What''s THE effective treatment for brown spots?

[chrono]

Date: 3/22/2009 7:42:41 AM
Author: Lorelei
P, Clinique have a new product out to treat this sort of thing - it fades dark spots.

Its called Even Better Skin Tone Corrector.

Has anyone tried it? Does it seem to be working?

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Pigmentation is probably one of the toughest cosmetic skin conditions to treat successfully. Partly, because it can come back due to hormones, sun exposure, etc. I struggle with it myself...and it is a *constant* struggle. I own a medspa and here are some of the things I believe in, from personal experience:

Cosmelan - it is the best thing I have seen for pigmentation, but you have to make sure you get the MD version. They changed their formula a bit ago to a lesser strength, but it didn''t work as well. So, after many demands, they brought back the old formula but it is "prescription only"...meaning, a doctor has to recommended it and send the company a request for you. They send the kit to the doctor - they apply the mask in the office/medspa and there is a maintenance cream you take home, too. It costs anywhere from $500 to $1000 for entire treatment kit. I have personally used both versions...and they MD version totally works!!! Works on all skin types, too.

Tri-Luma also works well. A friend of mine had horrible melasma and it cleared it right up. It is a combination cream of hydroquinone, retin-a, and hydrocortisone. It is also prescription only.

Obagi is good but you have to be very, very consistent with it...every day morning and night. I feel like the minute you stop using it, it stops working.

Also, IPL can be problematic for ethnic skin and can actually cause more pigmentation if the operator is not careful.

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 3/22/2009 2:14:45 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 3/21/2009 6:21:38 AM
Author: simplysplendid
I had skin sensitivities which I had to see a skin specialist for. I visited a skin specialist at Mount Elizabeth hospital and during one of my visits, I chatted with a middle aged lady. That lady had spent thousands of dollars trying to fix her brown or dark spots on her face without success at beauty parlours and on creams but according to her, the skin specialist fixed her problem. Have you tried to consult a specialist in this field?

SS, what''s the name of this skin specialist? Can you recommend him/ her to me?

Thanks.

Hi, I guess it should be ok to mention this on the forum since his contact is found on the Mt E website anyway. He is Dr Oon Beng Bee, quite a senior and experienced doctor.

 

[elrohwen]

I also have problems with lots of brown pigmentation on my face and arms.

Oh wait, those are freckles.

Still haven''t figured out how to get rid of them.

 

[:)]

Assuming you are talking about melasma.
Sounds like you have tried the hydroquinone (''whitening cream'')

If you really want the best tx, I recommend that you see a dermatologist (dermatologist only for you IMO) for this - a combo of prescription strength retinoids and possibly an initial chemical peel to speed things up - the derm would have to see you to say. Definitely keep up the sunscreen - not only for the melasma, but also for general skin protection and to protect the skin if you go on topical retinoids. Make sure you have both UVB and UVA protection.

Interesting you are on thyroxine - thyroid issues have been associated with melasma - wonder if maybe you were having issues before you knew it?
Also some make up can actually make it worse... (I actually once had a young male model that had horrible melasma associated with the makeup he wore (even when not working) - can''t remember the brand, but I believe it was definitely a big factor in it)

 

[pinkelephant]

Hey Phoenix, Bio-oil can be bought at your drugstore for about $12. It comes in an orange and white box... I googled it under images and it comes up. Hope this helps!

 

[D&T]

Date: 3/22/2009 5:09:56 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 3/22/2009 7:42:41 AM
Author: Lorelei
P, Clinique have a new product out to treat this sort of thing - it fades dark spots.

Its called Even Better Skin Tone Corrector.

Has anyone tried it? Does it seem to be working?

I have it, I have used it for about six weeks now,,, it slightly lightened it, but not completely, I probably won't be buying it again, I think if you have lots of spots all over, its suppose to even it out, but I have only three very noticeable dark spot so its very noticeable to me. I think I'll try (I think) estee lauder or lancome has a skin corrector as well... so we shall see..

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hydroquinone is suppose to work. Keep in mind it has been banned in some countries because its link to cancer. Of course, when studies are conducted, the scientists use larger than normal amounts, but with possible carcinagenic risk, it's a good idea to only use it short-term! Not to make it a permanent part of your beauty regimine. (oh, and FWIW, I did try it and didn't notice any difference and returned the one I bought after I found out about it being banned. I'm not sure which one I tried - it was a brand sold at Sephora)

 

[swl]

Fresh lemon juice + honey = brown spots gone!

My aunt had small brown spots on her face while she's going through menopause, she made the drink herself everyday, twice a day (in the morning and after dinner). Six months later, all her brown spots were gone and her face became really smooth and the bonus is 1 shade lighter skin tone. It takes a bit longer, but definitely natural and harm free.

since i have witnessed it myself, i am totally following her routine. haha hopefully this works for you too!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 3/22/2009 3:11:11 PM
Author: innerkitten
I haven''t read the rest of the responses but just anted to mention what''s worked for me. I''m in my 30s and caucasian and am prone to dark spots from the sun. But I started using bare minerals foundation about six months ago and now I have no more pigmentation spots, even when I''m not wearing make up. It''s amazing stuff.

really?! wow. i need to look into that.

 

[pocahontas]

Date: 3/22/2009 4:16:18 AM
Author: janey
I have heard that bio-oil works wonders... I frequent an Asian website that seems to recommend it for dark spots, acne, scars, etc... Several people have seemed to have had great success with it, and it's inexpensive as well. good luck!

Both my mom and sister swear by this stuff; my mom for her brown spots and my sister, who used to suffer from pretty bad acne, has used Bio Oil with a lot of success to clear up the scars on her face and back.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/22/2009 3:11:11 PM
Author: innerkitten
I haven't read the rest of the responses but just anted to mention what's worked for me. I'm in my 30s and caucasian and am prone to dark spots from the sun. But I started using bare minerals foundation about six months ago and now I have no more pigmentation spots, even when I'm not wearing make up. It's amazing stuff.

Wow, thanks. I'm gonna go and look it up. That sounds amazing!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/22/2009 6:28:32 PM
Author: Rock_of_Love
Pigmentation is probably one of the toughest cosmetic skin conditions to treat successfully. Partly, because it can come back due to hormones, sun exposure, etc. I struggle with it myself...and it is a *constant* struggle. I own a medspa and here are some of the things I believe in, from personal experience:

Cosmelan - it is the best thing I have seen for pigmentation, but you have to make sure you get the MD version. They changed their formula a bit ago to a lesser strength, but it didn''t work as well. So, after many demands, they brought back the old formula but it is ''prescription only''...meaning, a doctor has to recommended it and send the company a request for you. They send the kit to the doctor - they apply the mask in the office/medspa and there is a maintenance cream you take home, too. It costs anywhere from $500 to $1000 for entire treatment kit. I have personally used both versions...and they MD version totally works!!! Works on all skin types, too.

Tri-Luma also works well. A friend of mine had horrible melasma and it cleared it right up. It is a combination cream of hydroquinone, retin-a, and hydrocortisone. It is also prescription only.

Obagi is good but you have to be very, very consistent with it...every day morning and night. I feel like the minute you stop using it, it stops working.

Also, IPL can be problematic for ethnic skin and can actually cause more pigmentation if the operator is not careful.

OMG, I didn''t know that!! Wow, I wonder if that''s what''s been happening?! OMG!!

I will ask the dermatologist about these treatments. Thanks for the recommendation. Yes, these brown spots are such toughie''s. It''s been impossible to have them removed. Hopefully, some of the recommendations here will work. They''ll HAVE to work. I''m so sick of them!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/23/2009 8:17:26 AM
Author: simplysplendid

Date: 3/22/2009 2:14:45 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 3/21/2009 6:21:38 AM
Author: simplysplendid
I had skin sensitivities which I had to see a skin specialist for. I visited a skin specialist at Mount Elizabeth hospital and during one of my visits, I chatted with a middle aged lady. That lady had spent thousands of dollars trying to fix her brown or dark spots on her face without success at beauty parlours and on creams but according to her, the skin specialist fixed her problem. Have you tried to consult a specialist in this field?

SS, what''s the name of this skin specialist? Can you recommend him/ her to me?

Thanks.

Hi, I guess it should be ok to mention this on the forum since his contact is found on the Mt E website anyway. He is Dr Oon Beng Bee, quite a senior and experienced doctor.

Thank you, SS. I appreciate the infor. I willl look him up.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/23/2009 4:33:39 PM
Author: elrohwen
I also have problems with lots of brown pigmentation on my face and arms.

Oh wait, those are freckles.

Still haven''t figured out how to get rid of them.

You''re so cute. I think freckles are cute (whilst brown spots aren''t).

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/24/2009 9:53:04 PM
Author:
Assuming you are talking about melasma.
Sounds like you have tried the hydroquinone ('whitening cream')

If you really want the best tx, I recommend that you see a dermatologist (dermatologist only for you IMO) for this - a combo of prescription strength retinoids and possibly an initial chemical peel to speed things up - the derm would have to see you to say. Definitely keep up the sunscreen - not only for the melasma, but also for general skin protection and to protect the skin if you go on topical retinoids. Make sure you have both UVB and UVA protection.

Interesting you are on thyroxine - thyroid issues have been associated with melasma - wonder if maybe you were having issues before you knew it?
Also some make up can actually make it worse... (I actually once had a young male model that had horrible melasma associated with the makeup he wore (even when not working) - can't remember the brand, but I believe it was definitely a big factor in it)

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I think I'm talking about melasma, and I'm not sure I've tried hydroquinone.

I have been seeing so many dermatologists and have had chemical peels, laser, microdermabrasion, you name it. I do wear sunscreen religiously everyday and generally avoid being out of the sun for longer than 5-10 mins at a time. I use Estee Lauder or Clinique which I think have both UVA and UVB protection.

Hmmm, I didn't know about thyroid causing melasma. That's another thing I need!

I'll def look it up and ask my endocrinologist as well as the dermatologist (I'm going to see the Dr that SS recommended) and see what they say. I wouldn't be surprised if it did. Thanks for letting me know abt it. I never would have thought. The blasted thyroid problem!

Make-up wise, I wear mostly Chanel, Clinique, Estee Lauder and Shisheido. I wonder if anyone of them is making my brown spots worse. I wonder if one can find out?). But it is def worth considering using bare minerals foundation, like innerkitty has recommended (if I can find it here. Hopefully I can).

 

[Phoenix]

Thanks again, everyone, for having given me great advice.

I''ve made an appointment with a dermatologist for next week and in the meantime, am researching bare mineral foundations and bio-oil. I''m also thinking of SK-II, it seems to have great review here in Asia.

Will update you later.

Cheers.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

I just read about something kinda new...Efudex. It is actually FDA approved for actinic/solar keratoses (can be brown spots). It is a skin cancer treatment...I think it treats the pre-cancerous cells, which when cells get damaged by the sun, they go haywire and can cause the spots. I think it is a pretty intense treatment - the before and afters on the website are pretty crazy. I would definitely ask a dermatologist about it, and not go on it unless you were under their care.

 

[October2008bride]

Not sure if anyone will see this, but for those of you who use Bio-Oil - how much do you put on? I tried last night and I think I used too much. Are we talking one or two drops?

Thanks!

 

[pocahontas]

Date: 4/9/2009 11:36:16 PM
Author: october2008bride
Not sure if anyone will see this, but for those of you who use Bio-Oil - how much do you put on? I tried last night and I think I used too much. Are we talking one or two drops?

Thanks!

October2008bride, yep my mom and sister use two to three drops the most - just enough to feel it, but not so much that you're feeling like your face is greasy. I would try two drops first and then go for the third if you feel like you need it. Surprisingly, a little really does go a long way with this stuff. According to my mom and sis, you should be putting enough to be absorbed into your skin leaving it feeling moisturized, but you shouldn't be able to wipe grease off. I hope that helps.