Melasma Remedies

Oregano Oil

Posted by Lily (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 04/13/2012
0 out of 5 stars

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.

Glycolic Acid

Posted by Roseyposey (Youngsville, Nc, United States) on 12/19/2011
★★★★★

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...

Hormone Cause

Posted by Julieanime (Silver Spring, Maryland) on 11/13/2011

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Wowchic (Kingston, Jamaica) on 03/10/2011
★★★★★

I read all the stories posted here 2 nites ago and already my melasma is fading. I do hope it goes away. Can someone tell me how long b4 I c complete results and do I have to use continuously?

Prescription Drugs

Posted by Suzy (Tallmadge, Ohio) on 11/09/2010

Ive had melasma which has covered nearly 40% of my face. It started about a 1 1/2 years ago. I got a little spot on my nose and around my upperlip. 6 months ago it started very quickly to spread. I went to several Dr even cleveland clinic and they gave me creams but nothing worked. They all told me the same thing. "Theres nothing you can do, it will probably get worse." I wasnt willing to believe that. I started reading natural cures and heard about apple cider vinegar and tried it. It got a little better. So I realized that there has to be a cure otherwise it wouldnt have helped at all. I had a spot on my fingernail which I believed was fungus. I also had granuloma Annular on my neck and when I put Apple cider vinegar on it it helped the nail and eliminated the granuloma completely. So then I realized they had to be connected to the melasma. I began my mission. I had been to several Dr. I knew that all 3 were related, they all told me I was crazy that there was no connection. I knew if I could find what cured my fingernail it would cure the melasma. Each dr perscribed something diffrent nothing worked. So I began doing more research on the internet and realized what I needed was Doxycylene and prednisone to cure it. Sure enough it worked 5 days later the bacteria in my nail is gone and so is the melasma. I think mine was caused from a bacteria in my body. Dont give up you just need to know where its coming from..... Good luck!!!!! Suzy

Apricot Kernel Oil

Posted by Carla (Summerland, Bc) on 08/24/2010
★★★★★

pigmentation disorder

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)

MSM, Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Alfred (Bangkok, Thailand) on 05/22/2010

Good Day Cara..Hyaluronic Acid should clear up your skin..I had bad skin on my face that I covered with a beard. After taking HA for 3 months my face skin is soft, supple and those dark spots are nearly gone..The brand I am taking is absorbed into the body easily. Take 3 pills daily that contains 100mg.

I care
Alfred

Supplements

Posted by Reina (New York, Ny, Usa) on 03/11/2010
★★★★☆

Yea!!!!, thank you, gracias, merci, Grapefruit seed 125mg capsules x 4 and msm 1000mg x 4 and Vit C 100m x 4 and liver clean herbal capsules x 4 and since i am a true believer in my chinese herbs, i drink one that they sell for pigmentation and put 300mg of chinese pearl powder in my morning green smoothie and today was my first day on the GSE,MSM,VITC,liver clean at about 3 hr intervals and tonite, MY MELASMA ON MY UPPER LIP is outrageously lighter...after i washed off my makeup tonite i started to cry i am so shocked and happy.....this is a huge miracle as I have suffered from this problem for about 3 or 4 years now. I did microdermabrasion, laser, obagi, electrolysis, every medication on the shelves of every store in manhattan and nothing absolutely nothing ever had this lightening effect. it's as if i sat out under the moon instead of the sun.

i also use the derma roller on my skin for about 2 weeks now and it had not had this effect.
after i use the roller i apply castor oil and do a acupressure type massage and then apply msm lotion and then dmso on my face.

i am a raw vegan foodie and drink black coffee in the morning to get angry enuf to practice law in nyc. i am also a big fan of cacao (chocolaholic) not milk chocolate-the real stuff.

i am a long distance runner, am 51 and look 35 and spend loads of time in the sun.

no matter what i did i could not get rid of the dark spots that first started on my lip because of the waxing and then all of the other procedures to get rid of the hairs on my lip which i believe started because of minoxidol and then menopause which started at 49.

my hair started thinning at about 37 and now i have a full head of very long hair but it found its way to my eyebrows (which i like) and my lip which i do not like.

so i am now relegated to using that teeny tiny razor, uggh, very embarassing to admit, and thus the stain....have not used the minoxidol for about two days, since i learned that rubbing my nail beds together for 5 mins a day, stopped the hair loss when i use the flat iron.

whew, i know that is a lot of info but i am so happy i cannot stop writing.

Thank you for existing Earth Clinic. Thanx community of very beautiful givers on this site. If anybody needs anything from me reach me at [email protected].

BTW, i am olive skinned but with the yellow undertone, latina, brown hair and so very humbled and happy. i can't wait to go out, i had been staying home because of shame and thought everyone was looking at my lip.
lovlov,
reina

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Gigi (Brampton, Ontario) on 10/23/2009

Hi Preet,

I am more than happy to answer your questions:

1) I took the liver detox (which does have milk thistle),in liquid form, about an hour before sleep, but not with other meds

2) GSE -- I take 20 drops 3 to 5 times a day, don't eat anything for about an hour afterwards

3) Yes, I did get flu like symptoms sometimes, but I think that was from the MSM, not GSE (I am fine now) I think my body was getting rid of a lot of toxins when first started taking the MSM, but now I am fine

4) I did not have any constipation problems. I think this is due to the fact that I take acidopolis (powder form), 1/4 teaspoon, in a glass of water once a day, at separate times than the GSE. The acidopolis puts back the good bacteria, which the GSE may kill (although, it is only a small amount of good bacteria which GSE kills).

5) I am originally from the South Pacific of Indian background, so giving up tea or any sort of caffeine is not plausible (LOL).

I hope this helps you. I know how debilitating this condition can be but believe me, hon, there is hope, don't give up! You have to keep at it, it could take anywhere from three to six months to see visible results (although, some people have seen results before than). You can lessen the effects of the GSE die off, by taking the acidoplis at separate times. You may get some flu like symptoms, but once your body gets used to it, you will be fine. On another note, just make sure you are not allergic to any citrus because if you are DO NOT TAKE the GSE.

Take care,
and keep me posted as to your results.
Warmest Regards,
Gigi

Zinc

Posted by Kathy (Dubois, Pa) on 10/01/2009
★★★★★

I've been meaning to post about melasma for awhile now, and your post reminded me to do it. Melasma can be a sign of a copper overload. I had melasma on my forehead and jaws until I added 50mg/day of Zinc Picolinate to my diet. After I did that the melasma faded away. For me, it was a completely unexpected result, but since Zinc balances Copper, my result leads me to conclude that I was too high in Copper. I had the melasma at the same time I was hypothyroid, hypoadrenal and estrogen over-loaded, all of which can lead to a build-up of Copper in the body (as I now know).

EC: Kathy is referring to the following post on the mole remedies page:

10/01/2009: Vernetta from Tampa, Fl writes: "I stumbled upon this website by accident about 6 months ago. I have tried several of the suggestions mentioned for different ailments and they have all worked. I tried the remedy for mole removal using organic apple cider vinegar from the health food store. I had this ugly mole on my neck and I must say that after soaking a cotton ball and applying it to the mole at night for 5 days, securing it with a bandaid, I am mole free. Thank you so much for that helpful suggestion. I have also been using the organic apple cider vinegar on my melasma (face) applying it directly on the skin using a cotton ball and it has lighten the areas on my cheeks and forehead. I think in a few months the melasma will have faded completely."

Horseradish

Posted by Jake (Bend, Or) on 08/25/2009
★★★★★

HORSERADISH CURED MY SUN DAMAGE/ MELASMA. I have sun damage/ melasma on my forehead and while IPL worked great on my freckles, it did not work on this. I also tried hydroquinone to no avail. What did work (and I think it has been aided by significantly improving my diet, exercise routine, quiting marijuana, and taking msm, vitamin c, fish oil, multi-vitamin, antioxidants, and licorice as recommended by this and similar sites) more than anything and relatively fast was horseradish. I had had the redness for two years and then started putting an all natural horsedadish on it and it has almost gone in just months.

It scared me at first because I put it on 3 times for twenty minutes in a 36 hour period and it got so much darker and stayed that way, so I cursed my decision and fate. However, it peeled off within two weeks, similar to a sunburns peel (and close to what IPL does to freckles) and was lighter. Since then I experimented with the best way to administer it, and I know the goal is to just irritate the skin enough to get it to peel. For me with fair skin, I now cake it on the affected areas and leave it for an hour and fifteen minutes or so and then wait a week while it peels.

I recommend starting slowly by doing it once for fifteen minutes and then waiting a week or two to check the effect, Slowly increase either frequency or duration until you know what it takes to get a peel and then go with that. Although it burns fairly painfully to leave it on longer, I prefer one long dose because it's such a pain to put the stuff on and have it on your skin. Just go slow, and trust that it will work, for which I am so grateful to this site and other natural sites for turning me on to. Good luck.

Onion Juice, Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Sumita (Akron, Ohio) on 06/01/2010

Hi Shirley,

If u still check this site, can u tell me how is ur Melasma now?

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Becky (Queen Creek, Az, Usa) on 08/16/2009
★☆☆☆☆

I tried taking GSE for melasma and it did not work. I took 15 drops in water, 3 times per day. I did that for 2 1/2 weeks and did not notice any difference in the melasma, so I tried increasing the dose to 20 drops, 3 times per day. I could only do that for a couple of days; it tasted so horrible! After that, I tried taking 15 drops, 3 times per day again, but did not notice any difference, and the taste was so horrible, I just could not take it anymore. I don't believe it is a fungal condition that is causing my Melasma. However, if I were to ever try the GSE again, I would take it in capsule form.

Grape Seed Extract, Vitamins

Posted by Leah (Sardis, Bc) on 10/20/2009
★★★★★

Hello ladies!
I am glad to give you another update! yes my melasma has gotten better, in fact its so faded that even I have a hard time seeing where the out lines of the melasma are!! I was taking 1000mg of grapeseed extract. I buy it at my local health food store (you wont find that dose at the drug stores). It is in capsules and found in a white bottle with purple and black writing. Each capsule is 500mg and I take 2 pills at the same time once a day.
I have just recently stopped taking grapeseed extract only because my skin is so much better. I have been off of the grapeseed for about 3 weeks now. It has not gotten worse, although where I am the sun isnt out too much right now it is raining alot and if not raining then its cloudy. I will have to wait untill spring and summer to see if it comes back. I was also told, that if you start taking grapeseed extract a month before all the nice weather starts it could prevent the melasma from comming back. I will have to test that in a few months, but right now I feel great about the way my skin looks. One of the other benifits to taking the grapeseed extract as well as aloe vera juice I have noticed my acne hasnt been as bad. Although it did get a little worse before it got better (the acne) I think it may have something to do with all the cleansing of the body that both grapeseed and aloe do (so Ive heard)..

I will keep you posted
Leah

Grapefruit Seed Extract, MSM

Posted by Andrea (Philadelphia, PA) on 06/23/2009
★★★★☆

These postings have been so helpful. I have had melasma for years now and only just learned what it is. I just assumed it was sun damage and that there was nothing I could do about it. It is most noticeable on my upper lip but I also have it above my nose and below my eyes. When I read this information I immediately started on MSM and grapefruit seed extract. I tried to do a before picture but couldn't capture it well so in the first week when I noticed a small clear patch on each side of my upper lip I thought maybe it was my imagination. Now I am 2 1/2 weeks into the process and I have much larger clear patches so I know it is not my imagination. It is by no means gone but it is definitely going away. I was going to wait to post but realized any progress is progress and if my adding that it is working for me could help someone else then that would be a good thing. I take 1000mg of MSM and 250 mg grapefruit seed extract (in pill form) 3 or 4 times a day. So basically with every meal and if I remember I take an extra dose before bedtime. I will check back in. Thank you to everyone who has posted and good luck to everyone just beginning to try!

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Vijaya (Hartford, Ct) on 06/11/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Hi Everyone,
I started taking GSE since May 14th 15 drops 3 times a day. I have seen very little change. I am not figting up hope, i will keep trying for another couple of months and keep you all posted. I had mesalma for a long period of time over 15 years. I will start takig mega doses of vitamin c as well. Please any one has advice?..very desperate..thanks.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Kim (Discovery Bay, CA) on 10/20/2008
★★★★★

I found the biggest improvement with Mandelic/Malic acid. I first used Nucelle's SPA System and saw big benefits, but because the price, I switched to Mama Lotion.

Still, I didn't get rid of the melasma completely. I was having other problems too, such as acne, stomach problems, numbness and migraines, etc. so I saw a nutritionist who put me on a food plan to cleanse my system. It was only $120 to see the nutritionist and I've been on this plan for a couple of months. I notice HUGE improvements overall. I feel wonderful! She suggested fasting, but I haven't done it yet.

I pretty much cut everything out of my diet (wheat, dairy, sugar), I have great recipes to follow which contain mostly fruits, vegetables, brown rice or brown rice pasta and raw nuts (some lean meats). I try to buy mostly organic when I can afford it. I have my fruit in my morning smoothie and I add Nature's Plus Source of Life daily and KYO green. At night I take flaxseed oil, milk thistle and probiotics.

I think you not only have to treat the skin on the outside, but on the inside too! I wish I could share my food plan with all of you!!!

Good luck!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Denise (Brooklyn, New York) on 10/20/2008

It was great to hear how your new diet has helped you, I always new that the proper foods are the foundation for overall well being. However you did not mention if the diet made a difference in your melasma is it gone ? has it been reduced? I am a melasma sufferer myself and would do anything to get rid of this ghastly condition.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Rita (Toronto, Canada) on 06/27/2008
★★★★★

Hydrogen Peroxide is wonderful. I tried hydrogen peroxide to brush my teeth, and it is very good, my breath is clear and my teeth are shining! and I have melasma on my cheek, I just tried several days to apply it on my face and I found the colour faded. I love this one.