MELASMA??

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Permalink Reply by Perkunas on October 29, 2008 at 8:44pm

so...first....stop taking those pills :-)
my friend had something like that....she is no longer on the pill, has change her diet...getting closer to raw and started surfing....soon the sun will be her best friend :)

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Permalink Reply by peanut on October 29, 2008 at 9:00pm

Hi SunGirl:

I have melasma and have been raw for about a year -- it didn't clear the spots. Sorry for the bad news. However, I found a topical that works. I hate topicals and chemicals, but this has been a lifesaver for me. Maybe in the longer term raw will clear my melasma, or maybe it'll go away with menopause.

I'm happy to talk more about this, if you'd like: I struggled with melasma for three years and I know how awful and embarrassing it can be.

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Permalink Reply by SunGirl on October 29, 2008 at 9:06pm

I have been raw for about 1year as well and I have not had them clear up at all, they have gotten worse actually. My skin looks better but still spotted:( I would love to chat with you about melasma and learn from your years of wisdom!! Thanks so much!

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Permalink Reply by SunGirl on October 29, 2008 at 9:03pm

Thanks guys for the info:) I'm not on birth control, haven't been for years. I stopped as soon as the melasma showed up but it seems to get worse every summer. Perkunas, let me know how things go with your friend, I've been raw for over a year now and it hasn't helped yet but I'm still loving raw.

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Permalink Reply by Becky on June 24, 2009 at 3:11pm

I just read a book about Melasma by Vanessa Wild. She suggests a supplement MSM sulpher. I'm going to give it a try. I'll let you know if I see any improvement.

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Permalink Reply by Lesley Anne on July 17, 2009 at 3:42pm

I just finished reading Vanessa's book. Have you tried it yet? If so hows it going for you? I'm heading out today to pick up more MSM. I'd love to hear how your adventures are going.

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Permalink Reply by Kumara on June 25, 2009 at 1:02pm

Check out www.earthclinic.com

they suggested putting horseradish on the area for a few minutes...

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Permalink Reply by Lesley Anne on June 25, 2009 at 4:43pm

I turned to raw food in hopes of being free of melasma. My melasma is a direct result of taking birth control pills to clear acne. Most doctors never tell you to read the sheet of warnings and side effects that come with the pill but one in three women will develop melasma from BCP's. For some melasma goes away once your off the pill but not for me. I quit using BCP's three years ago and my melasma worsened. In my research I've come to believe BCP's put a heavy strain on the adrenal glands and tax them severely. Fatigued adrenals then produce higher amounts of melanin therefore causing the melasma.

My goal is to heal the adrenal glands naturally thus getting rid of the cause of the melasma. I've been following www.cheeseslave.com, she has been able to significantly reduce her melasma through supplements and diet. She's not a rawfoodie but she's the only person I know who has been able to help her melasma via diet. Here's a link to articles she has written pertaining to melasma. http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner-pub-0989808958899717%3A90bbg3-...

I take MSM, maca, lugols iodine along with a raw diet. I use Cosmelan as a topical cream to lighten the dark pigmentation, it doesn't contain mercury or Hydroquinone like so many other melasma creams. I'm certain it's not perfect but so far this works for me. My melasma is much, much better than it has been in a long time but it's not gone either, I hope this info helps.

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Permalink Reply by Becky on June 26, 2009 at 3:30am

Thanks for sharing more info on this. I would love to see before and after pictures of anyone who has had any success in treating this! I had Fotofacial laser treatments and it made it worse. I think going raw has helped my skin in general, but I am disappointed that the dark spots are still there. But I think all the fresh fruits can only help.
Mine started I think around 10 years ago. I have never taken birth control pills, but I think that stress contributed (the adrenal thing) and also meat and dairy intake (before I became vegan and raw). I read here where some people can get in the sun when they are raw, but I still can't get in the sun because of this condition.
Bummer!

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Permalink Reply by Lesley Anne on June 26, 2009 at 10:35am

I've had several Fotofacials, and IPL laser treatments, they did work to an extent but the last one made the melasma worse as well. Even with the laser treatments the melasma would just come back, it still comes back in the sun but the cosmelan lightens the melasma so it's about 85% gone. If I'm not carefull about the sun the pigment will still darken a little.

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Permalink Reply by svelte_in_la on June 29, 2009 at 8:11am

Photofacials have helped fade mine, though I have very little melasma since I abhor the sun and haven't had many relationships long enough to warrant being on the pill.

As far as skin bleachign agents, STAY AWAY from products with hydroquanine. It actually makes hyper pigmentation worse.

and wear SUNSCREEN!!! Even in the car!!! I cannot stress it enough. Want proof? Look at my profile and and my age.

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Permalink Reply by Chicory on June 29, 2009 at 11:44am

I don't have it, but I've read azaleic acid can help quite a bit. It seems to only target the pigmented areas, not the rest of the skin. I've used it on really old persistent scars, and it has totally faded them, as well as corrected rosacea issues, but now I find I don;t need it.

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