Melasma and the Mental Health effects of skin conditions

Hi @cak71 and welcome to Connect. That must be so frustrating to find no success in treating your melasma. What have you tried so far?

Thanks for your response. I have been under the care of a dermatologist since my diagnosis. I took Accutane for acne when I was younger and wonder if this may have caused it. My dermatologist doesn’t think so. I have tried hydroquinone, but it never helped. I went to a holistic doctor and he had me try azelaic acid gel. I tried acupuncture, herbal supplements, eating super clean and cutting out gluten. I’ve also use face products that do not contain a lot of chemicals. It’s mostly on my chin so I think it’s hormonal. I was on natural progesterone for awhile but it didn’t help. As you can see, I have tried pretty much everything. Now I’m worried about my mental well-being because it bothers me so much. I feel like it’s such a curse to never go out in the sun without covering my face. Even just the heat makes it worse. Thanks for listening 😊

You mentioned eating clean. The Dr. William Crook, The Yeast Connection Handbook has a simple to read and good explanation of how an anti-inflamation diet can help with many skin issues, including eczema which I have. I began this diet in Oct of 2018 and it has made a difference for me, in many ways. Right now am eczema free of all my 3 types, a first in a decade. I do not know if this helps with Melasma, but it would be worth a try. I noticed a difference after 2 month detox and because of that added another month. Now I am the post detox plan and will stay on this for life because of my results.

Hello, I know what you are talking about. I got melasma after an unwanted laser procedure at the beauty clinic of my ex-boyfriend. He is President of an important laser association in my country, so I believed the laser procedure was safe. However, instead of helping me with minor acne problems, I ended up with having horrible melasma all over my face. All over my forehead and under the eyes (as they put metal glasses on my eyes and probably burned the delicate skin around them). This happened in April 2013 and I have been struggling with this problem since then. However, I can tell you one thing really worked. An old dermatologist recommended to me Pigmanorm Creme, available in Germany and Switzerland (due to the high percentage of hydroquinone in it, it is banned in certain countries). The effect of Pigmanorm Creme is pretty drastic. You put it on the affected area, leave it for about 3 hours, then remove it, the spot becomes unpleasantly red and in the following one week or so, you literally "peal off" your skin from that spot. I did it in winter and really got rid of that major huge spot on my forehead (though the problem still stays under my eyes). If you have it on your chin, chances are that it will help you, too. You are absolutely right with the self-confidence issue! I can tell you that I suffered *hell* when this happened to me, for many years. People never looked into my eyes but always on my forehead and no make-up can cover that. Moreover, my ex-boyfriend broke up with me (of course!), until now he keeps denying that his clinic of aesthetic medicine is fully responsible for this huge damage (and, of course, it is more psychological because melasma does not really "hurt"), he has never paid any damages, so I have invested tons of money into this thing, including all those shiny whitish creams with SPF 50+ and also this year in September I'll start a new treatment for those spots under my eyes. It is a lot of sorrow and money. If you got this while pregnant, it is your baby and you're just fine. But in my case it was "produced" and given to me as a gift (initially with a free voucher to the beauty clinic) so my trauma is greater for that. Try Pigmanorm but be very cautious because it is, indeed, very very strong. Before Pigmanorm, I used about 10 different products but none of them really helped.

Hi 🙂 I have responded to your message here but it is probably displayed as a separate post, so please read it here, I think that cream can help you 🙂 Blessings, Marcela

Thank you so much! My Melasma is below the dermal layer. In certain lighting you can hardly tell and in other, more shadow type, lighting it looks really dark (almost black). I’m not sure the cream would get that deep. I had a “mustache” after my youngest was born, but he is now 18. Over the years it has shifted to my chin. I honestly am done spending money at this point. I’m sorry that you’re was caused by the laser treatment- that’s so frustrating! Cindy

OK, I didn't know yours was that deep. Frankly speaking, I did not know how deep was mine but Pigmanorm really helped it, so I just wanted to share my experience. You are a lucky woman because you had kids and your youngest is 18 years old 🙂 That's beautiful! To me, this horror happened when I was 34 y.o. and, of course, no man will marry me like that & I can also forget about having children 🙁

Thank you so much for sharing what has helped you! I’m going to ask my dermatologist next time I see her! Please don’t say that you’ll never get married. I know it’s so hard to feel confident, but someone will love you for your heart. My husband tells me it’s way more noticeable and important to me than anyone else. I think he’s right. When you see someone with something on their face do you focus on it? I don’t- I’m much more forgiving of others. Also, my 9 year old nephew just got diagnosed with an aggressive form of Crohn’s disease- it really puts things in perspective. Hang in there!

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Well, when I see other people with skin problems, I look at them in a different way, with compassion, because I know what they are living... I know it is difficult for men to look at a woman and think... Well, she has problematic skin but, maybe... maybe she has a good heart. You are right about other health issues being far more serious, like Crohn's disease etc. I actually teach at La Sapienza medical school here in Rome & I translate medical books & articles all the time, so I know that melasma is just a minor "cosmetic" issue. It does not hurt... but still... those first 5 years after the laser procedure were the worst. Now, I got used to living with that, covering with make-up & applying SPF 50+ creams in summer (and we have extremely hot summers here in Rome, Italy). I wish you all the best & a lot of positive energy to your young nephew! I'll be praying for him & for you as well here in the Eternal City...

We visited Rome last September and loved it! I live in Tennessee so I understand about heat and wearing lots of sunscreen! Take care and bless you!