★★★★★
Hormone Cause
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Prescription Drugs
★★★★★
Apricot Kernel Oil cured my blotchy skin! Use a few drops as your regular face moisturizer.1-2t imes/week for about 6 months worked for me :) I'm 22 and tan very well, but every summer when I would start showing colour the skin on my face would get terribly blotchy. Lots of people told me that it was just the pigment of my skin and there was nothing I could do. My sister who also would get blotchy tanned skin noticed that after using Apricot Kernel Oil as a moisterizer on her face no longer had the same trouble that year. I stared in January and I can gladly say its the end of August and this is the first summer my face has a wonderfully even tan! (I still use sunsrcreen everday of course)
MSM, Apple Cider Vinegar
I care
Alfred
Copper Connection to Melasma
But seriously, I think what happened was, I stopped caring. I stopped obsessing over it. I started loving myself more. I believed my body could just heal itself and that paying attention to it was only making it worse. Anyway, it was there for, oh, maybe 5 years? I tried everything, almost. Seriously I write this to give hope to other people that it can really just go away. I realized it was going away a few months ago, but wasn't sure what would happen when warmer weather came. But I know now. I have been in the sun plenty of times without sunscreen. Also with sunscreen. I mean like daily hour long hikes on sunny days. I don't fear it anymore. It's just gone. I assume the last little spot on my forehead, maybe half an inch by half an inch will be gone soon enough - it's way shrunken down from what it was before - it's literally vanishing. Anyway, it just started going away by itself as far as I can tell. My body is just healing itself. Please don't obsess over it, tell yourself daily you love yourself anyway, ignore it. I am pretty healthy, I eat well, but I'm no fanatic. I think the more we worry the worse it gets. I think when we let go, and believe it can heal but don't mind anymore... it will just go away.
Good luck! ES
Supplements
★★★★☆
i also use the derma roller on my skin for about 2 weeks now and it had not had this effect.
after i use the roller i apply castor oil and do a acupressure type massage and then apply msm lotion and then dmso on my face.
i am a raw vegan foodie and drink black coffee in the morning to get angry enuf to practice law in nyc. i am also a big fan of cacao (chocolaholic) not milk chocolate-the real stuff.
i am a long distance runner, am 51 and look 35 and spend loads of time in the sun.
no matter what i did i could not get rid of the dark spots that first started on my lip because of the waxing and then all of the other procedures to get rid of the hairs on my lip which i believe started because of minoxidol and then menopause which started at 49.
my hair started thinning at about 37 and now i have a full head of very long hair but it found its way to my eyebrows (which i like) and my lip which i do not like.
so i am now relegated to using that teeny tiny razor, uggh, very embarassing to admit, and thus the stain....have not used the minoxidol for about two days, since i learned that rubbing my nail beds together for 5 mins a day, stopped the hair loss when i use the flat iron.
whew, i know that is a lot of info but i am so happy i cannot stop writing.
Thank you for existing Earth Clinic. Thanx community of very beautiful givers on this site. If anybody needs anything from me reach me at [email protected].
BTW, i am olive skinned but with the yellow undertone, latina, brown hair and so very humbled and happy. i can't wait to go out, i had been staying home because of shame and thought everyone was looking at my lip.
lovlov,
reina
I am more than happy to answer your questions:
1) I took the liver detox (which does have milk thistle),in liquid form, about an hour before sleep, but not with other meds
2) GSE -- I take 20 drops 3 to 5 times a day, don't eat anything for about an hour afterwards
3) Yes, I did get flu like symptoms sometimes, but I think that was from the MSM, not GSE (I am fine now) I think my body was getting rid of a lot of toxins when first started taking the MSM, but now I am fine
4) I did not have any constipation problems. I think this is due to the fact that I take acidopolis (powder form), 1/4 teaspoon, in a glass of water once a day, at separate times than the GSE. The acidopolis puts back the good bacteria, which the GSE may kill (although, it is only a small amount of good bacteria which GSE kills).
5) I am originally from the South Pacific of Indian background, so giving up tea or any sort of caffeine is not plausible (LOL).
I hope this helps you. I know how debilitating this condition can be but believe me, hon, there is hope, don't give up! You have to keep at it, it could take anywhere from three to six months to see visible results (although, some people have seen results before than). You can lessen the effects of the GSE die off, by taking the acidoplis at separate times. You may get some flu like symptoms, but once your body gets used to it, you will be fine. On another note, just make sure you are not allergic to any citrus because if you are DO NOT TAKE the GSE.
Take care,
and keep me posted as to your results.
Warmest Regards,
Gigi
Horseradish
★★★★★
It scared me at first because I put it on 3 times for twenty minutes in a 36 hour period and it got so much darker and stayed that way, so I cursed my decision and fate. However, it peeled off within two weeks, similar to a sunburns peel (and close to what IPL does to freckles) and was lighter. Since then I experimented with the best way to administer it, and I know the goal is to just irritate the skin enough to get it to peel. For me with fair skin, I now cake it on the affected areas and leave it for an hour and fifteen minutes or so and then wait a week while it peels.
I recommend starting slowly by doing it once for fifteen minutes and then waiting a week or two to check the effect, Slowly increase either frequency or duration until you know what it takes to get a peel and then go with that. Although it burns fairly painfully to leave it on longer, I prefer one long dose because it's such a pain to put the stuff on and have it on your skin. Just go slow, and trust that it will work, for which I am so grateful to this site and other natural sites for turning me on to. Good luck.
Onion Juice, Hydrogen Peroxide
If u still check this site, can u tell me how is ur Melasma now?
Grapefruit Seed Extract
★☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
I am glad to give you another update! yes my melasma has gotten better, in fact its so faded that even I have a hard time seeing where the out lines of the melasma are!! I was taking 1000mg of grapeseed extract. I buy it at my local health food store (you wont find that dose at the drug stores). It is in capsules and found in a white bottle with purple and black writing. Each capsule is 500mg and I take 2 pills at the same time once a day.
I have just recently stopped taking grapeseed extract only because my skin is so much better. I have been off of the grapeseed for about 3 weeks now. It has not gotten worse, although where I am the sun isnt out too much right now it is raining alot and if not raining then its cloudy. I will have to wait untill spring and summer to see if it comes back. I was also told, that if you start taking grapeseed extract a month before all the nice weather starts it could prevent the melasma from comming back. I will have to test that in a few months, but right now I feel great about the way my skin looks. One of the other benifits to taking the grapeseed extract as well as aloe vera juice I have noticed my acne hasnt been as bad. Although it did get a little worse before it got better (the acne) I think it may have something to do with all the cleansing of the body that both grapeseed and aloe do (so Ive heard)..
I will keep you posted
Leah
Grapefruit Seed Extract, MSM
★★★★☆
★☆☆☆☆
I started taking GSE since May 14th 15 drops 3 times a day. I have seen very little change. I am not figting up hope, i will keep trying for another couple of months and keep you all posted. I had mesalma for a long period of time over 15 years. I will start takig mega doses of vitamin c as well. Please any one has advice?..very desperate..thanks.
★★★★★
Still, I didn't get rid of the melasma completely. I was having other problems too, such as acne, stomach problems, numbness and migraines, etc. so I saw a nutritionist who put me on a food plan to cleanse my system. It was only $120 to see the nutritionist and I've been on this plan for a couple of months. I notice HUGE improvements overall. I feel wonderful! She suggested fasting, but I haven't done it yet.
I pretty much cut everything out of my diet (wheat, dairy, sugar), I have great recipes to follow which contain mostly fruits, vegetables, brown rice or brown rice pasta and raw nuts (some lean meats). I try to buy mostly organic when I can afford it. I have my fruit in my morning smoothie and I add Nature's Plus Source of Life daily and KYO green. At night I take flaxseed oil, milk thistle and probiotics.
I think you not only have to treat the skin on the outside, but on the inside too! I wish I could share my food plan with all of you!!!
Good luck!
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
★★★★★
Grapefruit Seed Extract
I don't know if I can mention brands, but I was taking the NutriBiotic original GSE liquid concentrate unfiltered formula (10 drops contain 100mg) which I purchased at a Whole Foods supermarket, to be taken 5-15 drops in 5oz. or more of water or juice 1-3 times daily, with or without meals.
My melasma was on the sides of my forehead, very pronounced on my nose, some on my upper cheek bones and somewhat around my mouth. And, yes, it is all gone, except for one tiny spot on my nose where it was the most pronounced. I had gone on vacation for three weeks and had stopped using the GSE. The Melasma has not returned, but I have started up again on GSE to get that one spot left on my nose. No, I don't use sunscreen. I don't like to use chemicals anywhere on my skin. I use hats during the sun's peak hours. If you decide to try it, I hope it works for you, as well as it did for me. Do remember though, that you would also have to address your internal terrain. Going on an internal cleanse to flush out your colon and liver would greatly benefit your overall health. My best to you.
TO LAURA FROM WICHITA,KS
Laura, I was using 15-20 drops of liquid GSE extract (the natural citricidal kind)five times a day on an empty stomach (10 drops100mg for a total of 750mg-1000mg daily). I started with 20 drops three times a day, for a few days, increased to 20 drops five times a day for a few weeks, then tapered off to 15 drops five times a day. I prefer the liquid GSE because, in my opinion, it is more easily absorbed and perhaps faster acting. If taken on an empty stomach, you do have to increase gradually because otherwise you might experience some mild stomach acidity. I don't know if you will get the same results with tablets or capsules. Just try it and if it doesn't work then switch to liquid and see if it works better for you. Do be aware, though, that the liquid extract tastes bitter. If you do an internet search on the benefits of GSE, you will see that it states it does not affect beneficial intestinal flora; however, I took probiotics at separate times, just as a precautionary measure.
I have never tried the MSM. Joyce from Joelton and Ted highly recommend it, and they are very knowledgeable, so I am sure that would help, too. I wish you the best at resolving your skin condition. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit Seed Extract
★★★★☆
I have had melasma all over my face for about 5 years. I have tried all of the expensive topical treatments and peels with only temporary success. I discovered this website back in May and have since tried many of the remedies recommended here. I have also started seeing a Naturopathic Doctor, which has been very helpful (although quite pricey$$). She discovered I have a hormone inbalance and she thinks this is the reason I have the melasma (as well as some pretty bad PMS symptoms). I am taking vitex along with other supplements to correct my hormone inbalance (I am estrogen dominant). I am also taking Vitamin C, MSM, a multi-vitamin, Pycnogenol, Zinc, Copper, Probiotics, Fish Oil, and using ACV topically. I have tried the GSE, horseradish, hydrogen peroxide masks and Kefir, but that didn't do anything for me.
For me the fish oil and probiotics have been key to helping my skin. My melasma has lightened quite a bit, but I think this is also due to shifting my diet. I did a 2 week liver detox and have tried to stay away from sugar, wheat, dairy, red meats, alcohol and caffeine since then. I know that sounds like a lot and no fun, but it has made me feel a whole lot better and I think my skin is getting better. I have been eating mostly veggies, beans, fruits, grains and beans. I am not completely strict on this, and I still like to go out and have pizza and beer on the weekends, but I do notice that my brown spots look darker the next day when I do.
Another thing I have done is to shift my beuty products to all natural ones -ACV, coconut oil and natural makeups and SPF (look up EWG.org to find out if your products have irritating chemicals in them). I recently heard about topical niacinamide (vitamin B3), which is supposed to act much in the same way as Retin A by curing acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, but it is completely natural and is very inexpensive. Just google the natural spray form. I am definitely going to give it a try and I will report on my progress. Good luck to everyone else -this is a difficult battle! (I do have to put things in perspective sometimes and think -things could be a lot worse ;)
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
