I've been using Retin A for acne for nearly a year and it has lightened one spot on my cheek that was the size and shape of a pencil eraser. It's still there but it isn't as dark and round as it used to be.

Anonymous wrote:I used hydroquinone in my 20s after the pill gave me melasma. That and diligent avoidance of the sun helped after a few months. not sure I'd use it again, however.

I heard IPL treatments can help. anyone know if this is true? I want to get my face lasered all to hell after I'm done having babies.

+1

Obaji Clear has some hydroquinone. All of the top derms recommend for a limited use for melasma.

Melasma is notoriously hard to get rid of. I had it really bad in my mid-20s from BC pills. I'm olive toned. I had to do retin-A mixed with Obaji clear, microdermabrasion, a series of Chemical peels. Since then, I have always wore SPF on my face and hat if I am at the beach, jogging or outside for any extended period. I avoid the sun like crazy. I will get a few spots here and there, but they are tiny now and fade in winter. That treatment cured the 'dark mask' I had before. It was horrible.

I used hydroquinone in my 20s after the pill gave me melasma. That and diligent avoidance of the sun helped after a few months. not sure I'd use it again, however.

I heard IPL treatments can help. anyone know if this is true? I want to get my face lasered all to hell after I'm done having babies.

i have it too and i HATE it. my harvard educated dermatologist prescribed Hydroquinone and i used it until i did some research. idiots. i was furious. i have tried lemon juice and ACV but nothing is permanent. go back in the sun and it's as dark as ever. i read it has to do with a hormone imbalance. if i were you, that is what i would research.

Hydroquinone can also cause vitiligo (the opposite)- it is used as a last resort for people with vitiligo (white patches) that cover too much of the surface to cover up. Stay away from the stuff.

Hydroquinone is supposed to be effective. But it's also been linked to cancer and is banned in Europe for that reason. I'm not sure what the science is on it, so you'd want to do some research first. Paula (forget her company's name) sells a hydroquinone product and she has/had a discussion of the issues, so you might start there.

I started getting it when I was on birth control. It went away when I went off of it, but once I was pregnant it came back. Over a year post-partum and it's just as bad. I've tried Clinique dark spot corrector, OTC bleaching cream, retinol/retinoids and microdermabrasion but nothing's helped. I brought it up to the pa at my derm's office when I was in for a yearly mole check, and she just kinda shrugged and was like "I got the same thing when I had my babies". I have to think there's procedures used by more cosmetic-focused derms that will help. It's all over my forehead and temples, and in the summer starts to show up on my upper lip. Anyone had this treated or have recommendations?