Stupid sun messing up my stupid face, maybe

July 11, 2017 5:10 PM

Are these sunspots on my face and if so, can I get rid of them somehow?

So.... just a couple weeks ago I noticed some dark splotchy brown spots on my forehead. Basically it looks like I got an uneven tan. Now that I see them, I can't un-see them. If you looked at me, you probably wouldn't even notice it but to me, they're all I see.

I have pale skin because I pretty much hate the sun. I rarely burn or tan. I go to the beach maybe three times a year (and wear spf70 sun block) and that's pretty much it for me and the sun. The rest of my family is in the sun all the time and get deep deep tans, so if I'm the one who's developed sunspots, it would be ridiculously ironic.

I dont have time or money for a dermatologist right now, but I will get to one eventually. In the meantime, and I know YANMD but... do these sound like sunspots and if so, is there ANY treatment out there for them, short of plastic surgery or whatever? There are tons of over the counter "spot removal" creams and such. Do any of them actually work? Help! I'm so sad.

Possibly relevant info - I am a 38 year old woman of Italian descent, but seriously, think of Snow White when you picture my coloring. My skin is generally good - no wrinkles or acne. My diet is good - all organic, healthy fats and carbs. I get decent sleep. I have a stressful job but nothing unusual.

posted by silverstatue to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Best answer: Sounds like melasma to me.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:24 PM on July 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

2nd that it's likely melasma, probably related to hormonal changes a lot of people get in their late 30s. This summer, wear a high SPF (50 or more, like Vichy's Ideal 50 ultra light or La Roche Posay's ultra light) to prevent further pigment change.

In winter, when there's less sun, you could try a low % acid to lighten it (glycolic, etc), or a peel if you feel it's necessary - you might want to avoid that in summer, because it sensitizes your skin and can make you prone to more melasma if your SPF or coverage isn't fantastic or runs off (because of sweat, etc. And really, who, who's in a work environment or anywhere not a beach, wants to apply SS multiple times a day :/ You might want to top it up with an SPF powder - won't protect that much on its own, but it'll give your sunscreen some extra help.) There are also hydroquinone based bleaching creams you could spot treat with - probably the stuff you've seen. They can work, but some of them have ungreat side effects (like maybe changing skin a totally different and unanticipated colour).

For now (unless it's winter where you are), I'd be consistent with sun protection and just use makeup to cover whatever you're noticing.

(*Although*, it might be worth having someone check these spots for irregularities, on the slim chance it's something else. Probably melasma though.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 5:50 PM on July 11, 2017

I live in Florida AND my skin hyperpigments. I tan easily but I have plenty of spots. I'm familiar with sunspots and sun damage. I can tone down my hyperpigmentation by using sunscreen daily. Even a small amount of sun exposure can cause my spots to reemerge.

I use a glycolic cleanser and use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen. I also second layering SPF powders over daily sunscreen. I do a light dusting and bring it down on my neck. If I want more coverage I do a little dusting of Bare Minerals -- it has SPF 15. Bare Minerals also has products with higher SPF. If I do this faithfully I can get my skin to look mostly even and my normal skin tone of fair. If I'm out at the beach I use SPF 50 or greater and a hat. About five nights a week I use a 20% Vitamin C Plus E Ferulic Acid Serum.

I have also used prescription strength hydroquinone. I no longer use hydroquinone because I find my skincare routine is just as good. If you want a quick result you might want a prescription. (Hydroquinone is not an approved drug in some countries.)

I have heard that the Obagi Nu Derm skincare system/products work well. You can find reviews on YouTube.

Look at Skinstore.com for AHA products that will speed up cell turnover. Look for brands Glytone, Gly Derm, NeoStrata, Obagi. I'm sure there are others.
posted by loveandhappiness at 6:00 PM on July 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

This is exactly what happened to me last summer. I'm a red head, pale as anything, wear SPF 60 sunscreen, and I spent an embarrassing amount of time last summer indoors, so I couldn't understand why all of a sudden my freckles had seemingly teamed up and formed blotches on my forehead.

This Spring I made the decision to switch birth control pills because of unpleasant side effects. When I was researching and comparing the pill I had been on (Seasonale) with the new pill my gynaecologist had recommended (Lolo) I stumbled across websites describing melasma, (something I'd never been warned about or heard of before) as a possible side effect of hormonal birth control. This morning my gynaecologist confirmed that the pill could indeed be responsible for the hyperpigmentation I've experienced. He didn't have any helpful suggestions for dealing with it though. I'm hoping that now that I'm on a lower-dose pill that it will gradually fade.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 6:03 PM on July 11, 2017

Response by poster: OMG you guys it's totally melasma. It looks exactly like the picture on the site ThePinkSuperhero linked to. I happy to hear that it can A. be treated and B. maybe even fade on its own.

I'm not on birth control right now but, yeah hormones in your late 30s are certainly a thing!

Thanks guys. I've been freaking out about this and I feel so much better now. I will sunblock it up, and do further research :)
posted by silverstatue at 6:33 PM on July 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: It's possible to order your own chemical peels in different strengths to try at home. Makeup Artists Choice has a wide range. It's confusing at first so just read everything, take the reviews with a grain of salt, and start with a low concentration. A "sample size" is enough for several peels, pour a small amount into a soy sauce bowl and apply with a thin flat brush.

I'd focus on Glycolic Acid (AHA) Peels or Lactic Acid (AHA) Peels. These don't have any down time, you can use every week, keep moving up to a higher concentration, and the spots will fade.

TCA Peels which will definitely clear up melasma in one go are much more intense; like schedule it for a week when you won't need to go anywhere because your face will peel after the third day or so. It's a bit unnerving.

You do need to be even more careful afterwards in the sun since it's summer. Hats/SPF every time you go out.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:37 PM on July 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Seconding Makeup Artists Choice for peels. I've been using their products for years to great effect, although I do have a couple age spots that peels don't seem to be helping much. Stupid aging.
posted by Autumnheart at 7:11 PM on July 11, 2017

I'm in Southern Arizona, and many people here generally treat melasma with a hydroquinone + retin-a cream they get from a dermatologist. It isn't too expensive and certainly more effective than a lot of over-the-counter stuff. The best thing you can do is apply sunscreen a couple of times during the day, not just in the morning. People here wear hats, too. Hats are the best!
posted by belau at 6:16 AM on July 12, 2017