After being on 3+ years of fertility drugs, I have had a lot of trouble with Melasma (mask of pregnancy). It appeared after using Follistim for ~1 year, and got much worse after IVF and into pregnancy. (So bad, my patients kept asking me if I had something on my lip, or if I had been out in the sun too much!) It has faded somewhat since giving birth last June, but it is still pretty bad.
I exfoliate my face once a day, use SPF 70+ and wear a hat when outside, and moisturize. I am still breastfeeding, so I can't take the prescription meds. Does anyone have any advice? Have you tried something OTC that was safe and really worked?
I thought about having microdermabrasion done- but don't want to pay a ton of money for each treatment (anyone have someone they love and would suggest?).
Please- I'm desparate here. HELP!!!
Hydroquinone is great but the strength thats needed 4% is only available by rx from a Dr. There are some 2% cremes on the market that might be helpful but they are expensive and there is some question to their safety. You might want to look into a product that contains Kojilac C. It is sold online and I have had good luck with it.
I would try a organic Coconut oil lotion. It is amazing for the skin. the best place I have found it is www.basabody.com
I would be happy to provide you with a sample of Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion. It's just $55 and lasts several weeks if used 2-3 times per week. Mary Kay also has a new Even Complexion Mask, that has provided some women some amazing results! It's just $20. Now the thing to keep in mind with whatever you try, is that the melasma didn't probably appear overnight, so there isn't anything that will make it go away overnight either. Anything that you try will take time, so you will need to make a commitment to whatever regimen to choose to see your best results. My website is www.marykay.com/michellehovick so you can browse at your leisure, and privacy, the products that I have referenced here.
Good luck!
I have also had problems with melasma since my first DD was born 4 years ago. A couple of things that I have done to help minimize the color is using Aveeno positively radiant moisturizer with SPF. I also found a product at Wahlgreens called Porcelana. It is a nighttime lightening cream with hydroquinone which is a cream that I am told dermotologists prescribe for this problem. The jar does say to check with your doc if you are breastfeeding, so you may want to ask your dr before you use it. I have also done microdermabrasion, just Mary Kay's or I have also used one by Neutrogena that comes with a hand held devise that you use to rub it in and really get it in and that seems to have helped also. As you can see, I've used several different things and the combination of all of them have dramatically reduced the appearance of my spots, mind you they aren't gone, but they are better and I can cover them with makeup for the most part. Good luck, hope you find something that works for you!
