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Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:23 pm  |
I really need some help/feeback!
I developed Melasma 8 years ago toward the end of my pregnancy, it went away while nursing, then came back.
I tried Obagi with limited success a number of years ago- meaning it seemed to work but I was so flushed and red all the time (basically gave me rosacea) that I had to stop using it and treat the redness.
I have flipped around with different products, read online about estrogen dominance and try to limit my exposure as best as possible to xenoestrogens.
BUT I am SO SO sick and tired of wearing a hat everywhere I go, staying inside on nice days because I am "afraid" of the sun, I just can't stand it!!! And the thing is, doing THAT doesn't even work- I still have it.
It is really getting me down right now. I am dating someone who wants to go to Hawaii on a vacation in the fall and I start to feel myself get panicky about being in that much sun!
I am taking MSM, Vit c, Grapefruit seed extract.
I need something that works and that is not too toxic.
Please help! |
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Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:24 pm |
The only thing that has worked for me is Vivite Vibrance and a great sunscreen.
The Vivite Vibrance took about 2 months to lighten my spots...the only negative was that it made my fair skin quite red when using it every day. I recently tried Lumixyl and did not see enough improvement, so now I am back to using the Vibrance every other day. |
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No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:40 pm |
| Can I ask, what is your skin care routine right now? What products are you using? I'd just like to know what kind of skincare you've tried before I recommend anything... |
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Whatever you do, do it with passion and conviction...even if it means spending a couple hundred on something you want but don't need! |
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Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:16 pm |
Thanks for the suggestion of the Vivite Vibrance!
Currently:
-keys cleanser (just a basic cleanser), alternerate now with Donnell skin lightening cleanser (can look up Donnell skin products on EDS)
-sunscreen is 'burnout' physical sunscreen
-I was using environ products- really great products- vit C, antioxidant gel, and the Environ retinol product at night (can't use retin-a, makes my face too red)
- now have swtiched to Donnell skin lightening serum and sort of alternate between the two |
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Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:39 pm |
Hi Lily,
Would you be willing to try Obagi Nuderm again? It's the only product(s) that have truly worked on my hyperpigmentation. I know that Obagi is not an easy course and initially results in red, irritated, and peeling skin (not fun!!) especially in the first 6-12 weeks, but eventually the skin acclimates.
I've been on maintenance since Oct. '09 and have been able to maintain my results after doing Nuderm for around 24 weeks.
I know it's a rough road, but for me, it has been totally worth it. |
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50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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Tue Aug 10, 2010 10:15 pm |
I couldn't handle Nuderm, darn it. 
NuDerm is definitely the go to product line for hyperpigmentation if you don't have issues with HQ. But I personally wouldn't do NuDerm before you go to Hawaii, as you'll be far more sensitive to the sun. But maybe after? |
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No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:36 pm |
I wouldn't touch NuDerm again ever! I used it for a long enough time- must have been a year? It worked but even after the dry/peeling phase, my face was a shade of red that looked really weird.
Using it caused me to have rosacea and it took A LONG time after I stopped using Obagi for that to calm down. I flushed for a couple YEARS after I stopped using it in the afternoon/early evening- TOTAL NIGHTMARE. I think living with the melasma is better than that actually as my melasma is frustrating but not severe. |
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Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:39 pm |
I wouldn't touch NuDerm again ever! I used it for a long enough time- must have been a year? It worked but even after the dry/peeling phase, my face was a shade of red that looked really weird.
Using it caused me to have rosacea and it took A LONG time after I stopped using Obagi for that to calm down. I flushed for a couple YEARS after I stopped using it in the afternoon/early evening- TOTAL NIGHTMARE. I think living with the melasma is better than that actually as my melasma is frustrating but not severe. |
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Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:50 pm |
| lily wrote: |
I wouldn't touch NuDerm again ever! I used it for a long enough time- must have been a year? It worked but even after the dry/peeling phase, my face was a shade of red that looked really weird.
Using it caused me to have rosacea and it took A LONG time after I stopped using Obagi for that to calm down. I flushed for a couple YEARS after I stopped using it in the afternoon/early evening- TOTAL NIGHTMARE. I think living with the melasma is better than that actually as my melasma is frustrating but not severe. |
How about just trying the Hydroquinone? The Exfoderm is what makes the majority of people very red when on Nu Derm. Since you don't want to use Retin A, maybe just try a generic Hydroquinone or Triluma? If you have rosacea, though, almost anything harsh is going to flare that up, unfortunately. |
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Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:09 pm |
Personally, I would never again use HQ to treat melasma. It came back when I stopped, and my skin was that much more sensitive to the sun...melasma is such a pain in the you-know-where. I have it too - 6 years now and I've come to the conclusion that no topical will ever work completely b/c this is an internal condition that manfests itself (lucky us) on our faces. Someone needs to research and come up with the common link in all of us that have it...Some respond to anti-fungals like GFSE - some respond to sulfer like MSM - I didn't have luck with either of them. I think the only way to rid melasma is to balance whatever the heck is going on with our hormones....estrogen plays a huge role and I believe mine started b/c I started losing progesterone when I went into peri-menopause - I became estrogen dominant and I think that wreaked havoc on my skin... I say go to Hawaii and have a blast...I have found that no matter how much sun avoidanace I practiced, my melasma spread anyway, so I got a "screw it" attitde and just lived my life. I do use Illuminaire Lidquid Mineral Foundation annd that covers nicely. Lately I've been just being gentle with my skin - nnothing harsh anywmore, and it's actally improving. Internally, I take a daily multi, flax/omega combo, and a Zincs supplment which I did hear can help the liverproces toxins and help rid the skin othis stuff. The only other supplement I take is a Pycnogenol/GrapeSeed exract tablet. AGain, I read that Pycnogeneol is effective at treating this. The skincarerx site has a great melasma forum, as does melacor.net. They've been my saving grace on the days that 've been so down about my face.
I do know exactly what you're going through and how you feel.
Maria |
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Maria, early 50's, post meno, normal to dry skin, more dry in winter, some sun damage... |
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Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:53 am |
| maybe you can try triluma. or ask the doctor if you can use it and how to use. and know which is the side effects and insist it. |
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Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:56 am |
| bethany wrote: |
The only thing that has worked for me is Vivite Vibrance and a great sunscreen.
The Vivite Vibrance took about 2 months to lighten my spots...the only negative was that it made my fair skin quite red when using it every day. I recently tried Lumixyl and did not see enough improvement, so now I am back to using the Vibrance every other day. |
Can you tell me how you fit in the vivite into your skin routine for the first 2 months. I'm trying to revamp my routine a little .. At the moment I am using a cleanser, vit c and sunscreen in a.m. I use retin a and obagi night cream from the c-line..I switch these two every other night..
thanks..Lou |
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Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:00 am |
| Loumomofthree wrote: |
| bethany wrote: |
The only thing that has worked for me is Vivite Vibrance and a great sunscreen.
The Vivite Vibrance took about 2 months to lighten my spots...the only negative was that it made my fair skin quite red when using it every day. I recently tried Lumixyl and did not see enough improvement, so now I am back to using the Vibrance every other day. |
Can you tell me how you fit in the vivite into your skin routine for the first 2 months. I'm trying to revamp my routine a little .. At the moment I am using a cleanser, vit c and sunscreen in a.m. I use retin a and obagi night cream from the c-line..I switch these two every other night..
thanks..Lou |
You can't use Vivite at the same time as any product containing retinol (check the Obago night cream) or the Retin A.
So in your case you would just use the Vivite in the morning, over the Vit C if it is a serum (it may help your C penetrate better too). OR you could start off by using the Vivite 2x a day to kick start the lightening, and stop using the Retin A/retinol for 4-6 weeks. Then go back to your regular routine, using Vivite only in the morning. |
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No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:00 pm |
| Whats helping for skin is sunscreen, HQ/RA with glycolic acid and internal detox |
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Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:58 pm |
| bethany wrote: |
The only thing that has worked for me is Vivite Vibrance and a great sunscreen.
The Vivite Vibrance took about 2 months to lighten my spots...the only negative was that it made my fair skin quite red when using it every day. I recently tried Lumixyl and did not see enough improvement, so now I am back to using the Vibrance every other day. |
So if you stop using it, does the discoloration come back? |
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Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:46 pm |
| Coconut wrote: |
| bethany wrote: |
The only thing that has worked for me is Vivite Vibrance and a great sunscreen.
The Vivite Vibrance took about 2 months to lighten my spots...the only negative was that it made my fair skin quite red when using it every day. I recently tried Lumixyl and did not see enough improvement, so now I am back to using the Vibrance every other day. |
So if you stop using it, does the discoloration come back? |
Mine did come back, but I attributed that to not wearing sunscreen regularly.  |
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No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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