Update Day 11

It's been 11 days since I started my treatment. A special formula prescribed by my dermatologist, 5% hydroquinona, 0.01 % retinoic acid. I apply morning and night all over my face. I was diagnosed with melasma allover. The doctor could not believe how terrible it was after viewing me with his special uv camera.

I am not sure if you can tell in the pictures but I see a slight lightening on the very dark spots.

After a month of this treatment I was told to go back for a about 4-6 sessions of Miami Peel depending on the outcome. He will also prescribe me a new formula with a slightly higher hidroquinona and retinoic acid.

I feel confident and hopeful. It hasn't even been 2 weeks and I see a slight fading. I wear a hat constantly and stay out of direct sunlight.

Under my Umbrella

I have never been on the pill and never got melasma during pregnancy. In the summer I used to love seeing my pale, olive skin turn a beautiful golden tan...especially on my face. In high school I used to go to tanning beds before prom and in the summer never applied any sunscreen on my face until I was nice and tan, it use to make me feel healthy and glowing.

Three years ago when I first got a spot above my upper lip, that's when I started avoiding the sun, and ever since then dark patches have sprouted up everywhere, its almost like a vengeance. I have worn sunscreen religiously 12 months a year for the past 36 months and my melasma has gotten worse.

I have a nice collection of hats and stay away from the sun as much as possible. Unfortunately, I live in a very sunny place.

I am considering buying one of these anti-UV umbrellas. I wonder if I would feel silly walking around with one. Does anyone use umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun??

Avene Couvrance foundation

This is what I look like in the morning after applying my foundation which was recommended to me by my dermatologist, Avene Couvrance.At first I was a bit skeptical because it looked pretty thick, but it comes with a sponge and smooths on easily and has great coverage. According to my dermatologist´s instructions I first apply my sunscreen and then the foundation, it serves as a physical barrier against UVA rays, it has an SPF of 30 also. After the foundation I apply translucent powders. Avene also sells the powder but I am using some I had by Estee Lauder I really like. I´m really happy with this makeup because I don´t even need a coverup stick. You should apply near a window so you can get even distribution

Day 2 of Treatment

This is me after I wash my face at night and before I put on my prescribed formula. This is after the first full day of treatment...the beginning of my fight against melasma.

I try to hold out until the very last moment before taking my makeup off, it´s hard to see my reflection.

As you can tell I have olive skin, I am of Hispanic descent.
Melasma is more common in people with light brown skin, especially Hispanics and Asians.

Makeup Artist

If you were to see me out on the street you probably couldn´t tell I´m fighting melasma. It still hasn´t gotten to this extent.

My best friend, my parents. even the cosmetics lady say they can´t tell.

Of course they cant. I always wear makeup.

But lately, my makeup regimine is becoming more rigourous. It gets more difficult to camoflauge the patches and the spots. It also seems that the more I try to hide them the more I am accentuating them. Sometimes I apply, coverup, pressed powder, makeup, and more makeup. I even end up washing it all off and starting over again if I don´t get it right. I don´t care. It makes me feel better to show off the best face I can.

I don´t like looking at myself in the mirror without makeup. Only my husband and children see me without makeup lately.

A Visit to the Doctor

The first dermatologist I ever visited was in January 2008.

I sat in front of him, his big important desk as a barrier between patient and doctor. I sat there beside my husband, but felt naked without makeup.

I was in for a dark spot on my right cheek about 1/2 an inch in diameter.

He looked at me from the other side of the desk and said "You only need a dark path on your upper lip and forehead." I looked in awe as he turned to his computer to type up my prescription. No answer to my questions, no compassion, no caring, no hope dispatched this time.

I walked out amazed and not very confident. I couldn´t believe him. Not even a close up and personal look at my skin. He said he cleared these cases up 80 % of the times. I was dreading I was going to be in the 20% bunch, which I turned out to be.

He sent me a cream with 4% hydroquinone at night and a AHA cream also at night. In the morning I had to cleanse and apply another cream with glycolic acid and of course my sunblock.

I turned out having the official spot on my cheek, another smaller patch on the left cheek and also on my chin. After 2 months of my strict regimine the dark spots started to fade. After 2 more months all of sudden they were dark again.

I never went back to that doctor.

The First Day

Today is the first day of my blog and also the first day of my new skin treatment to fight against melasma.
Although I think melasma will be with me for the rest of my life, I´m hoping I can start controlling it or at least prevent it from getting worse.

I know there are alot of us out there with the same problem, and only others with melasma can truly understand what we go through.

Yes, I know it is not a life threatening disease. I am grateful for my very health body and happy spirit. Yet I am realistic in my view and believe that this disorder can cause phsycholgical problems in those that are not as strong or optimistic.

Melasma can corrode a strong and confident personality and slowly destroy your self esteem.

That´s why today I start my fight, my personal battle.