Replied by Gratitude (Northeast, Usa) on 12/16/2014

I also have/had very dark melasma on both cheeks from cheekbones all the way down to and along jaws, top of chest, and on one shoulder. I've tried many natural remedies but by far the best is using lemon juice and sugar.

Use a washcloth or I use one of those small face scrubbie pads. Dampen it with warm water, then pour alot of lemon juice on it then pour some sugar (I use organic) on top. Gently scrub face and concentrate on melasma areas. Firm enough but not too hard since we don't want to damage skin. I did this nightly.

It took a month or two but my hyperpigmentation has lightened up considerably! About 90% lighter on one cheek and maybe 70% on other more stubborn side. Still, for me, that is a blessing. I don't believe in sunscreens but I do now wear wide brim hats when outdoors.

There are also many other natural remedies on this site under the Melasma section.

Good luck, Gratitude

Replied by Somehope (Northeast Usa) on 01/05/2015

Are you still having success with the lemon juice and sugar? Do you leave it on over night or rinse it off? Also, have you tried any other treatment, ie. Hydroquinone or Tri-luma. How long have you had melasma? I look forward to hearing from you.

Replied by Gratitude (Northeast, Usa) on 01/07/2015

In looking back, I got 2 dime-sized circles on my cheekbones about 10 yrs ago and it slowly got worse. About 4 to 6 yrs ago is when it spread so much and became so dark (undiagnosed thyroid problems). But I was having severe health issues beginning 6 yrs ago, so the melasma just wasn't important until things began improving (its been a long haul to say the least).

No, I've not tried Hydroquinone or Tri-luma since I read just as many negative stories as well as beneficial. So I wanted to stick with truly natural remedies and being sick I need to be careful what I put on and in my body:) I began with Hydrogen Peroxdie - 3% from drugstore. Applying morning and evening everyday for a week. It was beginning to work but I started to worry about long term useage so stopped.

The lemon juice and sugar scrub has continued to work for me. The one side is now at about 95% gone....hardly noticable at all. The stubborn cheek is now improved to about 85% and is no longer on jaw area. And since having so much luck with this method, I've slowed down to using it only about 3 times per week now. I'm confident it will all be gone at some point soon!

After using the lemon juice/sugar scrub, I rinse. There might be a little stinging at first but nothing too bad unless you have very sensitive skin. I've never kept lemon juice on all night so I can't advice about that. There was also good reviews about B3/Niacinamide applied topically to lighten melasma but I haven't tried since the lemon juice/sugar scrub has worked so amazingly! My hyperpigmentation was so dark it showed through makeup and was embarrassing so I'm very thankful:)

Do a search online for lemon juice in images and you can see many before and after photos. Good luck to you!

BTW Great Lakes regions are well known for thryoid problems due to iodine deficiencides, which can then cause melasma/hyperpigmentation. Iodine protocol plus high amounts of SSKI have been miraculous for my thyroid and after 2 1/2 yrs of taking all this, the goiter/swelling is gone and even my thyroid nodule is shrinking. I thank God for leading me to natural remedies and places like EC:)

Replied by Ayomi (London) on 05/01/2023