Can anyone with melasma recommend a foundation?

[havaneselover]

I have had melasma for the last few years. A trip to the dermatologist and an rx for hydroquinone accomplished nothing. It's above my lip, on both cheeks, and my forehead. Anyone with melasma have a foundation that works well?

 

[bjscheel]

No help on foundation but will follow along. I use a Cover Girl foundation and it doesn't do anything special. I have hydroquinone too and it did some good on the lighter problem areas but there is still a spot on my cheek that is visible. I use a Vitamin C serum from Amazon under the hydroquinone but whether it helps is anyone's guess.

 

[littleblackegg]

Lots of people with melasma use high-coverage stage makeup. Ben Nye makes an excellent product. The key is learning to apply it. If your cosmetologist also does makeup for her clients, she can help you pick the right shade and show you how to apply it. If there is a melasma support group in your community, joining could help a lot. Just remember, the 22 year-old white girl at the makeup counter can't help you, and may sell you stuff that won't work. You need someone with experience covering facial discoloration and/or scars. The stage makeup will make the difference.

 

[Paradise18]

I have melasma above my lip too. I hate it. My dermatologist gave me samples of Cover FX. It's not easy to work with, almost need to rub it between my fingers, but I've also found using a primer helps. It's a much heavier coverage than foundation.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I have melasma, but you would never know it! After YEARS of treatments that didn't work (IPL, BBL, Profractional, prescription creams like Triluma), I now see a clinical person who does deep, triple chemical peels every 3 months. I also use Glo mineral foundation which is sold at my cosmetic surgeon's office. Or, you can find it here: https://www.gloprofessional.com/luxe-liquid-foundation

You will never get a good result with makeup alone. I swear by the triple chemical peels. It literally takes the melasma right off. BUT, it slowly creeps back and it is something you need to stay on top of. When I initially started seeing my skincare professional, it was a peel every month. Now I am able to space it out to every 3 or even 4 months. It has taken years and years off of my age! I would shout this treatment from the rooftops if I could. But be forewarned....each chemical peel is $100 in my area. It might be more depending on where you live.

Make sure you use sunscreen.

Also know that birth control pills can contribute to the problem as well!

 

[MickeySP]

I don't have melasma, but roscea. I use a cover up by L'Oreal then Bare Minerals one shade darker than my tone. I get red not dark but pigment change is hard

 

[havaneselover]

I have melasma, but you would never know it! After YEARS of treatments that didn't work (IPL, BBL, Profractional, prescription creams like Triluma), I now see a clinical person who does deep, triple chemical peels every 3 months. I also use Glo mineral foundation which is sold at my cosmetic surgeon's office. Or, you can find it here: https://www.gloprofessional.com/luxe-liquid-foundation

You will never get a good result with makeup alone. I swear by the triple chemical peels. It literally takes the melasma right off. BUT, it slowly creeps back and it is something you need to stay on top of. When I initially started seeing my skincare professional, it was a peel every month. Now I am able to space it out to every 3 or even 4 months. It has taken years and years off of my age! I would shout this treatment from the rooftops if I could. But be forewarned....each chemical peel is $100 in my area. It might be more depending on where you live.

Make sure you use sunscreen.

Also know that birth control pills can contribute to the problem as well!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to look into triple chemical peels. And I need to be better about suncreen.

ETA: I found a local place with excellent reviews that does triple chemical peels for $75 or you can buy 6 for $300. Do you tip estheticians? I'm assuming you do but have never been to one before.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

If you go to a good one within a cosmetic surgeon's office, you do not tip. when I see package deals like 6 for $300, I think of some cheap storefront place. Do some research. Check reviews.

If you don't like sunscreen because it feels greasy, check out this product that I also buy: https://www.colorescience.com/category/sunforgettable

Sun and birth control pills are the devil for those of us suffering from melasma.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I've just started using Garnier tinted BB cream (oil control for me) under Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation (full coverage). This has provided the best coverage that I have found so far. I have the melasma along my chin that creeps up toward my cheeks. I hate it!

I am going to look into the chemical peels that the above poster recommended. I have done them sporadically but not consistently.

 

[ronandannette]

Questions about chemical peels:

1. Does it hurt?
2. Is your skin red, tender and "shiny" afterwards and if so, for how long?
3. Does it tend to cause break-outs after the fact?
4. Is this a facial treatment only or could it be used to help my super-freckly hands and forearms?​

TIA

 

[smokeyblue]

I have redness issues and just started using IT cosmetics and am very surprised with the ease of use and the coverage of their powder foundation. You can purchase them at Ulta and QVC. I bought mine from QVC when they had a deal on the make-up and brush. I've had it for about 6 weeks and it seems like it's going to last me for awhile. They also have a product called Bye Bye Redness that is highly rated that might work to mask the spots though they aren't red.

The one thing that I suggest is that if you go to Ulta to try out make-up to moisturize before you leave your house. The one time I went there to try product I was really disappointed because my skin was so dry. They do apply primer for you, but it wasn't enough.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Questions about chemical peels:

1. Does it hurt?
2. Is your skin red, tender and "shiny" afterwards and if so, for how long?
3. Does it tend to cause break-outs after the fact?
4. Is this a facial treatment only or could it be used to help my super-freckly hands and forearms?​

TIA

It stings/burns for about 5 or 10 minutes during/after the peel. It looks bright red for a few hours afterwards. The next morning it looks like there is a slight sunburn on my face, but it is still smooth and I apply lots of moisturizer. The day after that, the face starts to darken and my face feels really tight. I would say I look just plain AWFUL days 3-5 because of the extreme tightness, scaliness & darkness (I time my peels so they happen on a Wednesday night after work). After that, the entire top layer of the skin starts to peel off. It usually peels around my mouth and chin area first. It looks patchy, but you don't want to force the peel or pick at it. After all, this is a burn. Days 6-12 my face looks glowing and simply amazing. The melasma-GONE for all intents and purposes. People don't understand how I can look so terrible on day 5, but then on day 6 I look like I've just shaved 15 years off my age and have flawless skin.

The key is to be aggressive with the peel. No fluffy, superficial fruity or cucumber so-called "peels" from a place like an Aveda salon. You have to pay a little more and get it done right at either a cosmetic surgeon's office or with a dermatologist. AHA peels are nothing. It must be TCA or Phenol peel otherwise it simply won't be tough enough for that stubborn melasma that makes you look like you have a mustache or brown island patches on your face.

You can get a peel on other places besides your face. She does my upper chest and neck area as well. I haven't had any extra breakouts from the peel. In fact, it helps with that. My daughter, who is 20, gets the same peel but because she has acne, not melasma.

 

[ronandannette]

... I would say I look just plain AWFUL days 3-5 because of the extreme tightness & darkness... People don't understand how I can look so terrible on day 5, but then on day 6 I look like I've just shaved 15 years off my age and have flawless skin.

Very good information - thank you. I presently work (more than) full-time; would I basically have to take a week off? How do you manage the discomfort?

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Very good information - thank you. I presently work (more than) full-time; would I basically have to take a week off? How do you manage the discomfort?

If you went in on a Wednesday night, you could manage to get through the work week without too many stares or questions. People who I don't know will ask how I got sunburn on days 1 &2....or on days 3-5 they will ask what happened to me...LOL

Plan it around a weekend where you can just stay at home and get things done. Saturday & Sunday seems to be the worst. It itches a bit, you have to resist the urge to pick at some of the areas that want to peel too soon, etc. I just keep on moisturizing and lay low. The results are well worth the small inconvenience/discomfort. The worst part for me is the skin tightness which drives me a little batty.

Honestly, I've been doing this for a few years now, and I go out in public on the weekend if I need to, and I don't care what other people think. In the beginning, however, it was not the case. I was so self conscious! I don't recommend attending any major social events the first week after a deep peel (wedding, cocktail party, etc).

btw- It is awesome when the face peels. It looks like snake's skin when it sheds!!!

 

[porterbl1]

Do any of these qualify?

 

[porterbl1]

These actually look better. They are from my dermatologist.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Stay away from salon peels to fight melasma. A place you can get your nails done AND fight melasma at the same time? Not a chance.

Also, don't give in to fluffy marketing names for their so-called peels like cucumber, pumpkin, etc. They are just fancy ways of saying you are getting a facial massage. These are all superficial that will give you minimal results-at best. Here are a few examples of places I would look into going to:

http://www.drguillotcosmeticsurgery.com/procedures/skin_chemical_peels.aspx
http://www.wallcenter.com/jade-medispa/chemical-peels.cfm
https://www.drboudreaux.com/nonsurgical-procedures

 

[justgrace]

I haven't had experience, but one makeup Youtuber (Emilynoel83) had Melasma and was able to cover it up well. She did a video about a full coverage makeup routine and she details the foundation used, etc.

Hope this helps!

 

[littleblackegg]

I agree with Disney Fan. You really have to go with a medically-supervised peel to get results. Those spa treatments won't touch it. Also, very dark-complected people may get some rebound hyper pigmentation problems from the inflammatory process. This should be discussed in the individual consultation.

 

[ronandannette]

I agree with Disney Fan. You really have to go with a medically-supervised peel to get results. Those spa treatments won't touch it. Also, very dark-complected people may get some rebound hyper pigmentation problems from the inflammatory process. This should be discussed in the individual consultation.

While I would love the rejuvenation, I just don't think I could get through the process. I'm presuming you shouldn't wear make-up at all until the "peel" has occurred? I couldn't manage that and still be at work for the two days immediately after like DisneyFan32 has suggested. (I don't have melasma, BTW.)