My Second Miami Peel

Yesterday afternoon I had my second Miami Peel.

The doctor was happy with the improvement in my skin. I told him I hardly peel after my first Peeling and he said that was normal, he wasn´t planning on peeling me like a banana!!

As he applied the chemicals on my face, they burned less than the first time, which was minor burning anyways. I was sensitive in the cheekbone area and told him not to scrub as much as last time. I left the clinic a little red but am now back to normal.

I´m suppose to continue as usual. My hydroquinone 6% cream and retinoic acid, sunscreen, and Avene Couvrance makeup. We´ll see what happens.

Last time I peeled on my left cheek which helped improve the spot alot. Would love if that happened on my right cheek this time.

I told the doctor I wouldn´t mind staying the way I am, and that I was scared of the spots darkening again. He told me not to worry and not to be scared.

I feel confident with him. By the way he was packed with patients..not just for melasma.

I´ll update with pictures soon.

2 Months Post Treatment

Well, I´m at the 2 month mark of starting my treatment.

Lots of changes have occured. My skin has lightened up quite a bit, especially my dark spots. I see a big difference in general. My skin is more even toned. I can tell because each time I need less makeup and less effort to coverup my spots.

I don´t think I will ever get rid of my spots, and if you look closely there are lots of little ones hoping to acquire a larger diminsion.

I was scared at first at the intensive treatment of hydroquinone I was put on 5 % and now 6 %. I am still worried about the aftermath of my treatment and possible darkening, but for now I am enjoying my progress.

I am scheduled for another Miami Peel on Tuesday afternoon. Actually, I am not sure if that helped much, but I am being obedient and following the recommendations of my doctor. I want to make sure I put in my 100% to improve my melasma. Not cure it... I think there is no cure. I wonder what my maintance treatment will be.

I so wish I could see others pictures. Those of you who are going through the same. Those of you who like me probably wish you lived in a protective bubble away from the sun.

P.S. My camera is still holding out. The pictures don´t have the greatest quality.

As you can see the side pictures always look lighter. The frontal picture is a little darker. I think the camera reflects my image with 98 % accuracy. If you click on the photos you can get a closer look.

The second picture is my right cheek and the third my left cheek.

Update

I´m still here, still on my treatment, and still hoping my melasma stays put.

It´s been almost 2 months.

I´ve had some success in lightening and as I said I am happy to stay the way I am, but I am going to listen to my dermatologist and go in for my next Miami Peel. The first one went well, only slight peeling which helped my left cheek.

I am now on hydroquinone 6% and retinoic acid 0.025% cream, specially formulated by the pharmacist. I put it on at night and in the morning. I know this is scary, but it doesn´t burn my skin or anything. I have no reaction to it. I have heard some horror stories about hydroquinone in other blogs and have my worries.

As I said before, I am having camera problems, but hopefully tomorrow I can get another one and post pics. It´s always good to see how others are doing.

Progress???

I wake up every morning and rush to the bathroom mirror to see if my spots are lighter, less visible. Lately they look a bit darker to me. My husband and children (the only ones that see me without makeup) say they look lighter.

To tell you the truth I don´t even need them to look lighter, just please, don´t get darker.

Yes, I´m in slight panic mode, considering last time I was in treatment after initial lightening my spots got darker and worse. My mom says to me "you must have faith"... I get angry and tell her she has to understand my worries... my father on the otherhand stares at me in awe, incredulous to the improvement and change in my skin.

I wish I could just stay the way I am.

What stage am I at???

I still have at least 3 more Miami Peels.
I have easy makeup application.
No visible spots with makeup.
Check out my pictures to see me without makeup.

By the way...my camera broke!!!
I´ll find a replacement soon... or a substitute.

Me at the End of the Day

After summer is over is when the dark patches start. For me this Fall is starting out whiter. I have hardly been out in the sun and if I have it´s been well protected with a hat or an umbrella.

I do know lots of people will start my same battle with Melasma.

One of the best things my doctor has recommended to me is the makeup Avene Couvrance Compact Foundation. It last all day without touchups.

At first I wasn´t too sure about it. It seemed to thick and fake. If you apply it you must first find your correct color. I use sable. Apply near a window. Start from the middle and work outwards (use the sponge applicator it comes with). Spread evenly and with patience. Then if you have darker spots to cover use your fingertips to gently tap. When the foundation is blended in I use Estee Lauders translucent Loose Powder in Light Medium, it gives me a nice golden glow. I apply them with a big powder brush. I have used these for 15 years, I love them. I do not apply blush because I think it accentuates my dark spots.

Avene Couvrance has helped me take the focus off of Melasma, I feel like I have a normal complexion. You would never guess I was fighting against melasma, would you?

A week After MY First Miami Peel

After the peel my skin felt dry. It peeled only lightly especially on my left cheek. It was almost as the dark skin literally just fell off.

I don´t see much of an improvement only a slight improvement. The dermatologist said I needed from 4-6 of these depending on results, every 2-3 weeks.

During my visit to the dermatologist I did tell him I was very pleased with the results and would stay the way I was. I told him I am not aiming for perfection. I do want to finish with the treatment, I guess I am just scared it will get worse. I am happy the way I am now.

Easy makeup application, which covers all my spots.