Melasma Remedies

I am also olive skinned, and have used all the lotions, and potions under the sun, and the only thing that worked for me is GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT, not GRAPESEED EXTRACT. I used (and am still using) the liquid, 20 drops from 3-5 times a day, in a glass of water, and don't eat anything for about an hour. At a separate time I take acidopilis, which is "good" bacteria. I also take MSM caps (1000mg) with VITAMIN C (1000mg), 3 times a day (I take these together with meals). Also before bed I take a herbal liver cleanse liquid (which I purchased at Health food store), one large tablespoon. Actually, all these products can be purchased at the local health food store. I am not sure if I can mention that Nutribiotic was the brand for the GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT. My melasma broke up initially after about 10 days of everyday use, and it has been about 3 plus weeks, and my melasma has almost disappeared. I do use sunsreen everyday, SPF 30, as over this amount is only a marketing ploy,and is not anymore effective, just costs more $$$$. I also use NIVEA cream as it has Magnesium sulfate in the mixture, during the day. At night I use Retin A 0.05% cream, as it turns over the cells at a faster rate. I know Marea did not apply any type of topical, and found that worked for her the best. Everyone's skin is different, but this is the regime which worked for me.

Also on another note, HQ over long term use makes the complexion ashy, and some users have found that the melasma returns worse after you discontinue use. Also, more hair growth on area where used was observed. I was a user of HQ for years, and it did not work wonders, only got darker after use discontinued. Has been banned in countries such as Japan, and Europe, found to be a carcinogenic. FDA wanted to ban it in U.S.A. but pressure from MD's and Derms who make a whole lot of business from seeing patients who demand HQ. To everyone reading this post, please do not use HQ!

I hope this helps you! Let me know.
Warm Regards,
Gigi

Marea, I have had melasma since I was 14. At 29 it has grown to a disturbing extent. I have tried every medical and herbal/alternative doctor I could find and used every remedy anyone and everyone has advised. (The funniest was when a woman once came up to me at an airport and said to use the inside of a mango seed)

All I have ever noticed is slight lightening of the marks and eventually (due to stress, sun, etc etc) they darken again and grow larger and thicker.

The last medical doctor I saw told me they can ONLY lighten and I have to live with th fungus family and they will get worse if/when I have children,so I should be prepared (life just gets better!). The last herbal doctor I went to told me to be patient. I spent 2 years on her medicine and saw a little peeling after a few months and eventually it all returned...

And then around the end of 2008, I read your thread...
Marea, YOUR GSE remedy is the first time I have SEEN results.

Bless You Marea, I cannot thank you enough. I ordered Grapefruit Seed Extract from America and started with a few drops and as you said, it did play havoc on my stomach. So I was on and off it trying to control the nausea and bloating, and simulaneously I did see breaking up and peeling within the first week. When I increased it to 15 drops in 5oz of water Three times a day, the results have been phenomenal! My back now has huge clear spots where the fungus family had been squatting for years! In other areas I can see dramatic breaking up and watch with amazement every morning as the clear spots get bigger and bigger. (it is on 70% of my back and 30% of my front and sides of my face and scalp..eyuu)

I do get bloated and feel nausea (I wont even get into the ITCHING stories). I have had sleep issues as well. I am thinking it must be the need for an internal cleanse as you had stated. I started taking acidophillus tablets alongside the GSE (but at a separate time of day from the GSE) I now started taking physillum husk in a glass of water (internal cleanse attempt). I could not find bentonite (for a colon cleanse) yet so I have ordered that from America.

After starting the fibre, I felt more nauseous, but the next day my sleep had improved, skin is generally looking fresher (even my under eye bags). Yesterday I felt a strange euphoria. From what I have read, I believe the dead bacteria that was left in my system must have been removed or reduced by the fibre leading to these positive effects.

Do you think you can give some more guidance on the internal cleanse and diet you followed? What kind of acidophillus and how many tablets daily? Can you be more specific on the type of internal cleanse you did and what diet you followed?

Marea, I honestly send you so many blessings everytime I see progress. And whoever founded this forum, thank you!

Clear skin by my 30th birthday..., everytime I think about it feels surreal.
(I must sound like a commercial:))

This is the only place where I found a sincere remedy. Many many thanks :)

I have been out in the sun, and wear hats/sunscreen and it has not gotten any darker. Last summer mine would get darker no matter how much sun protection I used, I was pregnant then. I have had it for going on 5 years now, prior to my pregnancies.

I wanted to write in about the GSE liquid. The lady at the health food store suggested some Empty Gelatin Capsule's and they are the ticket. The GSE is bitter, and does not taste good at all, so the capsules really make the whole experience much better. I am still taking the MSM -2,000mg once a day, and 2 -Cranberry pills 475 mg twice a day pills instead of Vitamin C. And the GSE 20 drops 3 times a day, and plan to increase as everyone recommends.

I will report back on my results in a week or so, but wanted to let everyone know about the Gelatin Capsule's. Keep posting this wonderful information! I want to thank everyone! It has helped so many people including me.

Mine is so much better than before, not gone, but much, much less noticeable and ALMOST gone!