★★★★★
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.
MSM, Gluthathione, Vit C, GSE
Thank you!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
My current regime is:
Scrub face twice daily (or more if can fit in) with Apple Cider Vinegar... Stinks... Rub in undiluted to the affected areas until cannot bear the stinging anymore... scrub hard.
Taking following vitamins daily:
1 zinc tablet, 1 selenium tablet, 1 vitamin b3 tablet, 4 vit c tablets, 2 pure msm capsules
Castor Oil ..... massage onto face after apple cider vinegar scrub.
Something is happening - some areas have lightened a lot, other areas are lightening but not so quickly.
I have had comments that I look 'fresh'
I'm not sure what is helping whether it is all of the above or one thing in particular.
I am not seeing the 'miraculous' overnight success that other have talked about. This is the most encouraged I have ever been though. I will continue this regime for at least 3 months to see if there is continued improvement.
Good luck to everyone fighting the same problem
Cheers, Maz
It is nice to know that you are getting good results. I want to know about grapefruit seed extract. Is it in liquid form or tablet. Is it available in singapore?
Thanks.
Multiple Remedies
Castor OIl
★★★★★
I have used castor oil topically on dark spots on my legs. It has been the only thing that worked for me. I use a very small amount (dime-size) and topically rub it in the darkened spots. It may take a couple weeks before you notice a difference.
★☆☆☆☆
It's been a while since I last wrote to EC. I have been battling melasma for years now and it has become my life mission to find a cure. I have tried everything cosmetic with disastorous results for my face and my wallet. The worst experience I had was IPL laser which made my melasma 100 times worse.
I've tried various concoctions from EC including MSM, Grapefruit, hydrogen peroxide to little avail, , , that being said I've probably not stuck to anything long enough to see a result... I'm a firm believer if there is no improvement in a few weeks there isnt going to be.
I am now on a regime of Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin C, zinc and horseraddish as these are about the only things I've not tried, It's been 1 week since I started using ACV and maybe there is a little improvement but nothing as dramatic as the results some have posted. I guess we all have to trial and error various methods to find the magical one that will work.
I promised myself if I find a solution I will tell everyone... so for those of you still battling this I feel your pain and will keep you posted on any improvements I see. Cheers, Maz
★★★☆☆
And with the melasma, I'm now reading that tinea causes hypopigmentation. Is it possible for me to have both melasma and tinea as I think I have both the hyper and hypo pigmentation on my face. I have been taking about 10,000 m? per day of MSM with about 3,000 vit C for about a month. I think I've seen some fading of my melasma, but my skin is still very blotchy. I don't think I've seen the success most see on that MSM protocol which makes me think the tinea and hypopigmentation is a big problem as well.
How can I truly treat both at the same time and be done with both issues for once and for all. The itchy feet wakes me up in the middle of the night when it's flaring and is so miserable. And the hyper/hypo pigmentation is such a nuisance. Thank you.
★★★★★
MSM, Vitamin C, Grapefruit Seed Extract
★★★★★
1000 mg MSM, 1000 mg Vita C and 1000 mg Grapefruit seed extract and so far I have had great results, I am really surprised and happy. A lot of people on this page seems to be confusing grapefruit extract and grapefruit seed extract, no wonder they don't get results, IT IS NOT THE SAME.
Kefir
★★★★★
A little over two months ago, I started making my own kefir from the living grains which I've written about here on EC. I started because of reading about all the benefits which sounded unreal because it lists a long array of them. Well, I have found so many of the benefits to be true. Among them, one of the most profound for myself was that almost all of my melasma is gone and my skin is amazing. If you google kefir and melasma a lot of info comes up about it! It might interest you to do that. At any rate, I just thought I'd share this info w/ you since I can feel your frustration. Just remember it won't work overnight although I have to say it was only about 2 weeks into it that I started to notice its disappearance! Best to you, Lisa
Copper Connection to Melasma
Copper Connection to Melasma
★★★★★
A) Quit smoking cigarettes 3 months ago. For those of you with melasma who smoke, I believe it can only help to quit. I quit with hypnosis, it was a cakewalk - I feel great and life is VASTLY improved - never goin' back.
B)I quit drinking alcohol also about 3 months ago - candida/copper/hormone connection. No good for melasma. Also quit via hypnosis, also a BREEZE.
C) Currently taking the following supplements daily:
10000mg MSM
1000mg vitamin C
50mg zinc
10 to 15 drops GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract)
When I started the GSE a few days ago was when I started to see the big patches of healed skin appear literally overnight. Let me be accurate and clear here: I had a solid splotch on my forehead, a solid splotch down my nose, and shading on my upper lip. When I say "big patches of healed skin" I mean, the splotch of light brown pigment on my forehead is about 1. 5"x2" big. Now, splotches of regular healed skin appearing are varied sizes, a couple approx 4mmx3xmm, several 2mmx2mm, and several more measuring 1mmx1mm. This happened on my nose several months ago, making the whole solid mark down my nose disappear leaving only two small faint spots. Upper lip is somewhat faded. Also noticed today the white yeast on tongue vastly decreased. I'm sure I had inbalance of yeast. See the melasma magically appeared a few years ago, at a time when I was rather depressed and drinking alcohol almost every day, and smoking cigarettes. I cut down, but it was too late. Anyway, MSM and GSE are key. The healed skin becomes normal and no sunscreen is needed - the melasma doesn't come back on those areas when you get rid of them with MSM. I know, as my healed nose area melasma never returned even when I was in the sun without sunscreen this summer regularly. The skin that returns to normal remains normal. I will report back on progress but please be patient as I will wait until I have what to report. I do truly believe it is an internal issue and have not bothered with external treatments as I've heard horror stories about it worsening the melasma and I won't dare take any chances with that. I can say I've seen progress. Now lets see how much more progress comes. Hang in there people, sooner or later someone'll find a real cure for this. Staying positive also does help. I will try the cilantro again, but what happened was, I realized it was rather foolish to do the cilantro metal cleanse while continously re-introducing copper & heavy metals into my body with my nasty chainsmoking cigarette habit and several bottles of white wine per week. So I quit the junk completely, continued with the supplements, added GSE and NOW will try the cilantro cleanse again. Whatever works will likely be a combination. Healthy lifestyle, spirit, and mind are a huge plus. ES
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
★★★★★
Apricot Kernel Oil cured my blotchy skin! Use a few drops as your regular face moisturizer.1-2t imes/week for about 6 months worked for me :) I'm 22 and tan very well, but every summer when I would start showing colour the skin on my face would get terribly blotchy. Lots of people told me that it was just the pigment of my skin and there was nothing I could do. My sister who also would get blotchy tanned skin noticed that after using Apricot Kernel Oil as a moisterizer on her face no longer had the same trouble that year. I stared in January and I can gladly say its the end of August and this is the first summer my face has a wonderfully even tan! (I still use sunsrcreen everday of course)
★★★★★
Grapefruit Seed Extract
★★★★☆
I really hope that everyone who has melasma is able to find a treatment that works for them. Good Luck!
Lisa B from Bermuda
PS: I truly believe that melasma should be treated from the INSIDE OUT because external treatments tend to be a temporary fix and fade creams can cause melasma to return darker.
Copper Connection to Melasma
Onion Juice, Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★☆
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
An update to my previous posts on my melasma condition. I was and still am using a product ____24. In addition I am still taking vitamins on a daily basis. Just recently my melasma came back with a vengeance. . . All my fault. I went on vacation to the beach and layed in the sun with sunscreen every day. I wanted a nice tan so badly. Well needless to say my melasma kicked in full gear. I came back to Earth Clinic for help. I tried the acv on my face in the evening before bedtime. This is only my second day and the spots are all fading! After I wash my face, I dip a cotton ball in water acv and put it all over my face. I cannot believe the improvement in just two days! Thanks Earth Clinic contributors! I will keep everyone posted on my progress.
Onion Juice, Hydrogen Peroxide
If u still check this site, can u tell me how is ur Melasma now?
Copper Connection to Melasma
Please can somebody please help me with my treatment of this 'stuff' on my face!?! I believe it to be caused by a reaction to anti biotics (strong ones) about 2 years ago. I did buy Grapefruit seed extract juice but couldnt take the taste so I have tablet form now. I am unsure as to the dose of Vit C I should take as more than 1000mg per day is harmful and how many tablets or the mg of GSE I should be taking. I do wonder if what I have read about copper overload is true to me so I am taking 20mg of Zinc too.
Thank you in advance.
Rosie