered that and IT WORKED! One side of my neck is completely clear and the other side may need 1-2 more applications. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! CHOOSE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU! BE CAREFUL AND FOLLOW ALL THE DIRECTIONS! Also, amazon. com has some really good info on these peels as well...

Thank you very much for all the posts on this site..

I have melasma since 3 months ago, 3 WEEKS ago I across this site and started using Apple Cider Vinegar and taking antioxidant and MSM, and using cream called ''skin success fade cream''.. I see the difference now, it's faded. I'll post it again soon when they gone completely. Thanks a lot.

Hi I have suffered from melasma now for 6 years and also live in Australia, I've just started taking selenium as well but dont think I have a thyroid problem. I had perfectly toned skin until we went on a European holiday in 2006 and I started getting brown blotches all over my face, I later learnt that the mynocycline I was taking for acne could have been the culprit but I was also on another medication for anxiety, that I found out 7 months ago can also cause hyperpigmentation, but I stopped that 7 months ago and instead of fading my melasma is spreading :( not fun , I'm now at a loss. Never been on BC pills , had my hormones checked recently and everything was normal. I've tried everything you can think of, spent thousands of dollars, it would be great to keep in touch since we both live in Australia, I feel like the only person on this planet with this disfiguring mask:(

Wow! I must say, I've tried and tried everything to get rid of my melasma. ($$$) I'm so excited to go home and try ACV. And vitamins to fix me from the inside out. It starts out small then spreads no matter what you do. I feel positive that this may work. Will take pictures and will repost. PROMISE!!!

Just found out I have been suffering from a Hyperthyroid... Hmmmmm. I pieced together my Melasma time line with the other symptoms of a Hyperthyroid, zeroing in on a known cause of melasma - increased hormones known to cause and acelerate the condition - it matches the onset of my other Hyperthyroid symptoms. Ladies and gentlemen, just a consideration - this may also be you. Make sure you have a thorough check-up including blood work... melasma that does not go away may very well be associated to a hormone condition caused by a malfunctioning thyroid.

Hi, I find the taste too bitter too, it is easily solved by adding the GSE to a little orangejuice!

I have been trying the suggested treatment of an equal mix of lemon juice and cider vinegar every night and morning and I want to say thank you very much for posting that cure! I have had melasma for a long time now, and living in NZ it is almost impossible to avoid UV rays as we have such extreme levels. After 2 weeks, I looked in the mirror and I can hardly believe the difference. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I suffered from dark upper lip for ages before finding a remedy. I am 24 now and when I finally decided enough was enough, I had to get rid of this 5 o clock shadow which showed despite concealors, I approached the problem in 2 ways: (a) get rid of hair for good so you are not irritating or damaging the skin (as that could have been the cause of my dark shadow ). (b) Sunblock application. First, I checked with a dermotologist and found out that I didnt have hirutism and needed no hormonal remedies for upper lip darkness. Which also meant that there was no cause within body responsible for this, and the problem may be superficial over the skin only. I decided to get laser therapy ( costing $100 / session, costs may vary) to get rid of hair and between the sessions I tried to avoid hair removal unless extremely necessary in which case I threaded.

Secondly, I took up sunblock religiously. I apply avene emulsion 50 15/30 before sun exposure without fail. If I have to go out again and its been arond 2 hours, I reapply. If I can avoid the sun, I do.

Its been 3 laser sessions ( I might need 2 more ) and 4 months of sunblock use, and voila I have seen amazing results. The progress may be slow to completely rid of darkness but you will notice changes in skin color immediately after 2 weeks with sunblock application alone. Keep at it and you will be soon as happy as I am. :)

7 days ago, after reading some of the testimonies on this site I bought a bottle of _____'s unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar and started applying it twice a day in a 50/50 solution---half ACV, half tap water---to two stripey melasma marks on my cheeks. Those streaks (which were fairly large and looked like dirt) had been there a year and I was really starting to think they'd remain for the rest of my life, but they're practically gone aready! I'd also started taking Carlson's Cod Liver Oil, Alpha Lipoic Acid and NAC the same day, not to mention the cilantro/chlorella combination someone talked about, so it's hard to say which had the greatest effect really, but I'm assuming it was the apple cider vinegar. (My skin is already about twice as soft and smooth as it was a week ago too, and I've gotten several compliments on how healthy I apparently look... this was probably a combination of all the supplements taken).

Thank you so much for this site, I'll definitely be back regularly in the future!

Tina,

I have had melasma all over my face for about 5 years. I have tried all of the expensive topical treatments and peels with only temporary success. I discovered this website back in May and have since tried many of the remedies recommended here. I have also started seeing a Naturopathic Doctor, which has been very helpful (although quite pricey$$). She discovered I have a hormone inbalance and she thinks this is the reason I have the melasma (as well as some pretty bad PMS symptoms). I am taking vitex along with other supplements to correct my hormone inbalance (I am estrogen dominant). I am also taking Vitamin C, MSM, a multi-vitamin, Pycnogenol, Zinc, Copper, Probiotics, Fish Oil, and using ACV topically. I have tried the GSE, horseradish, hydrogen peroxide masks and Kefir, but that didn't do anything for me.

For me the fish oil and probiotics have been key to helping my skin. My melasma has lightened quite a bit, but I think this is also due to shifting my diet. I did a 2 week liver detox and have tried to stay away from sugar, wheat, dairy, red meats, alcohol and caffeine since then. I know that sounds like a lot and no fun, but it has made me feel a whole lot better and I think my skin is getting better. I have been eating mostly veggies, beans, fruits, grains and beans. I am not completely strict on this, and I still like to go out and have pizza and beer on the weekends, but I do notice that my brown spots look darker the next day when I do.

Another thing I have done is to shift my beuty products to all natural ones -ACV, coconut oil and natural makeups and SPF (look up EWG.org to find out if your products have irritating chemicals in them). I recently heard about topical niacinamide (vitamin B3), which is supposed to act much in the same way as Retin A by curing acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, but it is completely natural and is very inexpensive. Just google the natural spray form. I am definitely going to give it a try and I will report on my progress. Good luck to everyone else -this is a difficult battle! (I do have to put things in perspective sometimes and think -things could be a lot worse ;)

Hi - I just wanted to share with you my 'cure' for melasma. My partner and I recently moved to Tenerife. I have very bad melasma on my upper lip and upper right arm. Since we moved here I have discovered the aloe vera leaf. I have been applying the gel from the leaf morning and night for the past week. The melasma on my upper lip has gone completely and the melasma on my upper arm has started to fade gradually and looks a 100% better than it did a week ago. I used to hide my arms but now I'm wearing short sleeved tops which I never, ever thought I'd wear again. You need the actual aloe vera leaf. Cut a slice off the leaf and slice it open to reveal the gel inside. Rub this on your melasma morning and night and it's really like a miracle the melasma fades gradually. I don't think aloe vera gel in a bottle will work alone as it's not pure aloe vera gel. The plant grows abundantly here on Tenerife but I'm told you can buy it in health food markets or online.. Good luck to you all.

I tried a modified form of this since I have a problem with taking vitamins (it has something to do with the coating that they use).

I have Melasma and rosacea (terrbile combination). I was taking Triluma for 3 years and it was starting to become less effective. Then, they stopped making Triluma and I was desperate.

I only take the following:

500mg Vitamin C x 1 per day

1000mg MSM x 1 per day

150mg Grape Seed Extract x 1 per day

wipe my face down 1x a day with hydrogen peroxide

My skin improved about 70%. I had a real problem on my upper lip with the melasma. It is still just faintly dark, but not to the point of embarassing. My girlfriend had to work out of town for two months and we hadn't seen each other during that time and I started using this combination. After she saw me after those two months, she thought my skin looked great. It looks very reguvinated.

It probably would work better if I took more vitamins, but I am happy that I am saving $750 a year on prescription medicine and having to go to doctors. Also, who knows what that medication was doing to my body.

I still make sure I always wear a hat outdoors and wear sunblock.

Thank you so much.

Tina, Please be patient with this. I suffered melasma for the first time when going thru some marital issues.... Age 39 at the time... It does get better... It's a constant battle, but I have seen pics of a couple of years ago, and now, and have marked improvements. I have also tried everything topical.. But it comes back... Obagi, chemicals peels, TriLuma, 8% bleaching, etc... I am so ready to try the grapfruit seed extract to see if it works. I used 100 percent sunblock and still have some patches which intensify... I usually have some light orange/red patches now but they used to be so dark and ashy looking.

Please continue to work with this... Do not give up. I used 2-3 coats of foundation and people can't even tell. I am a beautiful woman 42 yrs old, and melasma in my opinion is what is bothering me the most... But I have to put things into perspective. I am taking ACV internally and will start with the Aloe and all the other antioxidants recommended in these blogs.

Carla, before the summer last year I read about coconut oil and how good it is in the sun. As soon as it started getting hot I started rubbing it on my skin and I never burnt at all, the same this year! I stay in the sun the same amount of time, which is quite a bit as I am a Southern European, therefore I don't have very sensitive skin and I need more time to make a good amount of Vitamin D but before, at the beginning of the season I did burn a bit, not anymore! But the idea of the Cod Liver Oil is good as well.

My husband who is Welsh, fair skin, burns easily and even has a basel cell carcinoma on the top of one ear but he is now taking Cod Liver Oil although he hates taking anything at all. I will tell him that it can help with sun burns as well, he will be happy about that!

Hello, and thank you very much for your concern. I definately only use natural sunscreen!! When I learned that sunscreen had adverse effects I started taking cod liver oil everyday as a natural sunscreen, and it is absolutely amazing! (it takes about 3-6 months) and I dont burn at all, but if im going to be out in the sun more than usual I put on a bit of natural sunscreen to be safe.

I like this site. Now I know about copper toxicity syndrome after visiting this site. I have achieved lots of knowledge from this site. I have big brown spots on my cheeks and forehead, I think that is melasma. And I am suffering with acne roseacea. Now I will try some melasma treatments and I will tell if those work.

I've battled dark skin spots (hyperpigmentation) for nearly 11 years; I've tried everything out there and found that Tri-Luma is very affective. My discoloration is aggressive and Tri-Luma has worked when my skin has been at its worst. Tri-Luma is a topical skin cream; should be applied in the morning about ten minutes before applying make up and again at night for best and fastest results. Tri-Luma is by prescription only and is very expensive; my dermatologist offers it to his patients at a nicely reduced price but some warehouse clubs like Costco also offer it between $175-$190 a tube. Don't need much, a tube lasts about 2-3 months.

Hello dear

All people and body are not the same. Some tend to have hyper pigmentation and some people are never sensitive to environmental parameters. I actually mean if a you are primary sensitive to have melasma , it goes worse if you eat walnut. In spite of that walnut is one of best nuts. Or you have another alternative choice and that is not to exposure sunlight while you are eating walnuts and intake copper content drug.

But for sensitive person, better to eat other nut specially hulled hemp seeds (most nutrition nut in the world), pumpkin seed (good source of zinc) and sesame.

In fact I mean, you should eat nuts and it is mandatory. Just see the nature and how birds are colorful and energetic with nuts. Unfortunately in new age we are getting far from nature, more and more.

I hope this is good answer for your question, if there is any more don't hesitate to ask.

Would you please tell me what is VCO? What sunscreen would you recommend? I currently use La Roche Posay, but that has chemicals too!

Anna Farahmand from Tehran, am I correct when I intepret your post on remedies for melasma that you say walnuts can cause hyperpigmentation? So are you saying not to use walnuts if you have melasma? Thanks for your interesting post, and I am looking forward to more clarification.

I am happy to announce that after more than five years of suffering with melasma I am watching it quickly fade away. I came across this site, and tried ACV that same night. It burned a bit because I didn't realize I needed to mix half water and half apple cider vinegar. The next night I made the correct mixture. I have been putting it on my face every night before I go to sleep for six nights now.

My melasma is fading fast. I make sure to put sunscreen on every morning before going outside so I do not lose any of my progress. I am also planning on buying vitamins to fix it from the inside out. I will report back if it completely disappears. I want to add that I truly hope anyone who suffers with melasma tries apple cider vinegar and water. The Apple Cider Vinegar costs less than three dollars at your local grocery store, and is well worth it. Compared to the prescription creams and doctors visits it pales in comparison. Also, if it doesn't work on your melasma it can be used for other cures or you can eat it with salads etc. So it would not be a waste of money. :) Good luck to all.

Hi Marea, I don't know if you are still active on this forum, I am too suffering from melasma since five years. Its not due to BC but my TSH level is elevated, progesterone level is low and I have been diagnosed with fibriods. My dermatologist says these conditions have nothing to do with melasma and put me on chemical peels and hydroquinone. It helped me in the begining but melasma reappared again. Now I have it on my upper lip and both cheeks. Reading posts I tried GSE in tab form MSM, vit C, Zn, aloe vera juice and acidophilus but nothing seems to be working for me. Its two months now and I feel very disappointed. Only people here on this forum could understand how much humiliation I have gone through because of melasma. Sometimes I feel like commiting suicide. Reading this forum I don't want to lose hope but nothing new seems to be coming my way. Please help me...

I am a 41 year old female with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation on my forehead, cheeks and chin as a result of Fraxel laser treatment. As you might imagine I am heartbroken to find that a treatment option I paid over $5K for which was intended to improve my skin textire and tone has resulted instead in this brown spotty nightmare! Its been 3 years since I've had the fraxel and like many of you I've tried everything from hydroquinone, to kojic acid to peels - nothing's worked. Your posts have given me great hope that there is a cure in nature and that eventually we will find what works for each of us. With that goal in mind I have just started the following regimen and though I'd share:

- Pycnoginol - 3 times daily

- MSM - 3 times daily

- Ultimate Flora Probiotics - 3 times daily

- Pomegranate Extract - 2 times daily

- Vitamin C, Vitamin E with Selenium, Beta Carotene, Zinc, Magnesium and Omega 3-6-9 once daily

In addition I am using apple cider vinegar twice daily as a toner and a papaya enzyme exfoliating mask once a week. I have just started this regimen 3 days ago and am happy to report that already my husband and I notice a difference - my dark spots are lighter and appear to be breaking up! I am so excited I just had to share!! I will keep you updated on my results as I go along. Thank you all for your wonderful insight and encouragement and good luck!

Hi all

I am Anna Farahmand (researcher you can find me on the web) and you answer how to stop melasma in brief:

1- Fresh lemon juice dry fast, so best cheap composite to brightening skin is a mixture of fresh lemon juice with equal amount of glycerol. Also you can eat lemon juice as syrup as well as vinegar to intake enough vitamin C.

2-copper can make pigmentation. So it is good remedy to get rid of gray hair. Nutrition copper bomb is walnut. It can reverse aging if you take 6% of your calorie intake from this nut and make your hair better but also make hyper pigmentation.

3-spinach and onion are best to clear your skin from inside. Onion has enough MSM. Although you can take small amount of MSM medically.

4-nuts have much all minerals you need which are critical for your skincare.

5-if you notice, melasma is mostly visible on your face and your paw, it is because of sun. That's why Muslim women who wear scarf have a better skin, in the other hand they don't go out much time. But if you have pigmentation on all of part of your body without going exposure to sun, you can't heal it. Small size of melasma can be disappeared with laser therapy in many cases

hi! Thanks for the ideas. Are you really sure that vinegar works? wouldn't it work as acid on my skin? I'm using a skin lightening cream right now to get rid of hyperpigmentation. I think it's gentler on the skin than vinegar. How did it go on you?

Hi just following up on oregano therapy could you let me know if your melasma has disappeared with the carotene and oil treatments.

thank you Fernanda

Hi Suzy, after reading your post I have realized that my melasma may also be connected to a fungus. I have had melasma for several years now and for the last 2-3 years have also had a reoccuring foor fungus! I have tried creams perscribed by my doctor for the foot fungus but nothing is working and if it does work it comes back.

I am going to ask my doctor about the medications you were taking but I am worried he will not let me try them. did your doctor just give them to you when you asked for them? I looked them up and found that Doxycylene is used for acne and bacterial infections but I don't understand what the prednisone was used for? Could you explain I am so tired of having melasma!! Please help!

My melasma started very slowly about 5 or 6 years ago on my upper lip, it was worse in the summer. About 3 years ago it started get fairly bad so I went off the pill and it lightened up somewhat and could be masked with makeup. Then I got pregnant and it got even worse, my daughter is almost 2 now and my melasma is the worst it has ever been. It is summer now so obviously the sun is making it much worse, I wear 60 uva/uvb sunscreen and wear a hat but it isn't helping much.

I have done loads of reading about melasma and I think it is obviously related to hormones and genetics but I also think it is fungas related as well. I do not get yeast infections very often, like 2 in the last 3 years. but I have been getting this foot fungas on and off for a few years now, it is called Pitted keratolysis. Does anyone else who has melasma have any other signs of bacterial or fungal growth on their bodies?

I have asked my doctor many times about my melasma and he said "you have to live with it, your a pretty woman and if thats your biggest problem - oh well! " This is not something I am willing to live with, it has greatly affected my confidence and I don't go out with my friends as much because I am embarrassed. I wear makeup but it makes me feel worse because the melasma is still visible and it honestly doesn't look much better with makeup.

Several months ago I came across a site called abc homeopathy and found similar stories as the ones on this site. I tried msm but only lasted a few days on it as it caused severe headaches. I have been reading everyones posts and feel hopefull that something will work for me. I went out and bought GRAPEFRUIT seed extract today and just started. I will also use apple cider vinegar day and night on my skin.

I am going to stick to a regime and track my progress so I can share with all of you. wish you all luck and thank you for sharing your stories, it is comforting to know I am not alone and that their are other people out there looking for a cure.

xoxo

Hi Carla

I found this website yesterday and already order my supplements to start next week. I just would to like to ask you what is the right dosage to start? can I take the MSM, GSE and Vitamin C at the same time? If you could give me some directions.

thanks, Elisa.

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I am 30 and have had melasma for about 5 years. I think it is from taking birth control and spending a lot of time in the sun. It started as just a strip on my upper lip and now I have brown patches all over my face. I have tried IPL, the blue peel, chemical peels and microdermabrasion as well as many other expensive creams and treatments to get this under control. The results have all been temporary at best. I discovered this site about a month ago and have been taking 2,000 mg of MSM with Vitamin C everyday along with using ACV and hydrogen peroxide topically (not at the same time), taking 50 mg zinc picolinate, 15 drops of GSE in my water every morning, and drinking my own homemade kefir.

The MSM and ACV have made my skin very soft and my complexion has cleared up a lot, but I have yet to see a huge difference in my melasma. I have started using my Retin-A and I'm hoping this will help speed up the process. If anyone has any ideas or advice I would be very appreciative. Has anyone had luck with the pycnogenol? If so, where did you get it?

I've been on this forum before and am happy to report that I've made progress with my melasma battle - and I really wanted to share with you all (as it's completely because of you guys and all your fab posts)!

My melasma originally started on one cheek. After two years, I started noticing it developing on the other cheek. I was on the contraceptive pill and made the decision to come off it (I'd been on it for 8/9 yrs).

Last summer was particuarly difficult as the marks were so dark that they couldn't be covered. Cover-up made them look grey. Then I started noticing tan patches appearing on my forehead - nightmare.

I decided not to use any harsh chemicals on my skin - I truly believe these mask the problem and will only make your skin sensitive and susceptible to further problems.

I invested in a high factor (40 ) sunscreen/make-up, which I always wear - rain or shine.

I increased my water intake and made sure my diet was full of fruit and vegetables.

Initially, I tried Grapeseed Extract 1000mg, Grapefruit Seed Extract (which I found made me feel sick with the taste), MSM 1000mg, Zinc 100mg, Vit C 100mg. I think I probably needed to start off with smaller amounts because I started to feel really unwell and felt my health was suffering. Plus, I saw no change in my skin. Although I should point out I was still on the pill when trying these.

However, a couple of weeks ago I visited this site again and saw someone mention kefir. I did some reading and thought it was worth a shot. I bought some grains on the internet and started making kefir (daily) - which I turn into a smoothie or pancakes.

Well - after only two weeks my melasma looks like it's fading. It can now be covered with make-up. Even better, I spent the day in the sun and it isn't any worse.

Even my husband has told me my skin looks smoother and brighter - result. I'll definitely keep this going. I'm also going to introduce Grapeseed Extract and MSM again - (slowly this time) to see if I can speed up results.

So thank you for posting about kefir - it's brilliant stuff. If anyone has any other advice they could give me that would be great.

I'll keep you all posted on the results.

I found this about melasma in one of my newsletters from Dr. Jonathan Wright (Washington state):

Both retinoic acid (a natural, acid form of vitamin A) and azaleic acid (a natural component of human skin) can lessen the abnormally heavy pigmentation of melasma, but in 2002 Chinese investigators reported another simple but effective remedy.

The researchers investigated the effects of pycnogenol (a standardized antioxidant rich extract of the bark of the French pine tree Pinus pinaster) against melasma in thirty women with the condition.

After standardized measurements of area and degree of melasma pigmentation, each woman took 25 milligrams of pycnogenol three times daily for 30 days. Both the area covered by melasma and the intensity of the pigment were significantly reduced. The "general effective rate" was 80 percent and no side effects were reported. Other symptoms also decreased during the 30 days, including fatigue, constipation, pains in the body, and anxiety.

The researchers wrote: "To conclude, pycnogenol was shown to be therapeutically effective and safe in patients suffering from melasma."

I hope this helps!

Okay people, I have been battling melasma for about 2 years or so and it was getting progressively worse by the month! I want to tell you what is helping me. First of all, I have a food journal that I've been keeping for about a year and I write EVERYTHING in it that I eat and what I use on my skin so I can track the changes.

About 3 months ago I had a big patch of my melasma got dark and crusty and then completely went away to reveal normal skin. Then, no more of the melasma went away so I recently went through my food journal to find out what I was eating and what I was putting on my face. The only thing that I could find that I was doing then and not now was eating lots of raw carrots (not sure why). I'm not a huge carrot fan so I started looking online for beta carotene benefits and saw that a lack of beta carotene causes dry skin and other skin conditions. I bought some at the health food store, 25,000 IU and took it immediately. That was yesterday, and no joke today it is much lighter. BUT, before that I remembered reading that melasma might be a fungal condition and I gave my boyfriend a long time ago some oregano oil for something (I can't remember) that he was dealing with. He suggested to me that I try it on the melasma only because it is an anti-fungal oil.

So on the eve of Easter of this year, I took a couple of drops and started rubbing it into only the parts with melasma and OMG, it burned so bad at first, worse than ACV. The burning subsided so I left it on for about 30 minutes or so and washed it off really well. I have to tell you, you should maybe dilute it with another oil, I used argon oil after that painful experience and it helped but still burned a bit. Anyway, yesterday morning I used the oregano oil again in the morning with the argon oil and by yesterday evening, some of my melasma spots are dry and flaking. Before when I had that big patch that went away, it also dried up and fell off. So I think it is either the oregano oil or the beta carotene or both. I'm not going to pick the dry scaly pieces off, I'm going to wait until they fall off. I'll check back in as soon as I notice the difference. I'm hoping a couple of days the skin will slough off. This condition is awful and I too am on the hunt for a solution. I've tried EVERYTHING and I research this every single day. I also want to say that I'm doing the GSE, MSM, ACV and have not seen any real difference with those. Hope this works, I'll check back soon.

Can u please contact me? I would really like to know how your results turned out, or did it come back. I'm also from Bakersfield.

Beatrice, thanks for your info! You're really giving me hope. Not only have you gone through very similar experiences as me including your remark about cosmelon, we are similar in age and in melasma age as well. I just started msm, vit c, gse combo one week ago. I believe msm is very safe to take and vit c is safe as long as your body needs it. I have a question- how long did you notice a major change or improvement? I cannot wait until I see mine. Also did you also have melasma in upper lip area. If so has it gone away?

Thank you!

This is so awesome! I visited this site 3 nites ago and I already see results, its fading. I just hope it goes away completely. Can someone plz tell me how long it actually takes to clear up totally? I will continue to use and keep you posted with my results!