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.