Advice or Experience with Sun Spots on My Face or "Over Pigmentation"

First always see a dermatologist when anything new appears or any changes. You never know when that spot could be something really serious.
With that being said, I have had these "sun spots" for about 10yrs. The doc told me they are referred to as a "pregnancy mask" I don't remember what the technical term was (FYI--I was not pregnant when this appeared, it was from the birth control pills). I was also told once I stopped taking birth control pills or I wasn't pregnant it would fade away--yeah right! I tried Lustra bleaching cream a while back, I really didn't notice a difference. But to keep it from getting worse, I use a high spf sunscreen everyday and reapply if I'm going to be out in the sun.

I would love to send you a five day system of our antiaging line... im not sure five days would get rid of your sun spot but you will be able to see i you like the product... i got into because it worked on my moms sun spot... she had it burned off twice and started using this serum and it was so much lighter... just email me your address and i will get it to you.. thanks L. ____@____.com oh its arbonne.....

Hi T.. I also have melasma. Yes, it's caused by overexposure to the sun along with other causes. I went to a dermatologist and had a full facial review and there are a couple of options. Like someone else mentioned above, once you have melasma, it's there to stay. However, you can help lighten the spots. I have done triluna cream, exfoliants, and microdermabrasion. They all work. But the catch is this: even with a strong sunscreen, once you are back in the sun, even going for a walk, they come back. I take the following precautions:
1. Always wear sunscreen (30 SPF+) and make sure it's in addition to a moisturizer with sunscreen. Even moisturizers (or makeup) that claim 30 SPF don't really provide that level of protection. I researched this thoroughly. Zinc oxide is really the best.
2. Wear a hat. Yes, it feels dorky to be wearing a wide brim hat in some situations but I guess it's a personal choice. Even with a wide hat in the water, the spots resurface somehow. They're very insistent.
3. Exfoliate but be careful not to overdo it and remember skin is most delicate right after exfoliation. I do it weekly on a day I won't be outside. Even being in the car exposes you to the sun (and yes, even on cloudy days). I wear an OTC lightening cream plus do a weekly exfoliation at home.
4. Try a sunless tanning product on your face to help even out the color. They do darken your spots too but it helps when the rest of my body have been exposed to the sun. I'm very active and spend a lot of time outside (thus wearing a hat and sunscreen).
5. Remember that water is reflective so during the summer, be careful when swimming and find a hat that works plus never forget your sunblock.

Good luck! Now I understand why my mother got so much on my case about wearing sunscreen and avoiding the sun ... All those hours I spent laying out and going to a tanning booth, lol. Now it's my turn to teach my girls.

My Mother has had this issue and for several days she would open a vitamin E capsule and rub the "oil" on her spots, they disappeared. I do not remember how many days it took but will ask and edit this response if she remembers. Good luck

Hi T.,

It's always a good idea to get any skin changes checked by a dermatologist. Better safe than sorry... those babies and your husband need and want you healthy!

Good luck! jenifer

I also had dark spots on my face and was told to make sure that I use sunblock everyday. Doing this, alone, has faded the spots tremendously. It didn't happen over night, but it did happen. I wish I would have been doing this a long time ago.

Hi T.,
I had these too (still slightly do) and they are basically "age spots" (yes, LOVE that phrase) from having children - the hormones from pregnancy. I saw my dermatologist and it is cosmetic and nothing that insurance will pay for to fix. You might still consult a dermatologist because of all the things that happen with your skin with pregnancy.
After I had my last child, I had two treatments of Photo Facial and have been VERY happy with the results - smoother skin, slightly fewer fine wrinkles and no dark age spots. Plus my freckles have faded out too. Treatment is usually $300 each, but a special was being run, so I got it half off each time. This was a gift to myself for V-day and my birthday.
Anyway, if you seriously look into this, make sure they have a state of the art machine and know what they are doing. You don't have to have licensing of any kind to administer this treatment, so I recommend seeing a physician's office for it. I went to Dr. Romero's office at Willowbrook Methodist and it was great. They have changed the administrator of it now to an anesthitist (sp), so I can't speak to her. They do have the most high tech machine though.
I expect lots of specials on cosmetic stuff in these hard times - just watch what you get.

I'm so sorry I can't tell you that they will go away!!

Oh, and previously I'd used an expensive bleach cream, but it takes months of daily usage and I wasn't really seeing much results.

Good luck!

I experienced hyper-pigmentation after pregnancy along with sun damage. My esthetician prescribed a series of 7 microdermabrasion treatments and then a chemical peel (which is hardly as abrasive as it sounds. Very simple, painless and effective actually!) I noticed no one was mentioning the effectiveness of a chemical peel, so I wanted to respond to you ASAP.

I am a huge fan of the PCA line. Effective, affordable compared to the competition, and great overall products! Click this link where they talk about hyperpigmentation -- http://pcaskin.com/newsHyperpigmentation.aspx

After the microderm treatments, I learned that I could have just done a few chemical peels to attack the issues more directly, but at the time, I was breastfeeding and my esthetician was not comfortable using chemicals on me! So head straight for the chemical peels!! You will be amazed at the results!

I've heard Aziz spa in Austin has a great esthetician (and they are more medical than cosmetic). Better though is Buckingham Center. Your best off getting your peels done with a plastic surgeon or medically certified office vs. a spa/salon.
http://www.buckinghamfacialplastics.com/pca.html

Congrats on taking care of your skin!~ You'll love your new look.

I tend to have uneven pigmentation and Luminosity by Avon seems to work well for me. If I go long without using it, the spots come back. I don't sell Avon, but you can always go online, or find a local Avon lady and try some samples first.

Have you tried Arbonne? These are the best products, we have an anti-aging line that will help. The serum fades age/sun spots and all our products are botanically based. I would love to talk to you more, please give me a call. I can get you a sample or you can order..you have a 45 day money back guarentee if you are not satisfied. I also have a coupon on this website for mamasource members!!!
Please feel free to call me with any questions.
C. B.
###-###-####
www.corissabell.myarbonne.com

Hi T.,
Microdermabrasion doesn't work for this at all ('Melasma', 'Mask of Pregnancy'). Lightening creams works to an extent, but what really worked was LASER FACIALS- they are expensive, I wouldn't get them unless you were done having babies. But they work. call a medspa, they may cut you a deal for a package, or for the fact thats it's just for a few spots.

I am an Esthetician and first off use sunscreen everyday it is your best anti-aging product and then moisturize at night. There really is no cream that will remove dark spots only fade them. They will reappear when you stop using the cream or forget sunscreen. You could go to a cosmetic dermatologist for suggestions. I have used Avon's skin resurfacing pads and they are good. They brighten up the skin. I am fair haired with red hair so I know a lot about freckles etc...
my suggestion is exfoliate and use good sunscreen.

Are you fair skinned? I am, and any change in skin color I have the dermo. check, because of skin cancer. It is best to be safe and keep a history of the changes. Please use make up with a sun screen and wear a hat or visor when outside.
I am now paying for growing up in an era that did not have sun screen. I taught swimming lessons (12-15) for years, lifeguarded through my college year summers (5) and taught sailing (1). I did have to tan a little each day, working up to longer times out in the sun, but this red head did tan, but I don't have to now.
My daughter has fairer skin than I do, so I was careful to always put sunscreen on her (with her only have 2 'bad' burns in her growing up years). Now she does spray on tan.
Her daughter tans as soon as she walks outside, but she knows that she is to have sunscreen on any time she is out side, at the pool or beach, and she is very good at reminding you that she needs it on!

I've had 5 pregnancies and my oldest is 6- I have the brown spots too from the hormones. I found that the micro derm set from Mary Kay seems to help.

S.

Hi T.,

Dark spots and skin discoloration are often caused by sun exposure or irritation associated with acne blemishes (on bronze skin tones). These triggers activate pigment-producing cells that form melanin, which eventually travels to the surface of the skin, causing freckles, dark spots and uneven coloration to appear. When you can interrupt the appearance of melanin on the surface of your skin, the result is more even skin tone.

Mary Kay TimeWise® Even Complexion Essence actually helps to reduce visible dark spots and reverse skin discoloration to restore skin’s natural, even tone. To receive maximum benefits and to help prevent further damage, it’s essential to use an SPF product, such as TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25†, in addition to TimeWise® Even Complexion Essence.

I'd be happy to assist you with this T.. Please visit my website at www.marykay.com/awisnoski. As always, shipping is free and there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee!!!

I have had malasma for 4 years and have tried everything under the sun but went to the dermatolist and found that the only thing that worked for me was Tri-luma. It is a prescrption but can buy in on line. ____@____.com

Hi T.,

I am a Certified Skin Care Analyst. Anna does describe how sun spots occur. Simply proper skin care and sun protection is needed to prevent this from occurring. There is no need to "burn" your spots off as this can be very dangerous and does not solve the issue of other spots from surfacing - there are layers of these pigmentation that will surface over a period of time - as that is how the damage occurred in the first place. If you wish to know the "damage" I can help you and prescribe a treatment that is effective - You will able to check your progress to confirm it.

However some spots can be an indication of Cancer. If Skin Cancer runs in your family then I would say "Yes" go to a dermatologist or get referred to a specialist because a separate treatment will be needed if it is cancer.

A Microdermabrasion will help to exfoliate. A good microdermabrasion will effect several layers beneath your skin and helps make your skin more smooth and even. This will not help even or remove the coloring of your pigmentation. If you still wish to lookin for a Microdermabrasion... make sure its not made of clay as this can be harsh for your skin & be irritable (dont get me wrong clay can be a "good top layer exfoliatant" but not to be used more than once a week). You will need a good skin smoothing agent and a moisturizer following the treatment - otherwise you may cause your face to create more oils then you naturally do and will face excessive breakouts... Note some breakouts are normal with deep tissue treatments.

I hope this is helpful and good luck in choices!

T., I just want to comment on how the Arbonne Anti-Aging skin care system works to lighten the dark spots on your face. You really should contact one of the other consultants who has already responded, because an Arbonne client of mine had tried everything, topical, that had been recommended by friends and dermatologists, and she is AMAZED at how the spots have disappeared, in about 4 months! When her mother came to visit from Mexico at Christmas, the first thing she said was, "YOUR SPOTS ARE GONE ON YOUR FACE"!!!
Blessings,
S.

I have skin care that will help you with your discoloration problems you can get infomation online check out my webpage.
www.RJefferson3.qhealthbeauty.com let me know what you think.

T.,
I would love to invite you to visit the BeautiControl website and check out their advanced anti-aging treatments - very affordable! You need a multi part system that works on the inside and on the surface. I would recommend the Resurfacing Duo of Multi-Acid Peel and Microderm Abrasion to exfoliate the skin rapidly. And the Regeneration Recovery Overnight Serum to loosen the damaged cells and bring them to the surface quicker, and the Brightening Elixer to fade the spots on the surface. You will get AMAZING results! Let me know if I can answer any questions.
www.beautipage.com/bethpadgett

I have the exact same thing and would love to hear what anyone says. I do know there is a lotion type dye that you can get at a dermatologist. It's acts sort of like a bleaching agent. Thing is, it's pretty toxic, but in tiny amounts might be OK I guess. I'm pretty sure it's used all the time tho.

Hi T.,
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this issue, and I may be able to help. I'm a fellow mom with a 7 week old daughter, and I'm a consultant with Arbonne International. We have botanically based skincare, health, and wellness products, and our anti-aging line has some wonderful products that help with sun spots and help to even out skin tone too. Would you like me to send you a sample to try to see if it helps? No pressure, and I'd love your feedback! Please let me know if I can help you out!