NEWS FLASH! You will never kill your hyperpigmentation, pigmentation or melasma for good.
FACT!
At the age of almost fifty-two, I’ve been fighting pigmentation for over twenty years so I’m confident it ain’t gonna happen. My advice is, accept it and move forward on how best to minimize those dark shadows that control your public appearances. As soon as you get your head around this reality you can treat that dark patch as part of who you are, the map of your face, that sets you apart from everyone else and defines your face. It doesn’t have to be negative and it certainly shouldn’t control your life. Indeed since I stopped being afraid of what other people think, I often step out in public completely makeup free! Funnily enough, nobody cares about my face as much as I do. Who knew!
That said, it’s also true I haven’t exactly embraced my pigmentation. Sadly I’m not quite that evolved yet. At this point, my ideal scenario is to fade the worst area, the doughnut-shaped patch on my cheek. Invariably on my quest to even out my skin tone I’ve tried many treatments.
Over the course of decades, I used Retin A with great success however the pigmentation always returns. Indeed no matter what form of treatment I take, my patch of pigment always reappears eventually. My problem is persistent in this specific area for reasons unknown to me. It could simply be hormonal, perhaps sun damage in my early years and of course it could also merely be a natural weakness I was born with. Whatever the cause I’m constantly looking for the next new treatment. The trouble is, nothing is truly new and nothing is ever permanent.
As I said Retin A gave me the best results, followed closely by a chemical peel. Both treatments yield similar results however the time frame is vastly different. With Retin A it takes months to arrive at the same place as a peel does in a matter of three weeks. That’s not to say one is preferable over the other since there are many personal factors to consider, like downtime. In any case, I’m frightened to use Retin A again because it is so dangerous with even the slightest amount of sunlight anywhere near your skin and I simply don’t trust my diligence with sunscreen and three kids on Summer break! Likewise the chemical peel.
USING HYDROQUINONE TO TREAT HYPER-PIGMENTATION
By now you may be wondering why I haven’t tried hydroquinone before. Funnily enough, it never occurred to me that bleaching just this patch of pigmentation was even possible. The distinct shape of it made me wary. I feared to lighten the surrounding skin would actually highlight the dark area and accentuate it. There is no way in the world I want to accidentally lighten the rest of my face. This would only make my skin more susceptible to further sun damage which is not only aging but also dangerous!
Then I went to The Breslow Centre for advice and they suggested hydroquinone! Naturally, I shared my concerns with the Dermatologist who told me to simply apply the cream with a cotton bud. This way I can be sure of only treating the area of pigmentation. She recommended a product called Melamin by Zein Obagi which contains 4% hydroquinone. This is a powerful bleaching cream and should only be used for three weeks at one time. Some people apply the cream twice a day but I was nervous so I only used it once a day.
Below you can see the gradual fade of my pigmentation over the course of three weeks using hydroquinone.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SKIN BLEACHING
At the end of week three, I’m rather pleased with the noticeable fading. I would like to see how much further I can go with this product but first I’ll take the break in treatment that was recommended by my skin specialist. Now that my pigmentation doughnut has faded significantly BB cream alone covers it enough for every day. This also gives me the option of just using concealer (and sunscreen of course) on the pigmentation for a fresh, clean, makeup-free look.
Speaking of clean makeup, Perricone MD recently sent me the relaunched No Makeup Skincare. Two products in one? Now, this is my kinda makeup! No Makeup Skincare’s advanced formula is boosted with ingredients to improve the appearance of skin texture and tone over time, while instantly giving a beautiful no makeup look.
There’s a lot more to say about this range so I’ll save it for another post. You may have caught my Instagram Stories trying it for the first time? Suffice to say, I’m super impressed by how the makeup delivers on every issue. Is there another makeup out there that actually combats pigmentation while you wear it?
7 LIGHTENING CREAMS FOR PIGMENTATION
- Melamin, Zein Obagi
As this is a prescription only cream, try a free consultation here or see your dermatologist
- Pigment gel, PCA Skin
This product contains 2% hydroquinone, the most you can buy over the counter. Although it won’t be as powerful as 4%, this cream is still very good for lightening pigmentation. You should only use it at night.
- Truth Serum, Ole Henriksen
I love the name of this serum but in truth, it will only brighten dull skin and probably not lighten hyperpigmentation. However, it is a great product for making the appearance of skin more even if you feel it’s a little dull. It also contains Vitamin C and is a good price for the result it gives.
- VinoPerfect, Caudalie
Vinoperfect serum is rich in viniferine, a natural extract of grapevine sap used to treat dark spots. I’m a fan of Caudalie products and really like using this serum a lot. Overall it brightened my skin and gently faded my stubborn pigment.
- Glycholic Serum, The Ordinary
With 7% glycolic acid this toning Solution offers mild exfoliation for improved skin radiance and visible clarity. At a whopping $8.70 (no that is not a typo) we should all use this wonderful brightening product! It won’t get rid of your pigmentation but it will enhance the potency of whatever you pair with it.
- Rapid Lightening Regime, Murad
This little kit packs a punch and contains everything you need to start tackling that pigmentation before Summer. There’s a Vitamin C cleanser to brighten which you follow with the Rapid Age Spot serum that contains 2% hydroquinone. Finish with the eye cream and daily moisturizer that contains the broad spectrum SPF30 you absolutely must wear daily.
- Vitamin C Ester 15 Intensive Brightening, Perricone MD
As you know, another brand I rate highly is Perricone MD. So far I’ve had excellent results from their other products I’ve tried. Although I haven’t tested this particular cream, I have a lot of faith in its potency. It is the most expensive of all the products I chose for this list. However, it does contain a massive concentration of Vitamin C Ester at 15% which gives me confidence in its efficacy.
THE SURPRISING BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLE
Finally, it would be remiss of me to not recommend pineapple for fighting pigmentation. Yep it’s true, fresh pineapple. Bear with me…
Twenty years ago when I was about to have my tonsils removed I read an article on the healing enzymes in pineapple. Further investigation proved rather fruitful Bahahahaha!
Sorry. Anyway, we all know that what we put into our bodies has a direct effect on our health and appearance. You may already know that pineapples are very in high vitamin C, the most powerful antioxidant.
Comments ( 15 )
Susan B
I’m glad you were able to get good results with the bleaching cream. I have what the dermatologist calls a “pigmented lesion” (and my grandmother used to call “liver spots”) on my cheek. The bleaching creams and Retin A never did much for it (though I think the Retin A has improved my skin overall). The only thing that’s worked for me to fade it is IPL, a form of laser. And yes, it always comes back, so I now get an annual IPL treatment.
Michelle Tyler
Ah I tried the IPL too Susan. The result wasn’t bad but it hurt like hell and yes the pigment returned as you know.
I do feel when there’s a specific patch it tends to be deep. So bringing the pigmentation to the surface to remove is the difficulty. I think “lesion” is a very appropriate term and no doubt applies to me too although I haven’t heard it described that way.
I love my skin texture from Retin A but as I said, I’m frightened to use it now. Although I still say it’s a great option if you stay out of the sun entirely. Your skin always looks beautiful lady x
middlesisterstyleblog
Thanks for the info. I use a lightening cream on my cheeks from sun damage. I’ve also had a chemical peel. We keep trying right!?? Thanks for the summer drink suggestion!! The info on pineapple is so wonderful. I’m heading to the store to buy some pineapple!!
Michelle
Sounds refreshing right? Cheers love!
No Fear of Fashion
Well done and very carefully. That is very you. I have come to accept the dark spots as I can still cover it with conceiler. My legs worry me more. They are my biggest assets and they are covered in blotches and spider vains. Have to go to a dermatologist for that and preferably in winter of course. Which I always forget. Spring comes along and I think “rats… forgot it again”.
Greetje
MT
That’s interesting about your legs Greetje, what do you have done? I wonder if you use the broadband light on them? I imagine this is the ideal treatment since it zaps spider veins, tackles pigmentation and various forms of discolouration. I know it’s popular for the decolletage so it’d definitely work on legs.
No Fear of Fashion
Never heard of broadband light. Must investigate that. I thought only a dermatologist could do something.
MT
I tried it for my pigmentation but it’d a very slow process that I didn’t have time to keep going back to the clinic for. It’s very good though and best of all, it’s long lasting. Have a look at this link for more info BBL
No Fear of Fashion
I found somebody who gives this treatment very near my house!! I am going to save up and do that in October. Thanks for the information. Looking forward to looking 10 years younger haha.
whatlizzyloves
Do you know, I had never ever noticed the pigmentation on your cheek Michelle. The hydroquinone has made a noticeable difference hasn’t it and being able to cover it with a BB cream is excellent. I adore pineapple but never thought about applying it topically. What a great idea- fruit acids and all that xxx
MT
Thanks Liz!
I actually devoured a pineapple yesterday and rubbed the juice on my face. Hahaha you should’ve seen the looks I got from the children, priceless 😉
xxx
Lisa the Sequinist
What an informative post! I’m forwarding to a friend who has pigmentation issues on her cheek, similar to yours. You do such a brilliant job of treating and covering your pigmentation, one would hardly know it was an issue for you at all. I’m the same with my eczema! No one knows JUST how awful it can look except for me, since I’m the one treating it.
Off to explore your product recs. I do love a good and gentle Retin A lotion for general glowification. xx
MT
“Glowification” I love that! xxx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
Like Liz I’ve never noticed the pigmentation on your cheek (and we’ve seen you IRL many times) – goes to show you cover it very well! I have bad pigmentation on my jawline – having stayed out the sun for quite a few years now the bit on my forehead gradually went away but the jawline patch stayed. Your results are INCREDIBLE, you must be so pleased! I’m definitely going to to try the pineapple trick before any products, so thank you for the tip!
Catherine x
MT
Aha you see that’s great concealor for you Catherine! I’m pleased to hear you girls didn’t notice my pigmentation, and I do feel confident when I cover it but I’d like to wear less make up as I get older not more. Which is why I’m on a mission to keep that patch as light as possible. Menopause hasn’t helped, as you know hormones play havoc with skin.
I just finished another week of using the hydroquinone and it has actually faded even more! Although I really should put it away now that Summer is almost here, I don’t want to make my skin even more susceptible to sun damage. Let me know how you get on with the pineapple lovely xx