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[Nas]

Has anyone experienced Melasma, whilst on HRT? Basically, the hyperpigmentation of skin, where brown patches appear primarily  on the cheeks, forehead and bridge of nose.

Just been reading up on it and it says that hormonal medication ( hrt included) can cause this. My skin is tan brown, so I appear to be more prone to it apparently!

I’ve tried using concealer, but it seems to be cropping up everywhere   

[Ana21]

Hi Nas!

I developed melasma due to MHT.  I was referred to a dermatologist.  I use a custom compounded cream, a modified Kligman formula containing hydroquinone, tretinoin, hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid.  Sunscreen is a must and I never leave the house without it.  Light and heat are triggers, as are any irritants that cause inflammation.  I had to bin skincare and makeup products containing fragrance and other irritants.  Sadly, it was the most expensive products that led to the most irritation, especially when my skin was sensitive and adjusting to the HQ/tretinoin.

Hydroquinone is not used on a continuous basis.  When I'm not using the HQ, I use tretinoin and skincare containing vitamin C, niacinamide, etc.  There are a lot of products targeting pigmentation.

The melasma has faded considerably, but not disappeared entirely.  It looks like light freckling and it's not obvious.  I'm satisfied with the results.  It will likely start darkening again by the end of summer and I'll start another cycle of HQ. 

Melasma can be stubborn.  If you haven't requested a referral to a dermatologist, I suggest you do so.  It can take so long to see a specialist these days. 

Hope you've been well and the Mirena is settling.

[CLKD]

For some of us it's natural ageing, I have shite (bugga)  that should read !!! white !!! spots along my arms.  It is common in people of ethnic origins with dark skin in that they get it too. 

Skin tags too 

[QueenofReds3]

CLKD What are shite spots

[CLKD]

Predictive text  sorry

[QueenofReds3]

It did make me chuckle though

[sheila99]

She's been on the farm again 

[joziel]

I've had melasma for ages. Probably since I was about 30 or 35. I googled what would be involved in treating it, the creams and dermatologists and health concerns about hydroquinolone - and also that it would be long-term - and I decided I didn't want to go down that route and I'd just use good foundation.

Mine is on my forehead, so I tend to use a foundation designed to cover tattoos and scars on my forehead and then a more natural-looking less full coverage foundation on the rest of my face.

I always use suncream (I like Green People's tinted moisturiser which is SFP 15) and the best foundation I found for covering it, was DermaBlend. It was the only one which didn't crease and leave cracks in and continued to look natural.

The melasma has gotten a lot better over the last few years - it doesn't look so ridiculous. It used to look like I had a seagull flying across my forehead, that was the shape of it    Now it is just a line which runs parallel to my hairline on the left side.

[CLKD]

Vitiligo - I had a lookC and I think this is more how my skin is reacting.