Hydroquinone, Fraxel, Obaji, Lustra and Solage

If anyone is familiar with any of the above products and/or procedures then you must be one of the "lucky" few who have melasma or something quite similar. As my profile stated, I noticed I had melasma when I was in my late 20’s. At that time, my melasma was manageable as it was only less than half a dime in size. It rested on both of my cheekbones but, more so, on the left side. I didn’t give too much thought since I was just so damn happy that I no longer had to deal with acne EVERY month. The acne was painful in feel and look.

Back then...I also assumed that maybe the sun was aggravating my left cheekbones, which was the side exposed to the sun when I was driving. The years would go by and I wouldn’t pay too much attention to it. I spent time in the sun and my melasma was basically the same color as my skin tone. It wasn’t until I was in my early 30’s did I decide to spend less time in the sun. I also tried to wear sunblock each time I went outdoors. It wasn’t until early 2006 (age: 35) did I notice my skin lightened naturally from my decrease in sun exposure; however, my melasma was more noticeable now because it didn’t lightened as easily as my unaffected skin area...STUBBORN!!

In May 2006 I decided to have several laser treatment (Fraxel) to remove my melasma, which is now bigger than a quarter in size. I was informed that the treatment was the first safe treatment for people of color skin. I’m an Asian female with a skin tone which seems tanned during the winter months. During the first few months after the treatment, my skin looked youthful and pores were tighter; however the melasma was still evident. There goes $3k. My dermatologist wanted me to go on the Obaji system and so I did. I cannot tell you what happened next. My entire face was beautifully lightened with an even and smooth tone; however, the melasma looked twice as pronounced because it didn’t lightened one bit. Damn stubborn thing!!! When you looked at my face, you saw the map of the world – with the melasma being the continents on the world map, of course.

My dermatologist had me stop the Obaji system and then put me on Lustra, Lustra AF and Lustra Ultra in combination with Finacea. A little over a month and my melasma was very resistant in moving residence. It was happy right there on top of high cheekbones. To top it off, he had me stop the Lustra and Finacea and had me on Solage. I was instructed to only apply the Solage on the melasma. Bad decision. Let’s just say within two weeks of using it, the solution had burned my melasma and made it WORSE because what do burns do? They become darker before they heal. I cried like I haven't cried in a long time.

Consequently, I walked into the office after a three-day weekend (President’s Day) and the people’s reaction to my face was enough to keep me in my office and away from attending my meetings that day. I read body languages very well and that day…I could count the number of eyes dropping after viewing my burnt melasma on my cheekbones. I cannot tell you how devastated I was. I had a 36th birthday a couple days after President’s Day and that was very difficult for me. I cancelled birthday lunches and dinners because I couldn’t bare to be seen by my friends. It was a very challenging day and week for me.

I found myself for the very first time in my life wearing concealer. It was so awkward because I didn’t even know how to put it on properly. I never thought that this skin disorder could change my life like it has. During this week, I have spent my evenings researching and researching melasma – its causes, various treatments and prevention. There are sooooo many different possible treatments!!!!! Where do I begin? Most importantly...which one?

From research, I have discovered that what may work for one may not work for another. Some women reported great success on the Obaji; whereas others, like me, did not experience any positive results. While I do have my moments of despair, I truly believe I will have those beautiful cheekbones again!