Who knows what Medication you can take to reduce melanin?
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free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 1:58 pm

My sister said her derm gave her meds to take twice a day 2 caps each time and it helps to lighten her spots keeping her face spot free since it blocks melanin production. I tried to ask her what meds will do that but she said her derm won't tell her since he didn't want her to go buy it somewhere else. Does anyone know of what meds can block melanin production?

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 3:01 pm

Glucosamine would be my guess as the active ingredient;

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-06/msl-sfn063006.php

Chances are the 2 capsules a day are nothing more than the "Glucosamine + Condroiton" supplement available everywhere.

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 3:11 pm

OMG if that's the case, I should be protected. I take that every day with my coffee. I use 1/2 tsp. That would be a nice unexpected side benefit. I use it for joint pain.

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 3:36 pm

Bira wrote:

OMG if that's the case, I should be protected. I take that every day with my coffee. I use 1/2 tsp. That would be a nice unexpected side benefit. I use it for joint pain.

Me too, it really helps the dreaded arthritis..

Oh, and niacinamide and kukui oil applied topically also help to fade hyperpigmentation.. You can get it at skinactives.com and just add some to whatever you are using. They have topical glucosamine also. (I don't recommend the supplement for application on your skin, because of the fillers.)

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 3:58 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

Bira wrote:

OMG if that's the case, I should be protected. I take that every day with my coffee. I use 1/2 tsp. That would be a nice unexpected side benefit. I use it for joint pain.

Me too, it really helps the dreaded arthritis..

Oh, and niacinamide and kukui oil applied topically also help to fade hyperpigmentation.. You can get it at skinactives.com and just add some to whatever you are using. They have topical glucosamine also. (I don't recommend the supplement for application on your skin, because of the fillers.)

I think I will add them to my pearl cream. Very Happy

Thanks again Kass.

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 4:31 pm

Is it normal that skinactives charges $6 for shipping even for a very light item?

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 4:50 pm

Ok, I found that GOW charges a lot less for niacinamide and for more of it. Their shipping is also cheaper.

Does anyone know if glucosamine sulfate powder is the same as n-acetyl glucosamine?

I bought the Source Naturals Glucosamine Sulfate Powder from vitacost. I also just tried searching for the difference between that one and the n-acetyl one. It seems like they're saying that the glucosamine sulfate is better. Is it correct?

free skin care · Mon May 11, 2009 5:38 pm

I bought the niacinamide powder (1 oz) from GOW for $4.75 plus $3.25 shipping. Not bad considering that I'd pay $6 shipping alone if buoght from skinactives and that's for only 5 grams, which is only 0.33 oz.

I would still like to hear about the medication, if anyone knows. My sister said it really helps her and it works. It costs her $16 for a one-month supply (2 caps each time, and twice a day). She also said that IPL helps her get rid of her spots. That together with the medication taken internally is what did the trick for her.

free skin care · Tue May 12, 2009 9:05 am

Bira wrote:

I tried to ask her what meds will do that but she said her derm won't tell her since he didn't want her to go buy it somewhere else.

If a derm declined to tell me what treatment I'd been given, I'd decline to pay their bill. Simple. But that's just me Laughing

Seriously though, most countries have some kind of regulation in place prohibiting medical practitioners dispensing unlabelled drugs -- even if it's not a "drug", there are very good reasons for proper labelling of any treatment dispensed. I'm sure the local medical board would take a dim view of a doc dispensing unlabelled pills and refusing to inform a patient what treatment she was receiving ... not to mention it's just plain rude and arrogant!

Sorry to say this, Bira, but it sounds like the derm in question may be putting his own financial interests before the interests of the patient, your sister. Not a good quality in a doctor...

free skin care · Tue May 12, 2009 10:42 am

appletini wrote:

If a derm declined to tell me what treatment I'd been given, I'd decline to pay their bill. Simple. But that's just me Laughing

Seriously though, most countries have some kind of regulation in place prohibiting medical practitioners dispensing unlabelled drugs -- even if it's not a "drug", there are very good reasons for proper labelling of any treatment dispensed. I'm sure the local medical board would take a dim view of a doc dispensing unlabelled pills and refusing to inform a patient what treatment she was receiving ... not to mention it's just plain rude and arrogant!

Sorry to say this, Bira, but it sounds like the derm in question may be putting his own financial interests before the interests of the patient, your sister. Not a good quality in a doctor...

I absolutely agree! The patient NEEDS to know what she's taking because she could be taking some other drugs that could interact with whatever the doctor is giving her, or God knows what.

I honestly find that attitude quite antiethical and I would definitely swith dermatologists!

free skin care · Tue May 12, 2009 11:52 am

Bira wrote:

I would still like to hear about the medication, if anyone knows.

I was hoping you would just be happy with topical applications which help to fade spots over time, and discourage new ones.. Vitamin C Serum, Glucosamine, Niacinamide + Kukui Oil, all *help* in that regard..

There is serious "medications" to halt/stop melanin production, but is best used sparingly and under a DR's supervision for say, 'Vitiligo'. Also realize that it is not approved by the FDA, has not been tested on humans or mammals and I don't believe it's available in the US altogether.. But when someone wants to get there hands on it, there is always a way -- think Michael Jackson, and a few other celebs who are mysteriously getting lighter..

Here's the big problem though.. It does not discriminate *which* melanin to keep, and which melanin to get rid of. Therefore it stops melanin production throughout the body.. So what you say? Well here's what; melanin is in our eyes, brain stem, inner ears + throughout the endocrine system. It is also plays a part in the mechanism responsible for producing adrenaline, amino acids like cysteine and L-Dopa... In short, it plays a part in all the things that keep our organs and nervous system alive and well.

Now it's up to you to weigh it all out. Does vanity win out at all cost, or will you take the slow and steady safe way?

With all that said though, I am still of the opinion that what your sister received from the Doc is more like a Glucosamine supplement.. The price you quoted above would not come close to covering the real thing.. But more importantly, a Dr (or Nurse Practitioner) cannot dispense prescription meds to patients in *secret*. That is especially the case when serious side effects are likely.

Because I have a medical background, I feel it would be irresponsible of me to list the medication (so I won't)... But what I would suggest, is that you do a google on the contraindications associated with meds that interfere with or stop melanin production.

HTH!

free skin care · Thu May 14, 2009 1:14 pm

I didn't quite think of it the way you girls put so eloquently, so yes, I agree with you all. It's not a good idea to take meds without knowing what it is, and if it will interfere with other meds you're already taking. (In my case, I'm not taking any but that is quite besides the point.)

Kass, you're always a voice of wisdom and reason.

By the way, Kass, do you know if I could use the Glucosamine Sulfate powder that I take internally (no filler - it's not in a capsule form but rather it's in powder form) by adding it to a cream along with niacinamide that I bought from GOW? Or does it have to be the N-acetyl Glucosamine form?

Thanks everyone.

free skin care · Sun May 17, 2009 6:19 pm

Bumpity bump bump bumping for Kassy Smile

Bira wrote:

...

Kass, you're always a voice of wisdom and reason.

By the way, Kass, do you know if I could use the Glucosamine Sulfate powder that I take internally (no filler - it's not in a capsule form but rather it's in powder form) by adding it to a cream along with niacinamide that I bought from GOW? Or does it have to be the N-acetyl Glucosamine form?

Thanks everyone.

free skin care · Mon May 18, 2009 8:53 am

pumpingmummy wrote:

Bumpity bump bump bumping for Kassy Smile

Bira wrote:

...

Kass, you're always a voice of wisdom and reason.

By the way, Kass, do you know if I could use the Glucosamine Sulfate powder that I take internally (no filler - it's not in a capsule form but rather it's in powder form) by adding it to a cream along with niacinamide that I bought from GOW? Or does it have to be the N-acetyl Glucosamine form?

Thanks everyone.

You guys give me way too much credit ... Embarassed

The only problem I think with something that's meant to be a supplement, is that it usually has fillers in it..

My suggestion would be to drop a tsp of the powder into a glass of cold water.. If it dissolves fully and quickly it probably doesn't have fillers, and is suitable to use in a cream or serum.. (If it doesn't dissolve fully, it will be the 'fillers' that are the culprit). This is only my guess though!

Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:08 pm

Hello All,

I have tried IPL, all types of creams and other lasers - combo laser spot treatments. I am dying to have some feedback on what I can take orally or what I can make at home or what I can buy.

I see a very good derm in Century City and we are at the point of doing a cream that is used for pre-cancerous cells as a full peeling process, but I would look horrific at work for about 8 weeks, but I am close to doing it.

Can anyone give feedback.

free skin care · Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:17 pm

lapilates wrote:

Hello All,

I have tried IPL, all types of creams and other lasers - combo laser spot treatments. I am dying to have some feedback on what I can take orally or what I can make at home or what I can buy.

I see a very good derm in Century City and we are at the point of doing a cream that is used for pre-cancerous cells as a full peeling process, but I would look horrific at work for about 8 weeks, but I am close to doing it.

Can anyone give feedback.

I have melasma that I've treated with Obagi Nu Derm and that wiped it out but about 50% came back when I went off hydroquinone (HQ). So I started taking MSM, pycnogenol and Heliocare as well as being vigilant about sunscreen reapplication and wearing hats and sunglasses. I go on HQ every few months (one bottle of Obagi Blender) and then take three months off. Also use Vitamin C serum, azaleic acid, and tretinoin 0.1% to help lighten/prevent hyperpigmentation.

I am outdoors a lot and find I have about 20% of the original melasma patches so some supplement must be working.

free skin care · Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:49 am

Lapilates: I use a cream called Curaderm made from
eggplant skins. It is likely what you are referring to as it was developed for precancerous grows. It works well. You do need to be careful because it does eat away at certain types of spots/growths so if you put a barrier on it (like a bandaid) it could give a sore spot and some say they get scarring. If you do not cover it however it will not do that. I have used it for several years and really like it.

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