Melasma Remedies

Hello Ladies - I wanted to let you know I found all of your posts very helpful. I have been dealing with this disease for 4 years now, and it was prior to my children. It has really flared up since getting pregnant 2 years ago. My little girl is now 8 months old and Friday 04/25 I found this site with your comments. I have been using the MSM 1,000 MG for about a month or so but only taking it once, also I have been doing 500mg of Vit.C once a day. I have went up on both I am now taking the MSM - 1,000MG 3 times a day and the Vit. C 2 times a day, and in less than a week I have seen dramatic results. I am so happy to have found something that is helping! Thank you all! I wanted to post this for encouragement to all! I am also using Proactiv and I think it helps lighten it. One more thing I put on a 50spf everyday! Boy Oh Boy how wonderful at last some results.

Please read below - Melasma is a yeast fungus overgrowth caused by too much Copper in the body due to birth control pills and/or a vegetarian diet. (Moisturizers in creams and makeup feeds the yeast)

Pure aloe vera gel applied 3 - 4 times a day to the face and supplements of MSM, Zinc, Calcium, iodine,liquid from kelp and vitamin C will purge the body of excess copper and your melasma will dissapear. Avoid all foods high in copper. After it is gone - Highly recommend taking an excellent Multi Vitamin w/o copper, but with all of the anti copper supplements in the vitamin and probiotics and digestive enzymes daily.

Copper Toxicity Syndrome

Other Contributing Causes of Copper Toxicity
The following factors are also major contributing factors to copper toxicity: use of birth control pills, copper intrauterine devices, antibiotic therapy, stress, strict vegetarian diets and refined food diets which are deficient in zinc.

Excerpt

Do you know anyone who suffers from headaches, fatigue, insomnia, depression, spaciness, learning disorders or premenstrual syndrome? These can be symptoms of a copper imbalance.

Copper, an essential trace mineral, is vitally important for both physical and mental health. It has been studied for years, including at government laboratories. However, its importance for health is still largely unappreciated. The following is but an introduction. The author is deeply indebted to Dr. Paul C. Eck, an avid copper researcher.

COPPER'S ROLE IN THE BODY

Copper is critical for energy production in the cells. It is also involved in nerve conduction, connective tissue, the cardiovascular system and the immune system. Copper is closely related to estrogen metabolism, and is required for women's fertility and to maintain pregnancy. Copper stimulates production of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. It is also required for monoamine oxidase, an enzyme related to serotonin production.

It is possible to become copper-toxic or copper-deficient, and there is a condition called biounavailable copper. In the latter, copper is present, but cannot be utilized. Toxicity and biounavailability are seen most often. This article uses the words copper imbalance when more than one situation is possible.

Physical conditions associated with copper imbalance include arthritis, fatigue, adrenal burnout, insomnia, scoliosis, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, migraine headaches, seizures, fungal and bacterial infections including yeast infection, gum disease, tooth decay, skin and hair problems and female organ conditions including uterine fibroids, endometriosis and others.

Mental and emotional disorders related to copper imbalance include spaciness, depression, mood swings, fears, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, violence, autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder. Copper deficiency is associated with aneurysms, gout, anemia and osteoporosis.

Interestingly, the symptoms of premenstrual tension are identical to the symptoms of copper imbalance.

SOURCES OF COPPER

Today, many children are born with excessive tissue copper. It is passed from high-copper mothers to their children through the placenta.

Stress from any cause contributes to copper imbalance. Stress depletes the adrenal glands and lowers the zinc level in the body. Whenever zinc becomes deficient, copper tends to accumulate. Our soil is low in zinc. Refined sugar, white rice and white flour have been stripped of their zinc. The trend toward vegetarianism reduces zinc in the diet, since red meat is the best dietary source of zinc.

Copper is found in many foods, particularly vegetarian proteins such as nuts, beans, seeds and grains. Meats contain copper, but it is balanced by zinc which competes for its absorption. Chocolate is high in copper. A desire for copper may help explain chocolate cravings.

Another source of copper is drinking water that remained in copper water pipes, or copper added to your water supply. During a recent dry summer, several Oregon cities added copper sulfate to their reservoirs to reduce algae growth. Accident and disease rates increased.

Other sources of copper are copper cookware, dental materials, vitamin pills, fungicides and pesticides residues on food, copper intra-uterine devices and birth control pills. Mrs. Robinson and her 6-month-old, breast-fed baby both began to experience hair loss. The cause was a daily prenatal vitamin containing 4 milligrams of copper, far too much for this high-copper mother.

Deficiencies of manganese, iron, B-vitamins and vitamin C can cause copper to accumulate. Adrenal hormones cause the liver to produce ceruloplasmin, the main copper binding protein in the body. Therefore, sluggish liver or weak adrenal glands may cause copper to build up in the tissues.

THE COPPER PERSONALITY

There is a high copper personality. Positive traits include a warm, caring, sensitive, emotional nature, often with artistic orientation and a child-like quality. Often high-copper people are young-looking. Many traditional feminine traits are associated with copper such as softness, gentleness and intuitiveness.

When the personality is not fully integrated or the copper becomes too high, negative traits show up. These include spaciness, racing thoughts, living in a dream world, naiveté, childishness, excessive emotions, sentimentality, a tendency to depression, fearfulness, hidden anger and resentments, phobias, psychosis and violence. Artists, inventors and other high-copper types often "live on the edge", in part due to their high copper level.

The copper personality tends to accumulate copper easily. Copper functions as a psychological defense mechanism. It causes one to detach slightly from reality. This provides relief from stress for the sensitive individual. It works well as long as the copper does not become too high. Very high copper can cause a psychotic break from reality, a type of schizophrenia.

An 18-year old schizophrenic patient had a hair copper level of 40 mg% (normal is 2.5 mg %). She hallucinated and attempted suicide twice while in the Scottsdale Camelback Mental Hospital. When her copper decreased to normal through a diet and supplement program, her symptoms disappeared and she has remained well.

COPPER AND SOCIETY

Is it possible that our mineral balance affects our attitudes? Copper is called the 'psychic' mineral, the 'intuitive' mineral, and a 'feminine' mineral because it is so important for the female reproductive system. Its level generally parallels that of estrogen. While many factors influence our attitudes and values, the rise in tissue copper levels in both men and women in the past twenty years parallels renewed interest in feminism, in psychic and intuitive knowledge, and 'nurturing' movements such as environmentalism.

COPPER AND SEXUALITY

Women tend to have higher levels of copper than men. Women also have more symptoms related to copper imbalance. These include yeast infections, migraine headaches, adult acne, various menstrual symptoms and depression.

Copper-toxic women are often estrogen dominant. They may benefit from progesterone therapy to help balance their hormones. Women with biounavailable copper are often low in estrogen. Their bodies are often more linear in shape. Of course, copper is not the only factor affecting hormones. Some pesticides, for example, mimic the effects of estrogen and can affect the hormone balance.

Men, by contrast, should be zinc-dominant. Zinc, a 'masculine' element, balances copper in the body, and is essential for male reproductive activity. Today, however, many men have symptoms of copper toxicity including depression, anxiety and other symptoms. Homosexuality may be related to copper levels.

COPPER AND CHILDREN

Children are often born with high copper levels. Young children are very sensitive and intuitive. They often lose some of their sensitivity and 'psychic abilities' as their copper levels diminish around age four.

Persistent elevated copper levels in children are common today. The problem often begins during gestation, when high-copper mothers pass on excessive copper (and often low zinc) to the fetus through the placenta. This is called congenital, rather than genetic high copper. It can be prevented by correcting one's copper metabolism before becoming pregnant. After birth, poor nutrition, stress in the home, and overuse of prescription drugs can aggravate a child's copper imbalance.

Copper imbalance in children is associated with delayed development, attention deficit disorder, anti-social and hyperactive behavior, autism, learning difficulties and infections such as ear infections.

VEGETARIAN DIETS

Excess copper interferes with zinc, a mineral needed to make digestive enzymes. Too much copper also impairs thyroid activity and the functioning of the liver. If severe enough, a person will become an obligatory vegetarian. This means they are no longer able to digest meat very well. Conversely, if one becomes a vegetarian for other reasons, most likely one's copper level will increase. Vegetarian proteins are higher in copper, and lower in zinc.

At times, the vegetarian orientation is health-producing. In many people, however, restricted diets do not work well. Fatigue, spaciness and other symptoms begin to appear. Many people, including the author, felt they were becoming more spiritual on a vegetarian diet, when in fact it was just copper poisoning! The taste for meat often returns when copper is brought into better balance.

Some people with high copper dislike all protein. They crave high-carbohydrate diets. Protein feels heavy or causes other symptoms. Eating protein stimulates glandular activity. This releases stored copper which causes the symptoms. However, these individuals usually need to eat protein. The symptoms will eventually disappear.

Copper-toxic individuals may also be drawn to sweets or salty foods due to adrenal insufficiency. Some sea salt is often beneficial. Sweets, including fruit juices, provide a temporary lift but may worsen the condition.

ADRENAL BURNOUT

Adrenal burnout, characterized by chronic fatigue and other symptoms, is often related to fear and copper imbalance. Although correcting emotional and other factors are necessary, improving the copper imbalance, supporting the adrenals and releasing fearful thoughts go hand in hand to restore optimum health.

COPPER AND ADDICTION

Compulsive behavior may be related to copper and the adrenals. Exercise, for example, stimulates the adrenals. This helps keep copper available and makes one feel better. If one stops exercising, unbound copper builds up and one may feel fatigue, mood swings and depression. In some people, this can create a compulsive need to exercise. Other ways to temporarily control copper toxicity include the use of caffeine or other stimulants.

Part of the appeal of cocaine, Ritalin and amphetamines may be their ability to help lower copper temporarily by stimulating the adrenals. Cadmium found in marijuana and cigarettes drives copper back into storage. These drugs may make one feel better by affecting the copper balance.

COPPER AND YEAST INFECTION

Our bodies use copper to help control the growth of yeast. This may be because copper favors aerobic metabolism. Copper is required for the electron transport system, where most of our cellular energy is produced. Yeast organisms use anaerobic metabolism.

Copper sulfate is often sprayed on crops to kill yeast and fungus. Copper is also used in some swimming pools and hot tubs to control yeast and bacterial growth.

When copper is out of balance, our bodies cannot control yeast overgrowth. This often led to chronic Candida albicans infections that are resistant to treatment.

DETECTING COPPER IMBALANCE

Blood, urine and even hair analysis may not reveal copper toxicity directly. Copper is stored mainly in the brain, liver and other organs, not in the blood or urine.

Challenge tests with a chelating agent such as EDTA may be used to detect excess copper. Several indirect indicators on a hair mineral test are also excellent to detect copper imbalance. These include a hair calcium level greater than about 100 mg%, a potassium level less than about 3 mg%, a sodium/potassium ratio less than 2.5:1, a zinc/copper ratio less than 6:1, an elevated mercury level or a copper level less than 1.0 mg%.

BALANCING COPPER

The author dealt with severe copper imbalance in himself and with many others for the past 18 years. Six methods are used to reduce copper in the tissues:

1) Reduce exposure to sources of copper.

2) Antagonists such as zinc, manganese and iron compete with copper for absorption and utilization. Vitamins B6 and folic acid may also be helpful. Selenium and cysteine may be helpful. Research indicates copper may be excreted by binding with glutathione and metallothionine which require these nutrients.

3) Chelators of copper include vitamin C, molybdenum and sulfur-containing amino acids. These bind and remove copper. More powerful chelators may be used, but can have side effects.

4) Enhance the eliminative organs, such as the liver, skin and colon.

5) Balance body chemistry, enhance energy production and improve adrenal gland activity. To support the adrenal glands, avoid sweets, eat protein with each meal, and supplement your diet with vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc and B-complex vitamins. Animal protein is very helpful due to its higher content of zinc, B-vitamins and sulfur amino acids including cysteine and taurine. Adrenal glandular substance is also frequently helpful.

6) Reduce fear and stress. Methods range from a change in location or work to meditation, therapy, more rest and other changes.

COPPER DETOXIFICATION SYMPTOMS

One of the difficulties in reducing excess copper are symptoms that arise during the process of elimination. As the body begins to mobilize excess copper from tissue storage sites, it enters the bloodstream on its way to the liver and kidneys for elimination. While in the bloodstream, the copper can cause headaches, skin rashes, racing thoughts, strange odors, digestive upset, mood swings and energy fluctuations. In men, testicular pain is not uncommon. Women's periods may be affected. If one knows what is occurring, it is possible to take measures to minimize these temporary elimination symptoms. Enemas, sweating, and drinking more water can help promote copper elimination. Reducing the nutrition program for a few days may also help slow the reactions and reduce symptoms if they are severe. Supplements particularly molybdenum, bile acids, laxative herbs and vitamin B6 may also mitigate elimination symptoms.

ATTITUDES TO HELP BALANCE COPPER

Adequate rest and sleep are important. Any technique to help handle stress is also helpful. A simple but powerful technique for handling all negative emotions is given in an excellent book, Emissary of Light, by James Twyman. He suggests feeling our negative emotions purely, dissociating them from thoughts. Feel them in the body. Then move the feeling to the heart area, visualize a small door just in front of you, open the door and release the emotion. Realize that all feelings are just energies. They can be transmuted, sent forth and used for good.

High copper people are often sensitive, must acknowledge this and 'live their own truth'. At the same time, a careful look at one's attitudes, especially hidden fears, angers and resentments, is very important. Overcoming copper imbalance often involves overcoming deep fears.

Life is not always easy for the copper-toxic person. There is a temptation to become resentful or depressed at times. With understanding, nutritional help and endless compassion for oneself, these obstacles can be overcome. Then the creative, intuitive and loving qualities of the high-copper individual can shine through to the world.

RESOURCES

1. Eck, P. and Wilson, L., Toxic Metals in Human Health and Disease, Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd., Phoenix, AZ, 1989.

2. Gittleman, A.L., Why Am I Always So Tired? Harper San Francisco, 1999.

3. Nolan, K., "Copper Toxicity Syndrome", J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 12:4, p.270-282.

4. Pfeiffer, Carl, MD, PhD, Mental and Elemental Nutrients, Keats Publishing, New Canaan, CT., 1975.

4. Twyman, James F., Emissary of Light, Warner Books, New York, 1996.

Most health problems are related to nutritional deficiencies.

Reply to Lisa.

04/08/2008: Lisa from Santa Fe, New Mexico writes: "I've read all your suggestions and thoughts about melasma. I must admit, this is the most feedback I've seen thus far! I too suffer from this disgusting patchy face look. I have it on my cheeks, forehead and upperlip just like most of you. I've tried creams, OTC and prescription, the only thing that faded was my money! I've tried Apple cider vinegar and currently trying a cream with "tepezcohuite" a mexican remedy. So far its been 3 days and I know I must give it some time, I wanted to wake up and see instant results but thats dreaming. I plan to give it 4-6 months of fair trying. I'll keep you posted on how its working for me. if all else fails, I'm interested in the hydrogen peroxide remedy. Has anybody heard about laser tx? I'm getting desperate that I'm thinking about that route. I'm at my wits end with melasma. I feel people are concentrating on my melasma rather than me"

My aunt had melasma. She started doing Kapalbhati pranayam and the melasma reduced within a few weeks and went away completely in a couple of months. In India, yoga master Ramdev Baba's style of doing kapalbhati Pranayam is the most popular. Here is the link to see how it is done:

http://knowyoga.org/tiki-index.php?page=Kapal Bhati Pranayam

If you do it, do write back in a month to let us all know if your melasma has faded. Good wishes! (I do kapalbhati everyday for other health benefits and like Ramdev Baba says, it seems to cure all problems.)

I have tried MSM powder with Vitamin C 1000mg daily to successfully clear Melasma on my cheeks.

Prior to this I tried many over the counter remedies with no or little results.

I would recommend this method if you want fast results:

1. 1 X 1000 mg capsule/tablet or 1/4 level teaspoon powder/crystals for 5 days with breakfast

2. 2 X 1000 mg capsule/tablet or 1/2 level teaspoon powder/crystals for 5 days with breakfast

3. 3 X 1000 mg capsule/tablet or 1 level teaspoon powder/crystals for 5 days with breakfast

But its best to start slow and work up to a steady dose and you can go up to 5 x 1000mg.

Some friends found that they were more comfortable increasing their dose at a much more steady rate than that outlined above and they may have taken a few months to reach their optimal dose. It is wise to not rush in order to allow the body to adjust properly.

Hope this helps someone!

i read in a book that swedish woman use horseradish on their faces to cure brown spots. I tried it and i will have to say it really worked. Not only did it take away brown spots instantly but it made my face glow and took away my sleep crease .definately give this a try i haven't heard anyone talking about horseradish but it works.Just get the kind at your local store that is crushed and put it on in a circular motion ,leave it on for a few minutes and rinse.

re: Melasma -- I have tried Triluma cream which did not work and it cost 100.00 dollars.of which my money was returned. It also depends on the color of your malasma. Is it gray or brown. I tried Asalax cream and Flora roberts for hypermentation at Carson Pirie Scott a department store in Chicago. Producta by Avon for hyperpementation and nothing worked. I wish someone could help fade this away. Some of the remedies you suggest are worth trying but where do you get them. You never say. Please write back.

I have started to use H202 on the brown sun spots on my left cheek after reading on Earth Clinic that it would fade them. Last night was the 2nd night. I took a cotton ball and soaked it in h202 and then held it to the area for about 15 minutes. Can report that after 2 nights they look like they are fading. Will report back.

I tried the Hydrogen Peroxide for Melasma: I've done 5 treatments, 20 minutes on the affected areas and it has substancially faded. I have it quite bad on forehead, cheek area, upper lip. I have also done the glycolic peels, Tri-Luma cream, etc. with no results. I am amazed this is working, and trying to determine if I can continue this to control the melasma.

I read Carries review of using the apple cider vinegar and MSM, in 4 short weeks I already see an improvment. Its odd because I just never thought it was something INTERNAL. Once I grasped that concept, it became less expensive, less invasive and I can FINALLY start to see improvement.

Answering Deborah from Albuquerque: I have stopped using the AC vinegar. I'm taking just the MSM and the Vitamin C. The process is going a little slower now but I'm going to keep taking it. It's gradual but effective and I'm looking at the bigger picture. In a year from now, my face will be better than it was. I realize it's hard because that's the way I feel at times-like I have a stained dirty face. Try MSM! Hope this helps.

Carrie from Mississauga, Canada, How has the apple cider been working for you? I hope well, I've also been tring the apple cider but no results yet I know I want a miracle overnight which will never happen. Is it still lighting your melasma? Was your melasma dark? Sorry so many questions but I've tried almost everything you can thing of. Some day I feel like an ugly duckling with this dirt looking stuff on my face. Hope to hear from you.

re: MSM/ ACV- Melasma Cure-Follow Up Answer to Grace. I'm glad you found the information helpful. I've only applied the ACV 4-5 times. I left it on my face for 15 minutes and then washed it off. If your skin reacted to it, don't use it anymore. When I used it, I found that by the next day, my face was not as red. As for sunblock, I wear it all the time; I don't go out without it anymore. Once you've taken the MSM for 3 months, let me know if you've noticed any changes. Just to let you know, other people noticed the subtle changes of my melasma before I did. Be patient and don't give up. Remember, try and include more antioxidants to your diet.

to Carrie from Mississauga, Canada. I would like to thank you so much for writing me back, it's a great help! God Bless You!! I'm taking MSM & Vitamin C since 01/25/08 and haven't seen any results yet. I also try to apply ACV but my skin got red end I got scared so I didn't apply it anymore. I believe it's because my skin is very sensitive for all the lotion that I have used in the past. Didn't your skin react to it since you have done the same thing? How did you apply it in the bigining and how many times anyways? Did You used creme and sun block after applying ACV? thanks again.Sorry about all this question. If you can contact me I'll appreciate it.

MSM- Answering back to Grace and Debbie.

First of all, I'd like you to know, that I understand how you feel. For me, melasma on my face, makes me feel very unattractive and very insecure. I got to a point where nothing was working for me so I started researching it on my own. By all means, my knowledge on melasma is limited and I researched and read quite a bit before I started taking MSM.

MSM is available in capsule, powder or crystal form. Make sure it's a pure brand. I myself take the capsule form. I take 3 capsules of MSM (1000 mg) everyday. When you take the MSM, take it after you have eaten and don't take all 3 at once. Take them throughout the day. Make sure you consult your GP before taking the MSM, especially if you are on any prescribed medication. Be cautious and don't mix without consulting a doctor first. You do not want it to interfere with other medications, like aspirin or blood pressure meds.

I also take 1 to 2 chewable vitamin C tablets (500 mg) a day.

As for the apple cider vinegar, I apply it once a week (if that). Once you wash it off, your face feels very soft. I don't use it that often any more. I've also increased my antioxidant intake. I eat everything from blueberries, kale (green veggies), and green tea, pomegranate (my favourite), red wine, etc... Since MSM (Methyl-Sulphonyl-Methane) is a powerful antioxidant, I thought I'd start eating a lot more antioxidant foods. All in all, my face is looking better and better. I honestly can't believe it. Maybe this is a result of everything combined; I really don't know. What I do know is that adding more antioxidants to my diet, can only help me in the long run. As for the MSM, it appears to be safe and non-toxic. MSM is also a very good mineral for healthy hair, skin, nails and joints. Good luck and don't give up. I started all this on December 3rd /07 and 2 months later my melasma has slowly disappeared. I'm feeling and looking happier everyday. Just remember, for some of us it may take longer; don't give up.

I do hope I've answered some of your questions.

To Carrie from Missassagua, Canada: How much MSM are you using? The crystals mixed in water? How many teaspoons per day? How much Vitamin C per day? Is it that you are applying Apple Cider Vinegar only at night? Sorry for all the questions! I'm so curious. I was recently in the Hospital for an infection and the nurse attending infiltrated an IV into my arm, and as a result I have some dark spots on both arms which really, really bother me. I've tried Dermadoctor's Immaculate Correction, Peter Thomas Roth's Potent Botanical cream and now Meladerm with little results. I just want these gone as soon as possible because the Hospital was traumatic enough... to look at hyperpigmented skin on both arms just makes me so sad.

to Carrie from Mississauga, Canada: I also suffer from melasma for about 5 years, and try everything too, and nothing works, I would like to know about how much of msm and vitamin c you take and how many times a day? and when you start seen results? I really appreciate if you answer me back. Thanks.

I have been suffering from melasma for about 4 years now. It's on my forehead,and both my cheeks. I have tried everything from bleaches, cosmelan to IPL. Everything is short term. Just as recent as December, 2007, I started taking MSM, vitamin C as well as applying apple cider vinegar on my face. The results are amazing. For the first time in 4 years I can actually say my face has improved and I don't mind going out without makeup. It's only been 6 weeks and I intend on using this remedy to see if it'll get even better. I do hope my experience and information sharing will help someone out there, that has melasma. Good luck!!