Melasma Remedies

melasma - I have tried juice of onion with equal amount of hydrogen peroxide as my face toner and in 2 weeks, my 'pigmentation' faded away. Thanks, i love yr website!

I just started looking into this to-day and from what I can gather (in laymans terms) Grapefruit seed extract is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic. Grape seed extract is good for cleaning and strenghtening all blood vessels (veins and capillaries). It's late here in Ireland so tomorrow I will try to look up the sites I got my information from and post them.

I would be interested in knowing the difference between grape seed oil extract bought in the 1 oz bottles in health shops and grapeseed oil which is situated next to the olive oil for cooking.

Yes, could someone share their expertise on grapefruit seed extract and grapeseed extract. The postings are clear that some people are using one vs the other.
Does anyone know what the differences are between the two and how they work in the body or on skin? Thanks.

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.

I have been taking MSM for several months for my melasma and it has not worked. I started out taking 1000 mg. per day and worked up to 24,000-36,000 mg. per day. I have not noticed any difference in my melasma. In fact after a trip to the beach, it got even worse. I have noticed other benefits from the MSM however, and will probably continue to take it. I believe it prevented me from getting sunburned at the beach. Also, it has given me softer skin and it also prevents constipation.

Hello everyone! I am 29 yrs old going on 30 in December. I developed melasma about 2 years ago and have been trying to get rid of it ever since. I have it on both cheeks, nose, forehead, and upper lip. A year ago I tried bleaching creams to treat it.....it didnt work. I thought it was in control over last winter because it was very faint. I left for Mexico in March of this year with of course my 60 spf sunscreen, but 2 days after beeing there my melasma had come out 3 fold and much larger!! I didnt even want to come out of my room. I have been doing alot of reading and have just recently started drinking aloe vera juice and taking 1000mg of grapeseed extract per day along with a multi vitamin and vitamin b. It has been a week and it is working!!!! the melasma on my cheeks has started to break up and on my forhead the size of the patch is getting smaller!! yeah!! I am so excited I hope this works for you! I will try to post another update soon! Leah.

I have been using a combination of the follwoing and it seems to be working:

Grapefruit seed extract extra strength, three drops in water with a little juice twice a day. I have found this at most health food stores. With regular strengh you would want to use about 15 drops.

A prescription cream derived from vitamin A every other night on very dry skin. You wash, moisturize, wait 45 minutes to an hour and then use the cream to avoid irritation. It comes in cream and gel. I prefer gel as I am very oily.

On alternate nights I use a prescription hydroquinone cream that also contains some sort of acid and some steroid cream. I use this only on the brown spots and I do the same as with the other cream... wash, moisturize and wait 45 minutes to an hour. It's gotten a bad wrap, but it works for me. You MUST avoid the sun when using it or they will get worse! I plan to taper off and discontinue this cream when the spots are totally gone. I will report back and let you know if they come back. I know that this cream can't be used for extended periods of time.

IMPORTANT: I use a sunscreen containing a physical block EVERY SINGLE day. I say this is important because prior to using this sunscreen the spots would fade and then come back. It's a bummer, but you have to use sunscreen every morning. A physical block sunscreen will contain something like zinc, a physical block, rather than a chemical block. My doctor specializes in melasma and she suggested this. It works. Also, if you are gardening or hiking or at the beach, you MUST wear a hat. It's just part of your life now. You must accept it. Learn to love it.

Also, I discontinued the birth control pill which I believed started the whole thing in the first place. I had been on it for about twenty years with no problem and then I woke up one morning with brown spots all over my face. A giant one across my forehead. I believe my hormones shifted as some other thngs started happening like migraines, etc... these have stopped since stopping the pill. I now use a hormone-free IUD. It works well for me. But it does have copper and some people believe copper causes melasma for some people.

I do have another theory though. I got the brown spots basically overnight after getting an immunization shot for typhiod fever before going to Egypt. I have heard theories that certain medications like anti-seizure medication and anti-malaria medication can cause melasma. I have always wondered if this immunization caused the problem, but I don't know.

I have also improved my diet. It's not strict, but I eat less sugar and starches and more vegetables and fruits. I also consume less dairy now. I try to give my liver a rest now and then and not drink alcohol, but I do like my wine.

My melasma is almost completely gone. I am getting the compliments I used to get on my skin before the brown spots. This combo is what is working for me. I think it takes a lot of dedication to get rid of melasma, but I think the changes made are good for you anyway. It's a pain to wear sunscreen every single day and not get a tan, but you won't wrinkle or get skin cancer, so look at it that way. I was on the pill for a long time, but now I am wondering how good that was for me. And a healthy diet is always a good thing.

I think a combo of interior and exterior will fade the melasma in many people. Just one or the other probably won't work as well and just exterior probably won't do much for long if the interior problem is still there... like you keep taking the BC pills or going in the sun.

BTW, I did try several IPL treatments. Although they made my skin look good for a while I don't think they did anything for my melasma really. They probably aren't worth the money. not for me anyway.

Anyway, good luck!

Grapefruit Seed Extract vs. Grape Seed Extract:

Commenters are exhibiting a great deal of confusion about these supplements.

According to Ray Sahelian, M.D., the correct supplement to use for melasma is

******Grape Seed Extract******

NOT Grapefruit Seed Extract.

I suggest that somebody try to clear this up. Maybe it would then help people to clear up their melasma.

All of Baba Ramdev's DVDs are available to watch for free on youtube.com. Just type 'Baba Ramdev' on you tube and you will see everything.

Thanks sandhya, this is very helpful. I will definitely post if this helps me and I am hoping it will.

Hi Sumita,

Answers below:

1. What was the reason for ur aunts melasma (BCP, Pregnancy, stress?
Answer: menopause, stress

2. Is she still doing pranayams and is her face still completely clear?
HER FACE IS COMPLETELY CLEAR. SHE HAD MELASMA ON CHEEKS, NOW HER CHEEKS ARE CLEAR AND GLOWING.

Yes, she drinks 2 glasses water in the mornings on an empty stomach and does pranayam and yoga. she does this for atleast 30-40 mins first thing in the morning. When she started benefiting from all this, she got really enthusiatic and would often repeat the pranayam and yoga in the evenings...always on an empty stomach (3-4 hours since last food intake)

3. Does she or did she avoid sun and take precautionary measures while in the sun? If yes what?

Answer: She doesnt particularly avoid sun, nor does she spend substantial time in the sun.
She uses Lacto calamine as a suncreen {it has natural ingredients, forms a physical barrier against the sun (not a chemical barrier), and is a good treatment for scarring and pigmentation)

4. Any diet changes that she made?
Answer: She always had a very clean diet. She is vegetarian, eats loads of fruits. She is quite diet and health conscious.

5. Did she do anything else too like dietary supplements or something?
Answer: She eats chyawanprash daily. She underwent some treatment for managing menopause and related discomfort such as hot flashes.

6. Were these two the only pranayams she was doing?
Answer: Like I mentioned above, pranayam and yoga as taught by Baba Ramdev. Ramdev teaches a set of 5 pranayams (google search will show the 5 pranayams), that he says will cure any condition in 9 months. She did all these 5 pranayams, plus yoga. I mentioned only kapalbhati and anulom-vilom as Ramdev says these 2 are the master pranayams and if you cant do all 5, then do these 2.

There are good yoga CDs by Ramdev available online. You can find them by doing a google search.
Good Luck!
I highly recommend the Art of Living basic course, for a fab detox for the body and mind. This will really prepare your body and mind for quick healing.

Thanks, I understand that u are not expert but u r certainly helpful... I do pranayams regularly (Both that u hv mentioned)... and i looking forward to the day i can post a feedback that my melasma is gone...

I want to know a few things from you and i will be grateful if u can answer them...

1. What was the reason for ur aunts melasma (BCP, Pregnancy, stress?
2. Is she still doing pranayams and is her face still completely clear?
3. Does she or did she avoid sun and take precautionary measures while in the sun? If yes what?
4. Any diet changes that she made?
5. Did she do anything else too like dietary supplements or something?
6. Were these two the only pranayams she was doing?

I know these are a lot of questions but i will be very grateful, if u answer them. Please answer whatever you can? Thank you for posting this to help others.

Dear Sumita from Ohio,

1. I have no personal experience of curing melasma, so I cannot answer about specific techniques to be used. But yes, my aunt was cured of melasma by doing pranayam (Kapalbhati, anulom-vilom)
2. If you want to learn how to do, use search terms like 'Kapalbhati, Baba Ramdev, yoga' in Google and you will get excellent videos on the same.
3. A fast track way of starting on pranayams will be to do the 'Art of Living Basic Course'. I believe they have an upcoming course session in Ohio too:
http://secure.artofliving.org/courses.aspx?state=ALL&city=All&type=1
Rush for it...definitely do the course, practice their pranayam for 3 months and I (almost) promise you will be very very happy with the outcome!! Try it. And please, when you get results, post feedback.

Dear Sandy from Bangalore, I am Sumita from US, I have melasma and I would like to know if your aunt is still continuing with pranayams and how is her skin now? Also can u give me ur mail address (if psbl), i just wanted to discuss a few pranayam techniques with u.

I take a total of 3000-4000 mg of MSM per day. I just added vitamin C yesterday (2000-3000 mg per day). I hope you find something that works for you!

you are using 1000 mg of msm total in a day or 1000 mg of msm 3-4 times daily totaling to 3000-4000 mg of msm please clarify for me as for the grapefruit seed extract i used the liquid for over a month and no results so i'm doing msm and vitamin c 2000 mg currently any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks so much

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!

Hi Vijaya,

The lady who originally posted GSE for melasma mentioned taking larger doses (20 drops/ 5 times a day) so may be you should try longer and larger doses. I took it for few days but my die off reaction was so bad that I had to stop it altogether. If you think you have a candida or some other infection, I think this'll help! Just try larger doses and also change your diet. No Sugar including fruits, no Refined products etc. Start a Candida diet! This is all I can suggest but don't lose hope!

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.

After reading these posts I've started taking MSM. I take one 1500mg pill a day and have been taking it for about 3 weeks. It looks like my dark patch is starting to break up - there are little white spots showing up on it. I have severe melasma that covers my whole left cheek across the bottom of my chin, and over to the right cheek.

Today I've started taking 15 drops of Grapefruit extract in the morning. I'm hoping to see even more results - I will keep you posted!

To Fernanda:

Hi Fernanda, Its good that you are eating healthy but here is what you have to do if you are not doing it already!

1. Avoid all Sugar, Dairy
2. Avoid all refined foods

Your diet should be rich in green foods to alkalize your blood. Search for candida diet and follow that. Also, could you tell me what kind of GSE you were using and how many drops per day?

You dont have to avoid all the foods for a lifetime just for few months until you control your candida. have you tried colon cleanse etc.?
I'll be happy to give my feedback to you!

thank you preet for getting back to me. as for my diet i eat pretty healthy althought i eat lunch out everyday because my work keeps me on the road and i am currently using gse straight, no longer mixing with amything and waiting it out to see if it makes any difference. are you familier with the horseradish mask as well and how long should i keep using gse as the health food store said a short time only because of the cleansing affect no good for long term. thank you again for your responce.

Hi Fernanda, Could you tell me how old your melasma is and what kind of diet you are taking? GSE largely helps by alkalizing your blood and killing parasites, yeasts, fungus etc but if your diet includes sugar products, refined carbohydrates etc. the effect of GSE decreases. Also, you have to stay on it longer (take it only with water without mixing into any kind of juices)

how do you tell what sort of melasma you could possibly have as i have been on gse for a month now and have no noticable results and have also tried the horseradish mask 3 times a week and only gotten a red face maybe i'm treating the ailment the wrong way. please let me know some sort of input and updates to your own experiences as i'm not having much success and the frequency that got you your results

I had a laser treatment a few months back that went very badly wrong,and I was left with patches of hyperpigmentation all over my face. Nothing worked, and in fact, my face seemed to have become hyper-sensitive to many things. Finally, through research on the net, I have found something that is lightening and curing my face significantly. I am making my own niacinamide cream, and in the mornings and evening I make a poultice with a slice of cucumber and crushed almond paste. I am still interested in exploring other things, though, and I would like to try adding lemon to my poultice, but I am very afraid of a bad reaction. Can anyone explain exactly HOW lemon bleaches the skin? is it just the acid? Also, I have heard that it does induce photosensitivity- if I use the lemon only at night, will the photosensitivity persist into the following day? any info would be much appreciated.

has anyone have any updates on melasma and the use of horsereadish and gse been on it for 3 weeks and really no change only upset stomach and a lot of itching due to the gse and as for the horseradish it burns on my face how long should i be using it and how often should i do it currently doing it 3 times a week

I am 41 years old suffering from Melasma. I turned to the internet to find remedies to help with my problem. I have it on my cheeks and I am writing on this forum to help anyone out, because someone has helped me. Here's what I tried that did NOT work. First I had 4 IPL (Intense Pulse Light) treatments. They did not work and in fact, made the problem worse. I now have lines going down my face where the laser treatment was on my face. As I said, I turned to the internet and I found that many people who suffer from Melasma may have copper overload. Personally I had never heard of this before. I am working on my master's degree in nutritional science, so I always look for the internal/external connection. Here's what I am doing now that IS working. Internally here is what I take daily. Supplements: 3,000 mg of MSM, Priobiotic (whatever brand you choose, look at the dosage, usually 2 capsules). 2000 msg's of Vitamin C with rosehips, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium (combined supplement)1000mg so far. Iron supplement (just one tablet) and I eat a ton of leafy green vegetables and as many natural foods that I can. I try to avoid processed foods as much as possible.

Here's what I use for the external that really seems to work. Exfoliate with clarisonic brush, use a favorite toner that works with your skin type. You can use Hydroquinone 4%, it works for me, but it makes me nervous, but it does work for me. I also used Meladerm, works well and no HQ. I do this every night, I never go to sleep with my makeup on!

I think the key is getting the proper nutrients inside and exfoliating every single day and it does take time but after months I am truly seeing a significant improvement. Put it this way, I don't want to cry now every time I look in the mirror. The IPL treatments put me over the edge that it made it so much worse. Now I am going to try the Grapefruit Seed extract and see what that will do for me. I know that in my younger years I was on the birth control pill, so I know hormones play a role, but my diet of sugar and junk food in my 20's and beyond has had an effect on my skin, I am sure. Now I am just trying to undo some of my past damage and I know I will get there with patience and time.

I just wanted to write to see if I could help someone else fight this annoying problem.

Good luck and I hope something I've said here helps.

JDW

i notice that when i ask a question i always get referred back to an old posting can someone give me updated info on horseradish and gse for melasma and exact details as to the use of them or an updated answer as some of these are old answers

thanks very much

A few months ago an esthetician at a skin care office recommended the obagi system to me a couple months ago for age spots on my cheeks. The program had retin-a, 4% hydroquinone and alpha hydoxhy acids. I didn't have any problems until I applied the hydroquinone. Immediately the lymph nodes in my neck became inflammed. I thought it was a fluke, waited a few days doing just the retin-a and alpha hydroxy, then applied it again. Same thing occured. I tried it ONE MORE TIME after a week's rest. Not a fluke at all, clearly a toxic substance. I then went online, which is what I should have done before shelling out almost $200 for this skincare line and read up on the hydroquinone. Happens to be banned in Europe, Australia and Japan because, quite simply, it's carcinogenic! Tied to leukemia in rat studies. The FDA wanted to ban hydroquinone a few years ago but came under sooo much pressure from dermatologists that so far, nothing. Apparently these skin "specialists" make an enormous amount of $ from selling it in packages like the obagi system. So the short of this story is, please be careful (not stupid like me) and research any products before you are talked into them by your doctor. That said, I am trying the grapefruit seed extract now!

how many drops were you using on a daily basis 5 times a day on an empty stomach i am currently using 10 drops 2 times a day and am getting a rash on my body maybe too strong of a dose let me know please and for how long should i be on it to see a difference. thank you for your help

Preet, I haven't been taking any prescriptions for four years now. I was on BC pills for almost 10 years. I also had taken Prozac for about three years. Both of the prescriptions mess with your hormones. I have not done any internal cleansing but have in the past and believe it could be beneficial. I did a candida cleansing and it helped my flatten my stomach and helped me lose weight and look less bloated.

In addition to the GSE I have also been doing the horseradish mask about three times a week. I was really tired of my spots so I wanted to try both at the same time. My melasma was mostly spots over my lips and two circles, one on each side of my cheeks. Good Luck

Hey Raquel, Thats so good to hear that you also have success with melasma treatment. Can I ask you if you did something else besides the GSE, any supplements etc. or any colon cleansing? Also, was your melasma related to BCPs or being pregnant. I'll really appreciate if you can provide the feedback also how long have you had melasma and where on your face?

Thanks a lot!
Preet

I tried the Grapefruit Seed Extract, to clear my Melasma, 12-15 drops in water three times a day.. It worked, IT WORKED!!!!!! I'm so happy! Thank you Marea from Dallas.. I've spent thousands of dollars on getting rid of it over the last four years. I tried laser removal, Obagi skin system from a dermatologists office, and every expensive treatment you can buy over the counter.. I still can't believe it when I look in the mirror. It's been a month and there is still some but it's no longer noticeable like it was before. I feel so much better and I don't look like I'm a female walking around with a mustache over my lip anymore.. Thank You, Thank You!!!! - R

Hello,
Can you tell me what is MSM 3x you are taking for your Melasma. Is it tablets. I need help on Melasma too. Please help me on wher you get it and how many times you take it a day. And how many mg of Vit C a day.

Thank you
Sara

Triluma is hydroquinone 4% plus tretinoin 0.5% (AKA Retinol or Retin_A) plus Fluocinolone Acetonide which is a corticosteroid primarily used in dermatology to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching. Therefore if Triluma works then hydroquinone alone should do the trick and it should not cost more than 20$-30$

Hello! Ok, i promised myself that if i found something that worked at curing my melasma that i would tell as many people as possible so that they can benefit too. Well, I HAVE!!! I honestly cannot believe it!! and it is largely due to the many people who have posted their solutions on this site. I'll give you a bit of background to my personal problem. In Sept 2008 i began the birth control pill for the first time in almost 10 years. It was to clear up an acne problem that i had developed in my 30's (I'm now 34). Come January 2009 (peek of Australian summer) i started to see brown dots on my cheeks. By the end of March they turned to dark brown pathches across my cheeks and a slight moustache looking shadow above my lip. Nothing would cover it. Not even the amazing Jane Iredale makeup. I did endless research about laser treatments but because i have dark skin naturally i was scared of the possible side effects. Last week (literally 1 week ago) I came across this site and a couple of others which related the pill to high levels of copper in the system which can lead to the melasma (high levels of copper is also found in pregnant women). This is what i chnaged from that moment onwards and the results have been AMAZING! Truly! The melasma has lightened and shrunk by abut 50% so far.

- Went OFF the pill!
- Took 1000 mg of vitamin C daily
- Took 1000mg of ZINC daily
- Used bleeching serum nighly on face (as perscribed by Dermatologist).
- Spread HORSERADISH (yes, that's right!!) from my local grocer as you would find in a jar. I've been rubbing a small amount on my melasma and leaving it to dry for around 20 mins. I've done this 3 times so far and I honestly believe this has been the key ingredient to the fading of my melasma.
- USED 30+ SUNSCREEN DAILY!!!! ever since beginning this process. I was not doing this before. I will now be using sunscreen on my face every day. This is also a crucial step in the process. Don't use bleech etc.. and then go out in the sun as it will only get worse.

I was in tears a week ago. I felt like I had these permanent tattoos on my face. I've woken up this morning actually 'looking' for the melasma because i can't see it the moment i look in the mirror. Before it was all i could see when i looked in the mirror.

I hope this worked for you too! AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS POSTED THEIR ADVICE!! A combination of a few solutions has truly been a miracle for me.
x

As i mentioned i too have melasma... I did Kapalbhati pranayam for a month in october and stopped doing it....Now i have started doing it religiously since last two months and i can see results... My skin is improving.... I plan to continue it and the results of past two months has made me hopeful that Kapalbhati will help me get rid of this condition..... Thank you Sandy, If not for your post i would not have started doing it again, That was the only post i found relating yoga to cure of melasma.....will keep posting....Best wishes for Good health and healthy skin to you all!!

FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE GAL THAT FIRST POSTED THIS INFO...U ARE A GODSEND ! I HAVE SUFFERED WITH ACNE AND MELASMA FOR OVER TEN YEARS. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING OUT THERE, SPENT THOUSANDS ON USELESS TREATMENTS, AND HAVE FOUND THAT SOMETHING SO SIMPLE AS HORSERADISH HAS ENDED THIS AWFUL CHAPTER IN MY LIFE ! THIS STUFF BURNS A BIT, BUT IS INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE AT ELIMINATING ALL BROWN PATCHES INCLUDING ONE THAT LOOKED PRECANCEROUS...IT JUST FELL OFF ! I AM TRUELY AMAZED AT HOW FAST THIS STUFF WORKS.

I HAVE BEEN PUTTING IT ON AT NIGHT AND LET IT DRY WHILE I READ OR WATCH TV. I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT ON ALL NIGHT BUT AFTER IT DRIES IT WILL FLAKE OFF AND GET ALL OVER YOUR PILLOW/BED. SO WHAT I DO IS KINDA GROSS, BUT IT WORKS...I STAND OVER MY SINK AND GENTLY WIPE IT OFF WITH A DRY WASHCLOTH. I DO NOT WASH MY FACE ...I WANT TO LEAVE WHATS LEFT ON MY FACE ON ALL NITE LONG, ONLY WIPING AWAY THE EXCESS DRIED HORSERADISH. DO NOT RUB, ONLY WIPE GENTLY. I TRIED DOING THIS TWICE A DAY BUT IT WAS TOO MUCH...AND I BURNED MY SKIN A LITTLE....SO ONCE A DAY IS SUFFICENT.

I STARTED USING THIS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND ITS ALMOST GONE...AND I HAD IT ALL OVER MY FACE.IT WAS REALLY REALLY DARK TOO. I HAVE ALSO HAD ACNE MY WHOLE LIFE IT SEEMS, AND HAVE NEVER FOUND ANYTHING THAT HELPS. I HAVE CYSTIC, AND REGULAR ACNE.I WAS SO SURPRISED TO NOT HAVE A BREAK OUT WHEN I GOT MY PERIOD. SO I HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH IT ON PIMPLES AND CAN BELIEVE WHAT IT DOES. THIS STUFF DRIES IT UP IMMEDIATELY !

I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH MY RESULTS I AM NOW PUTTING IT ON MY ARMS WHERE I HAVE LOTS OF SUN DAMAGE AND A FEW SPOTS THAT I AM WORRIED MAY BECOME CANCEROUS. WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW THAT GOES. I HAD A SIMILAR AGE SPOT THAT LOOKED CANCEROUS ABOVE MY EYEBROW. I HAD ONLY BEEN USING IT FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS WHEN THE WHOLE THING JUST CAME OFF, LIKE A SCAB ON A WOUND. WOW !!! THIS STUFF BURNS AND STINKS BUT IS SOOOO WORTH IT ! A MIRACLE PRODUCT SITTING ON YOUR GROCERS SHELF FOR ONLY A FEW BUCKS. TRY IT U WILL BE AMAZED TOO. BE DILIGENT AND DO IT EVERY NITE UNLESS U HAVE BROKEN SKIN...THEN U SHOULD WAIT TILL IT HEALS. I USE REGULAR CREAMY STYLE...NOT THE EXTRA HOT.