Friday Night Thoughts

Trying to get over a terrible cold... feeling better but cough is still kind of a nuisance.  As for my melasma, well, it's still with me.  It's a stubborn issue but I continue to use the Prevage Clarity with mixed results.  I think I see a slight, very slight, lightening on the upper lip, however, the rest of the areas are very much there and haven't changed.  I'll use the Prevage till it's gone...very expensive stuff.  I also purchased another peel by Skin Laboratory, Lactic Acid 50%, I was using the 35% and I think my skin will be able to tolerate the stronger level.  According to the information lactic acid works well on hyper-pigmentation.  The 35% seemed to have a few positive results, for instance, my pores appeared to diminish, however, not for long.  My skin felt softer and less dull...I didn't use it every 7 - 14 days as recommended, I used it about once a month so I plan to be a little more deliberate with the stronger level without going too crazy.  I'll report back...Thanks for stopping by.

Thinking of all the Brave Men & Women

On this Memorial Day weekend...  

Lets remember the brave men & women who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe...& their families, who gave us their sons & daughters so that we might sleep easier at night. 

A Big Thanks to all the men & women of the U.S. military who continue to give of themselves everyday to keep us safe here in this wonderful country we live in...AMERICA!  May you all return home soon, safe and sound, to your families and friends.  America loves you and is grateful everyday!

THANK YOU!

Just Another Thursday

Well here I am again and I've applied my makeup for the day.  The first step of course is cleansing, after cleansing my skin I apply the Prevage Clarity and a few minutes later apply a moisturizer and sunblock.  I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer liquid, broad spectrum uva-uvb, SPF 70 but that's because I want extra protection from the sun.  I've heard that a sunblock with SPF 30 is just fine.  I wear foundation and setting powder every day.  Believe me, a few years ago before the Melasma, there was no way I would wear the stuff every day.  I do not like it at all.  I will not leave the house without makeup and I'm not brave enough to attempt it either.  I use a liquid foundation by Clinique called "even better" with an SPF 15 followed by a concealer on the dark areas and DermaBlend setting powder to finish.  I've noticed that if I use a little peach-colored blush on my upper lip, just lightly over the setting powder, it diminishes the Melasma mark on that area.  I also found a helpful instructional video on how to apply makeup to diminish the appearance of Melasma.  Take a look...thanks for stopping by.

 

Still at It!

That is...still fighting it!  Yes! The Melasma.  I've been away for a while, personal family issues have kept me from blogging in the last few weeks but I'm back and still continue to treat my Melasma.  On 1 April, I purchased and started using PREVAGE, Clarity.  Not cheap, that's for sure, but I thought I'd give it a try.  According to the information, PREVAGE, Clarity is a targeted skin tone corrector.  I've been using it religiously, every night for the last four (4) weeks, after cleansing my face right before going to bed.  I can't say with certainty, but I believe I've seen a very small improvement in the dark areas over the upper lip and the forehead.  I'll continue to use it until it's all gone, however, the improvements should be more noticeable, according to the PREVAGE regiment information, at about the 12th week of use.  We'll see.  I'll keep you all posted.  Oh that's right, no one is reading this.  Either way, thanks for stopping by and have a great day!   

One Look in the Mirror

I just caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror and became depressed all over again.  I know, I  know... we have to give this time.  Melasma just doesn't miraculously disappear over night, but boy I wish it would.  I'm so tired of feeling low about myself.  I didn't exactly start out with the highest confidence level.  And then I think, you know, there are people all over the world going through horrible, unspeakable, devastating situations, and I'm boohooing about some blotches on my face.  I should be ashamed of myself.  And I am, but boy, just one look in the mirror....Thanks for stopping by. 

What to Do, What to Use, What to Purchase...

Lets face it, there are hundreds of products and companies out there working full-time at attracting customers, consumers, buyers, and shoppers; and of course it all means the same thing.  They want you to buy, purchase, or invest, in whatever it is they're selling.  I've been and still am one of those individuals, a customer.  The only difference is that when you are looking to find a Melasma treatment that works and that you trust, it's very difficult not to be taken in because you hope that, that product will be the one, the creams, peels, lasers, etc., that will work for you.  I've been there and still looking.  I am currently using an at-home peel.  I'm doing this because I want to keep the control.  I do not want, at this time, to hand the control over to someone else.  I admit I am having trust issues due to what happened to me with the professional laser treatments by a doctor.  So for now, I think I'll keep doing the peels at home and I'll see what happens.  I will report on how I'm doing soon.  In the meantime, I'll continue to treat my skin very delicately, use lots of sunscreen everyday, and continue to search for the best foundation and coverage.  Thanks for stopping by.       

If at First You Don't Succeed...Don't Ever Give Up!

For the last two-plus years I've been on a mission to learn about Melasma, its causes, its treatments, and its psychological effect on women like myself.  I work outside of the home, so when I first noticed how badly my Melasma was getting I began to read everything I could find on the subject.  I also began to look for the perfect treatment, or any treatment that could possibly have any chance of working...especially after the horrible experience with lasers.  Sorry to say...I haven't been that successful, at least not yet.  I've tried so many things.  And just like many of the posts, from women like myself, on other skin care forums, I have reported back to the other posters, what I was using, what I heard might work from someone who heard that a friend had tried and saw some improvement, to words of encouragement to keep trying, and the promise of reporting back as soon as I found THE cure.  I'm sure that not one of those posters wouldn't have jumped at the chance to report "good news at last, I found THE cure!"  Because each and everyone one of us would love to be able to find a treatment that worked and share that with all those who were suffering with Melasma.  So with that in mind, I will also continue to report on everything I am currently using, what I've used in the past that did not work but might work for someone else, and what I thought worked but was all wishful thinking.  Love to hear from all of you.  Thanks for stopping by.   

Equal Opportunity Destroyer

About two weeks ago I found a 2009 video clip of Brooke Burke on the TV show "The Doctors."  Interestingly enough, they were discussing Melasma.  Now, many of you may know who Brooke Burke is but I have to admit I didn't.  In any case, for those of you out there who don't know her, she's a model and TV personality.  Brooke is a gorgeous woman, has modeled for many magazines, and has been on various TV shows.  Well, she was on "The Doctors" talking about her nine-year struggle with Melasma.  For the rest of us, who are not on TV or magazines, we are still in the public eye.  We're at work, at the supermarket, with the kids, at play dates, at school events, going out with friends, etc.  You name it and we're all doing it...out in the real world.  For all to see.  So, this condition doesn't discriminate, it is an equal opportunity destroyer.  It can take us down, if we let it...or we can find a way to continue living a positive and active life.  A little tender loving care for our skin is the key....tell us how you've been managing Melasma. Thanks for stopping by.      

From Not so Bad to Oh No!

As I indicated in my earlier posts, Melasma has been with me over two years.  Unlike most women, I did not develop Melasma during pregnancy, chloasma, or the "pregnancy mask" as it's also known, I wasn't on the pill either, and I've never been a sun worshiper, I'm naturally tanned, and also my mother always told my sister and me, "stay out of the sun or you'll wrinkle early!"  So the only other reason is the exacerbation of a mild case of Melasma from the laser treatments.  I do believe the laser treatments made a mild case worse, possibly due to the irritation caused by the laser.  I'm not a doctor, I don't know.  However, what I do know is that many women on various skin care forums have commented on the same issue...,they've opted for laser treatments for a few brown spots or patches on their face and noticed a major worsening of their hyper-pigmentation.  Thoughts, ideas, comments?  Thanks for stopping by.        

The Beginning

About two and a half years ago I noticed a small, dime-sized, brown spot on my forehead.  Then I noticed another small brown spot on my upper lip.  I wasn't concerned and it remained the same for sometime.  It didn't appear to get any worse or any better.  I used several OTC topical skin lightening creams.  I thought I saw some improvement but it was easy to cover up with make-up.  The truth is that I still went out without any make-up and didn't think about it much.  However, when I saw a well known cosmetic surgeon from my area of town on the local news discussing hyper-pigmentation and the variety of treatments available, for women-of-color, I decided to give it a try.  I also thought that attacking the spots and maybe some of freckles I had at the time would be proactive on my part and beneficial.  Wrong!  I went for a consultation and liked and believed what I heard.  There were eight series of laser treatments and all were very expensive.  That, coupled with the topical creams and potions he prescribed, I spent almost 5K, if not more, for the whole thing.  What I started to notice was a gradual spreading of the brown spots on my forehead turning to a larger brown patch and then the brown spot on my upper lip spread across the entire upper lip area.  Fast-forward two+ years, I ended up with the map of China on my forehead and a full mustache-looking patch on my upper lip.  That, ladies and gents, was how I became the most despondent and emotionally lowest I have ever been.  I have to say, that I am no great beauty, never have been, but I was no bride of Frankenstein either, however, I had manageable skin issues. I had some break-outs every now and then.  I also have freckles; my skin has yellowish undertones and I'm of Latin descent.  But with a little make-up, applied the right way, I looked nice.  What has happened in the last few years has been devastating.  I know it is a cosmetic issue and not a serious illness but when you are the one going through it, like I said before, it's a real blow to the psyche and self-esteem every time I have to go out in public and like most of us, that is every single day.  I do, however, plan to make this experience a learning and teaching moment for myself and others out there that are going through the same ordeal.  Thanks for stopping by.            

Welcome...

ladies and gents, yes, gents too.  Chances are that if you searched for the word "melasma" and ended up on this site it's because of one of two things...1-you're writing a research paper for your psychology class on conditions that negatively effect human self-esteem and confidence, or 2-you're probably suffering from the same issue I have been living with for the last two years.  MELASMA!  Yes, that dreaded skin condition, which is not a disease, but makes you feel like you have one.  Unfortunately, the problem is not only stubborn to treat it also lingers for what seems to be an eternity.  As you all know, the restrictions are just as extensive as the treatments.  But we'll get to all of that soon enough.  I just wanted to stop suffering in silence, put it all out there, and reach out to everyone who is currently suffering from this problem.  Believe me, and you probably already know this, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  So lets give each other some moral support and share the good, the bad, and the not so pretty details of this issue.  All are welcome and encouraged to participate and share.  Success stories are also welcome.  Thanks for stopping by.