Remove Brown Mask

Updated on April 10, 2008
S.R. asks from Austin, TX
25 answers

My daughter is 10 months old now but when I was about 8 months pregnant I began to get the brown mask on my face. I still have it and would like to get rid of it. Will this go away once I stop breast feeding? Has anyone had similar experience or have any suggestions on how to get rid of it.

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E.C.

answers from Houston on

I agree with Nikki B. Triluma cream, an Rx from a doctor, works wonderfully. I am also a nut about wearign a hat and 30+SPF on my face at all times, and I am outside a lot.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.P.

answers from Houston on

I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my daughter, now 4 years old. It stayed while I was breastfeeding and then faded a little after I quit breastfeeding. I tried all kinds of products but none really completely got rid of it. The only thing that really erased it was going to a esthetician and having glycolic peels. They completely changed my skin. I swear by them now. instead of glycolic peels, I now get microdermabrasion. i hope that you can find something that works for you.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.F.

answers from San Angelo on

My first daughter gave me a dark "heart" on my cheek that I thought was endearing...the two other kids just gave me dark spots. Most of the smaller, lighter spots went away, but came back when I got pregnant again. According to dermatologists, the dark spots usually go away by themselves - however, this process can take a very long time. It is not unusual to have the condition persist for months or years after giving birth or stopping taking birth control pill.

Treatment to lighten the dark spots include:

*Cosmetics to cover and hide the spots (covergirl liquid makeup works for me)

*Over-the-counter lightening cream with 2% hydroquinone
*Prescription lightening cream with 4% hydroquinone
Tritenoin cream
*Chemical peel using alpha-hydroxy acids
*Laser treatment

Lotions with high SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater should be worn if you have melasma, because sunlight and ultraviolet lights can make them worse.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

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S.K.

answers from Houston on

So yeah let me know if you find a good technique that works. I have 3 children (4,2 & 9months) and I have it all ove my face. It came up after I gave birth to my 1st child and never went away. It also go worse during my pregnancies! I am tired of it and thought about seeing a demotologist but I don't want to do anything until I am sure I am done having kids.

I have found that the BareMinerals Make up to be the best way to cover it (and it has a sunscreen in it too). Plus I make sure I have sunscreen in my moisturizer too.

Good luck and post the amazing cure if you find it!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from San Antonio on

To S. R. I am a S. R also. Anyway I have been a makeup artist for about 10 years and there is a product called Fadeaway from Frances Denney. I have recomended this product for years and it really works if you use is right. The only thing is that you might have a hard time finding it. I would try finding it on the internet. The last company that distributed it was Color Me Beautiful. If you can find it I promise you that it will get rid of the brown mask!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.P.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Hi S.,
Yes, I had it - it does not usually go away on it's own. I used some great products from BeautiControl to get rid of mine. Reprogram, Regeneration and Microderm Abrasion. Let me know if you need more info. or check out www.beautipage.com/bethpadgett .
B.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had the spot very badly during my last pregnancy. I actually have a natural treatment you can use if you'd like to email for more info. It's outstanding! It's a type of natural, mild peel and removes those surface cells after a couple of weeks. It has eradicated all of my spots within about a month.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.C.

answers from San Antonio on

The brown spot I got when I was pregnant, 3 1/2 years ago, still comes out in the summer time with more exposure to the sun. I have found that Mary Kay's Even Complexion Essence really works to keep the spot from becoming noticeable. I apply it morning and night all over my face, not just on the spots, before I apply my regular moisturizer. Hope this helps!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I read this post and response and I was happy to see other moms suggest Mary Kay products. We also have mineral powder. If you or anyone would like to try them at no obligation, call me ###-###-#### or just send me a message :)Melanie

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Austin on

I didn't have this when I was pregnant, but I did get it after a lot of sun exposure a few years ago. And, it showed up above my lips - like a mustache I could not get rid of. I tried chemical peels, but what I found has worked the best is SPF sunblock every day under my makeup (and in my makeup) and a 4% hydroquinone cream I order on line from Paula's Choice (www.thecosmeticscop.com). I still get regular facials, but not the peels (they were painful and, frankly, not that effective).

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Houston on

I've had this condition for years. It's caused by the increase of hormones from either pregnancy or birth control pills. I had to see a dermatologist regularly to clear it up with bleaching creams, etc. It's also made worse by exposure to sunlight. It's very important to always wear sunscreen on your face (I use a 45 UVA/UVB). You can try the over the counter bleaching creams if you don't want to go the dermatologist route. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Houston on

Sounds like Melasma. I got it my 1st pregnancy..it got worse w/ my second. It is permanent pigment in the skin. I have had photoderm sessions @ $550/per. I recently had a TCA peel...OUCH..and $600. It's now better in places and worse in MANY others. The ONLY thing that has helped fade them is a product called 'Triluna'or 'Triluma'. It's a prescription you can get from a dermatologist. It's a bleaching cream and it works wonders!! The only problem is that it tends to make your skin look flaky/peeling. So, you put the cream on, then follow w/ a greasy moisturizer. I use coconut oil. I seriously think mine looks worse than ANYONE's I've ever seen. I can't cover it w/ makeup. The cream is something you'll have to use constantly...it will return if you don't put a heavy sunscreen on 1st thing in the morning!. ****I forgot to mention...each tube of the bleach is $100!!!! Insurance won't cover it.

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R.C.

answers from Houston on

I still get that too although it has faded a bit. I notice it more in the summer so I make sure to always wear sunscreen on my face. You can also get moisturizers with sunscreen which helps.

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

I've been doing microderm abrasion (Mary Kay) and my skin looks much better, but I'm not sure it really helped the brown spots. There's another product they have that's supposed to even skin tone, don't remember what it was. If you have a Mk consultant friend I recommend talking to her. I only used one bottle of the microderm but with regular use it may have helped the brown...I just haven't bought anymore yet.

s

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A.F.

answers from Brownsville on

I have same problem; have not found a solution either if you do let me know also. I tried the Retnol a but was very harsh on the face if you have sensative skint that may not work

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M.N.

answers from Austin on

I have some of it too on my cheeks, bare essentials (mineral makeup) seems to cover it up. I have stopped breastfeeding for a month, my son is 10 months too. I have seen a slight diminish but still a long way to go. I am using the Obagi system to help fade any sun damage and the melasma. Please let me know if you hear of any magic cures. Good luck!!

M. N.

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E.G.

answers from Houston on

It's called Chloasma if it comes after pregnancy and Melasma if if comes during pregnancy. I got it after my first child and would disappear when I got pregnant again which was unusual as it normally occurs during pregnancy and disappears. Mine were bad. My mom thought my DH hat hit me! They lightened up considerably over time.

My doc says it is hormone related and lives within the cells of your skin. Once your hormones level out, stop breast feeding, they should fade. If you go on the Pill it might come back.

I used a good covering make up (Revlon Color Stay) to cover it up. Dermablend is a good one but it looked pasty on me. Stay out of the sun as it will get darker, and use a good sunscreen daily.

After your hormones even out, and you find they have not lightened up you can talk to a dermatologist about la$er to get rid of it. Good luck to you. No you are not alone!

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S.G.

answers from Houston on

I have a 12 month old and keep getting more brown spots! We are only feeding twice a day. I've heard of a product called Meladerm (online) but am going to meet with my dermatologist tomorrow to see what can be done (my guess is a chemical peel, masking, facials or something) I'll let you know how it goes and what I discover :)

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A.C.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Hey girl. If you find the right answer let me know. I have 3 children and my two oldest are 10 and 9 years. My baby, almost 10 months old now and still a breastfed baby, found during the last trimester of my pregnancy got that darn brown mask all over my forehead, checks, chin and upper lips. I had people telling me they never noticed I had a mustache, which would make me cry cause I didn't have one! Ihave scrubbed my face raw. To me, it looked like my face was dirty. Foundation would make it look 10 times worse. It has somewhat fadded, but very much still there. I stay out of the sun because just a little sun makes it much darker. I have had people tell me to get facials, exfoliate, and even this spanish lady told me to put my sons pee on my face! Crazy as it sounds I almost thought about actually doing it! I feel your pain for sure, good luck to you. God Bless!

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B.F.

answers from Houston on

S. I had a mask with all my kids face neck and stomach.I tried face cream that suppose to fade away dark spots and I also went to the Dr.The only thing that you can do is wait until it fade away itself,the more you bathe the more it will fade on its own.B. F.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

dear S., I was pregnant almost 23 years ago, my son wasn't due until sept. so I went out and bought a $60 maternity bathing suit because I was going to be one of those prego's that went to the beach and boasted my big belly under the proper bathing suit of course (back then!) well the very first time that I got in the sun I got mother's mask and never went in the sun again my whole pregnancy. in fact I darted the sun as much as possible! I too still have trouble with pigmentation, (don't tan evenly) and I have a few sun damage spots now ( in my late 40's). I did not breast feed, but my mask went away after about a year. I would reccomend a good brown spot (sun spot) cream I know that Avon has one called "Photo-Radiance" it sells for $25 and is good on sun damage (brown spots) but it works best if you use a 30 or higher "spf" and stay out of the sun as much as possible. (don't worship the sun especially in Texas!) Avon also has a daily moisturizer with "SPF" 30 that doesn't leave you greasy or sticky. It is called "beautifully protected" that sells for about$12 (couldn't find it in the book). also there is one with "spf" of 25 that is also an anti age cream that sells for $32 sometimes on sale for less. Anyway the point is ...it does go away and you can do something about it without spending a fortune. if you are interested in these products or just have a question, please feel free to write back absolutely no obligation. best of luck!

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R.S.

answers from Houston on

My doctor prescribed a retinol-A tube for your face that you rub on your dark spots. It worked for me.

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P.K.

answers from Houston on

i don't have it anymore (my kids ar 3 ad 7) but even now if i get sun, i don' get a nice even tan, i get darker in places, almost like a moustache (lovely). so make sure you wear lots of sunscrean to prevent that part of it. check with your doc, like you said, but then get a good tinted moisteriser with a high spf... good luck!

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P.C.

answers from Houston on

I sure wish I could give you advice on how to get rid of the "brown mask" because I have it on my face too. Please let me know if you get any responses and/or cures on how to get rid of it. I absolutely hate it and it is difficult to cover up with make up. Thank you

P. Cooper
(____@____.com)

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A.B.

answers from El Paso on

I have known for a long time about a ¨grandma´s recipe¨it is called in spanish CONCHA NACAR it is a cream it is natural you can only ONLY apply it at night, and please wear sunscreen during the day.
Ther are also these products called something like OBAGEE or similar, you can only find them thru your dermatologist. They also work great, also wear sunscreen, Prespcriptives has a great one

Good Luck

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