Has anyone else ever experienced what I have gone through? After my second daughter I started noticing that my upper lip area was starting to look brown. I found out that it is called Melasma (mask of pregnancy). I felt so upset about it because it was noticeable without make up and not too bad with make up. Well then after my third pregnancy it got darker and a small patch appeared on my forehead right between my brows. I have tried the fruit acid chemical peels & bleaching creams - they didn't help and I am currently going to a plastic surgeons office seeing the skin care specialists and having the laser done on my face. It is basically a controlled burn that is suppose to lighten my brown spots after 3 to 6 treatments. I have only had two but haven't noticed a bit of difference. It costs $150.00 each treatment. I am having my third treatment done today. I am trying to be patient with the procedure but i am worried this won't work either. Have you experienced this and if so, what kind of treatment did you use and did it work? See I wear makeup every where and I like the way my face feels without makeup but I don't want people to notice the small brown spots. I am frustrated.

By Amecmom on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 08:14 am:

I'm going through it now. I can't do anything much for it because I'm expecting. Before that, I used Tri-Luma (script), which was helpful.
There's another product that I got at a salon. I can't remember the brand, but the product was called Pigment Relief. It worked very well, and I used it when I was expecting my son.

What's working for me now is cortisone cream, and sunscreen. These spots get darker in sunlight, so if you don't wear sunscreen they just get darker.

Mary Kay makes a product which did not work for me, it just made my skin peel.

Good luck. It's no fun having these brown patches.
Ame

By Children03 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 08:31 am:

So you think that Tri-Luma helped? I am thinking about going back to my dermatologist and asking him about Retin-A. I have used it before for acne when I was younger and it was great stuff. I read an article that says it helps with mask of pregnancy if you apply it over the entire face at bedtime. Thanks.

By Amecmom on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 05:51 pm:

Yes. Tri-Luma did help. I've also heard about Retin-A, but I have no experience with it for melasma. For acne, it dried out my skin way too much.
Ame

By Pamt on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 12:51 am:

I have melasma from my pregnancies and years of bc pills. Mine has faded a little since going off of bc several months ago. I used Retin-A as a teenager and it really hurt my skin...dry, tight, very red and flaky. Plus with Retin-A you have to be VERY careful about getting out in the sun. My dermatologist just put me on EpiQuin for my melasma. I haven't seen any great results, but I also haven't been really diligent about using it. She said the minute I stop using it the spots come back, so I'm not sure it is worth me rubbing cream into my face everyday for the rest of my life. I may just come to embrace what my hormones have done to my face

By Children03 on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 08:08 am:

If I eventually find a cure for it, I will still have to keep my face well protected from the sun. The sun will only make it come back and get darker. Mine isn't awful and I can live with it, but it frustrates me to see the brown spots without makeup. The one above my lip looks like a faint mustache. I can't stand it, all I can say is thank goodness for make-up.

By Laurazee on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 06:43 pm:

I've had this, too. It's annoying, isn't it? My Dr. prescribed a combo cream that they make up at the pharmacy with hydroquinone, Retin-A & Vitamin C. Not sure if there's an official name for it. It works pretty well, and she said I can use it if I'm ever pregnant again.

I also avoid the sun like a vampire, and I use 30 spf every day).