Melasma--anything good to make it less noticable?

[Kansaseq]

So I'm a 41 yr old, fair-skinned blond, on birth control--need it to regulate my cycle. Anyway, I've noticed in the past 5 years since I started commuting, that I've got some brown pigment on my skin. First was by my hairline, not terribly noticeable, but recently, it's popping up all over my face, and I don't like it! I've switched to Neutrogena spf 50 moisturizer, which I wear under my Bare Minearals foundation every day. I also wear big sunglasses when out in the sun, shade my face with the visor when I can, etc. At night, I use either Neutrogena Healthy Skin with retionol, or prescription Renova. I exfoliate every day.
I've started using a 'fade' cream to bleach the worst of the spots, but they are starting to come in all over. None are very dark, but is there anything I can do to stop them? Has anyone ever tried one of those products for 'hormonal aging'?

This getting older crap stinks! My brain feels about 20, but my body says otherwise--what a raw deal!

 

[sonew123]

Oh Sister Im with yah! It started happening to me about 2 years ago-I have alot on my face and stuff-I havent used any bleaching products for fear it will make white spots on my darker skin! Id be interested if others pips in with a great product to use I just use oil of olay with 15 SPF-oh and foundation to try and even out all the different tones in my facial skin

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm just waiting for all the dark spots to merge so I'll look like I have a gorgeous tan...

Sorry, I'm just trying to learn to gracefully accept my aging, but am failing miserably

 

[Kansaseq]

Murad! That is the name of the stuff for 'hormonal' aging. Anyone use it?
Aging gracefully is ok, I guess, but if I can stave it off without surgery, I'll do it. People are surprised when I tell them my age. I'd like to keep it that way!

 

[windtryst]

Make an appointment with a Dermatologist, they will get you something to take care of it. I think I used Retin A.
Getting old is no fun...the big 60 is this year

 

[Xodrana]

Getting older beats the alternative. Being old sucks. 41 is not old. Hugs and good wishes to you.

 

[Kansaseq]

Thanks, everyone!

 

[ilovechickensmore]

you can try Metaderm. that could be melasma. it is characterized by unnatural brown patches. metaderm is a skin lightening cream. it can also be used for dark and age spots. good luck!

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

You are right to be using a broad spectrum sunscreen to try to prevent more damage. Really is going to depend on if you actually have melasma or lentigines (brown spots/age spots). For lentigines, the renova pr retinol (both vitamin a derivatives-renova being a higher potency) will usually minimize the appearance and you should notice fading after approx 16wk of constant use. You can get a higher strength tretinoin if the renova isn't making a difference. For melasma, there is a topical med called hydroquinone that will bleach the spots- it is a spot treat only (as compared with the tretinoin which is all over face). Any of the products will be for long-standing use.
There are more aggressive measures you could take like lasering or intense pulsed light but usually topical treatments are first tried.

Best

 

[Kansaseq]

I should update

I got the Murad skin lightening lotion, and it worked great. Takes time,but it did lighten my melasma and ugly sun spots/blotches so they are no longer noticable. However, I've also delved into the world of chemical peels. I started out with a low grade lactic acid, which is really good for skin lightening and brightening, moved up to a low % glycolic, and have been doing that for the past month. I did tons of reading first, so I knew what I was getting into. The sight I buy from has very good direction, and if you follow them explicitly, it's fairly safe. You also absolutely HAVE to wear a good sunscreen after peeling, because your skin is far more photosensitive and vulnerable, for months. I'm now wearing Neutrogena Face Shield 110 spf.