Covering up brown spots

[Colleen]

I was in Hawaii for vacation and instead of getting a tan my face just got more splotchy. I am trying to lighten the spots with the vitamin c serum. Until than what color concealer would help? It is especially bad since the most brown is on the top of my cheekbones which makes my blush look darker there where you generally want it to be lighter on your cheekbones. I have tried putting the highlighter there but I don't think it really helps. I have been using a green concealer all over for redness and that helps some I am just wondering if something else would be better. Thanks.

[Cupcake]

I'm not honestly sure, but to counter-act brown, the colour that comes to mind is blue. Brown plus blue equals black - i.e. neutral. Sheer guess, but it you could add a very light lavender-blue concealer, that should soften the darkness and neutralise the colour. In theory, adding a hint of glow / pearl to that concealer should also reflect the light from it, a la the early days of using pearl beige as a mineral substitute for YSL touche eclat / illuminating light reflecting concealer. Adding a highlighter over the whole area would draw attention to it, but dabbing on a pearly (not shimmery) blue-lavender concealer should help.

I *think* the Super Serum also has properties which help counter-act sun damage / darkening. Good luck, mate.

[superwahz]

Ugh, my skin does that too! When I was on the pill it was even worse, I got that "pregnancy mask" that some women get from the sun when pregnant...especially across my cheeks and forehead. When we lived in Hawaii for 3 years when I was about 12, my cheeks looked sunburned the entire time, and that's the area I have my worst sun damage in. Guess that's what I get for having fair skin and high cheekbones.

I have no clue what will cover it, I just use the medium foundation base, zinc, and sunscreen underneath if I can predict when I'm going to get a lot of sun. I've been thinking about trying the Vitamin C serum to lighten it and the other spots I have from sun damage. Let me know if it works for you!

[zeebs]

Yeah, blue or lavender concealer is a good suggestion... in terms of short-term coverage, probably that, or you could mix (with the heavy-coverage foundation) a few shades lighter than your natural color for the areas you're concerned about.

In terms of long-term... of course all the topical treatments that have been suggested, but also being super conscientious about nutrition, also, coconut oil can be good for preventing/healing sun damage (of course it's not a miracle cure) so over time you might find the patches lightening. Vitamin A and E and other antioxidants (taken internally) may help prevent sunburn. Zinc powder, of course, too, for possible added protection against further exposure.

That is of course assuming that medication or disease is not the cause of the spots. A dermatologist would be my recommendation in that case

[heidiv23323]

My number 1 suggestion would be to wear sunscreen religiously. Those brown spots will not budge if you don't protect your skin from the sun. I've had melasma (can be from the pill, hormone imbalance, too much sun after waxing, facial hair removers etc) for at least 8 years. Please, do not try to scrub them off or use any type of dermabrasion it can make matters a lot worse. Viatmin C will help fade them but it will take time. Please be consistent, use sunscreen every day (at least an spf 30) and treat your skin gently. If you don't, it can get much worse and spread. When you do have to be out in the sun for long periods, wear something stronger and make sure you reapply. You can also go to the derm but I'd suggest the things above first. A lot of derms (depending on where you live) are not that familiar with Melasma and suggest treatments that can make things worse. Laser treatments or IPL did not work for me and made mine spread from one small spot on my forehead to now almost covers the whole thing.

Good luck,
Heidi

[Colleen]

I did try the lavender concealer and I think it helped some. It's frustrating because I am very good about wearing sunscreen everyday even if I don't plan to leave the house. I of course wore a high spf in Hawaii and reapplied often. Hopefully the vitamin c serum will help if I can just be patient. I really think once I put on my makeup that no one else would notice the spots, I just know where they all are so I can still see them. Thanks for the advice.

[Colleen]

My number 1 suggestion would be to wear sunscreen religiously. Those brown spots will not budge if you don't protect your skin from the sun. I've had melasma (can be from the pill, hormone imbalance, too much sun after waxing, facial hair removers etc) for at least 8 years. Please, do not try to scrub them off or use any type of dermabrasion it can make matters a lot worse. Viatmin C will help fade them but it will take time. Please be consistent, use sunscreen every day (at least an spf 30) and treat your skin gently. If you don't, it can get much worse and spread. When you do have to be out in the sun for long periods, wear something stronger and make sure you reapply. You can also go to the derm but I'd suggest the things above first. A lot of derms (depending on where you live) are not that familiar with Melasma and suggest treatments that can make things worse. Laser treatments or IPL did not work for me and made mine spread from one small spot on my forehead to now almost covers the whole thing.

Good luck,
Heidi

I'm sorry that happened to you. I definitely don't want to do that. I don't think it is bad enough that I need to go to the derm. I am probably the only one who notices. It doesn't look as dark now as when I was in Hawaii. It seemed like right when I would come in from the beach it looked really dark but then was less noticeable later on.

[JenK]

I too suffer from melasma (bad the last 4 years on my cheeks and upper lip). I don't try to cover it up, figure it will look worse. I just use Perfecting Powder. I have been using Super Serum and Vit c (face lift serum) and it has gotten lighter. There are several products from Gow that help. My Doc was against using the RX tri-luna, thins the skin and comes back for most after stopping. I now people that love it. Sunscreen and a giant hat work best for me.

[kitten1711]

Hi Colleen,

Yep, I've got melasma too and have had it for the past 6 or 7 years - sounds like mine is in exactly the same place as yours, across my cheekbones and also in a splodge in the centre of my forehead above the bridge of my nose.

I have found that Super Serum (and other topical, non prescription products) has helped to fade it somewhat but the problem with having skin that tans easily is that anytime I go out in the sun - even running errands - I pick up some colour. I wear spf50 broad spectrum UVA&B mineral based sun protection in the spring & summer religiouly (as I live in the UK it's the only time the sun is vaguely strong, but even in autum & winter an spf25) and on very sunny days top that off with SN zinc powder, and most importantly a wide brimmed hat. Since there is no such thing as 'total' sunblock the hat is what has made the most noticeable difference for me (that, and a pair of big shades with 100% UV protection lenses which cover the top part of the melasma).

Covering it up with cosmetics is difficult and I have given up trying to do this as everything I do makes it seem more obvious - I was referred some time ago by my Doctor to a lady who specialises in camouflage makeup for patients with facial port wine birth marks, burns etc (this is a few years back when it was much worse); she reckoned that whilst lilac/blue is the shade which SHOULD cover brown marks, on its own it can often just make the skin appear ashy (same goes for using a lighter shade of foundation), so a strong yellow is then applied over the top (or sometimes alone, dependent on what suits your skin best). It did work, but I hated the heavy feel of all the products on my skin needed to actually create a 'flawless' finish.

So I concentrate on making my skin as good as possible - good nutrition (most of the time), treat it gently (no scrubbing or harsh products), and use a light dusting of foundation to even things out a bit or perhaps a perfecting powder of some description. It is easier and more convincing, particularly in summer, to match the rest of your face with the melasma, rather than trying to lighten the appearance of the melasma to tone in with your face - maybe try using a natural self tanning product on the paler areas of your skin, or a deeper shade of tinted moisturiser/gel bronzer applied very sparingly on the lighter parts - I've found both of these methods work to reduce the contrast between the darker patches and the surrounding skin.

Txx

[superwahz]

I just wanted to mention that a family member has what appears to be melasma, but in actuality is vitiligo. Since he's fair skinned you only notice it when he gets a tan. The brown spots are the unaffected parts of his skin tanning, while the rest doesn't because its lost its pigmentation. He tans very easily, so in the summer it's noticeable if he's been out in the yard without sun protection. He wears a brimmed hat and that's made the most difference for him too, as the fabric is quite thick and a very effective sunblock.

So if you notice chronic issues with the spotting, you may want to mention it to your doctor the next time you're in for something else. Sometimes both issues can be caused by hormonal things (the pill, underlying autoimmune process, or thyroid/adrenal imbalances).

I need to remember to go buy a wide brimmed hat!