Melasma (also known as Chloasma) can be an unsightly condition affecting many people.I was 28 when I developed this large patch of melasma on the side of my face. It started off quite small and pale in colour, but over the years it grew and darkened. New patches would spring up around my eyes and on my forehead. These would fade and be barely visible over time, but that one big patch just kept on spreading and darkening. It became impossible to cover with makeup and I knew I had to do something about it.
I had tried many ‘cures’ over the years with no improvement at all. High potency vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, creams aimed at targeting hyperpigmentation - nothing worked. I drew the line at laser surgery as there had to be a less invasive way, and reading others experiences of lasering, it often made the problem worse and damaged the skin permanently.
Melasma has many causes, from sun damage to hormonal imbalances. It is common during pregnancy, but usually resolves once the hormone levels return to normal after childbirth. This did not happen for me, it worsened throughout both my pregnancies and never improved.
Last summer I decided to take action against it.
I figured the first place to start was my hormones. I realised that the years I had been on the contraceptive pill had been the time it started to appear, however it had been 10 years since stopping the pill and really, could that be the culprit? Being a homeopath I ran a simple contraceptive pill detox on myself using remedies to support and regulate the hormonal system and test my theory.
This was a 3 month programme and during that time I didn’t notice any real change in the melasma, it remained defiant on my cheek. It is hard to treat yourself homeopathically , so I thought I would take some of my own advice and be patient.
Over the next month I noticed 2 things, firstly it was easier to cover with makeup, a small dab of concealer and it was gone, before I had to use camouflage makeup if I was going out, or trowel on several layers of concealer to tame it a bit. I also noticed on closer inspection that the edges of the mark were softening, it began to lose its strong dark border, and in the centre of the mark pinker skin was appearing.
6 months from detox:
It is almost gone now (as you can see from the photos) I am taking no other remedies for it. I hope that in another few months it will completely disappear, but it's so much better that I hardly notice it anymore.
The contraceptive pill is not the wonder drug I thought it was in my younger years, it can cause all manor of problems with our hormones. My hormones had been suppressed for years under this drug. It’s a shame there is not more education for young girls. I see many 12 and 13 year olds put on the Pill by their GP for period problems, there is so much that can be done for hormonal issues with homeopathy and natural therapies, as this case demonstrates.