Cant see any change since 2011..

Forehead, both lower chicks

Feel like my Melasma is spredding..

On these pictures - taken yesterday - Im quite tan! 

But a lagre part of my face is lightened. Im pretty sure its a part of my Melasma.
I have used Pigmanorm occasionally thru this last year.

I have tried Fungoral(fungiside shampoo)in my face for some weeks now, no difference Im afraid. But try it if you havent done that yet;)

Have a nice summer, even thou we cant love the sun as we did before;)

Christmas is coming

 Hi! Long time since my last update;)

Well, the summer passed by as "usual", - sunscreen and foundation every day. The Melasma developed anyway.. 

Im terrible at suppliments, havent taken too much of copper-suppliments the past 6 months.
Sorry!! Would have been nice to give you all an update:(

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This is me now. Only used a couple of weeks of Pigmanorm this fall. 

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It is winter, the sun isnt so terrible right now, but I must use sunscreen daily anyways. 

Christmas is coming soon, and our christmasfeeling came when snow arrived this week. 

Pretty perfect for us! We just hope it stays over the holidays...we never know, it might rain on christmas eve;)

My homemade christmasbranch filled with the most beautiful little birds;)

My boys had to play in the snow this week(Always most funny the first day!)

Here my 14-year-old has made a cave for my 2-year-old;)

Copper problems?

The summer is on the way!
The sun rises at 03.50 and goes down in the sea at 23.04.

I have been getting tanner, and I really dont want it! 

But I can stop living my life outdoors thou I think so sometimes..

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I have been googling a bit.. I might have some problems with copper in my body.
Ive got lighter parts around my face, visable on some recent pics below.
(You can see it very good on Flaking pigmanorm)

This might be a huge part of my skinproblem. 

Im gonna research some more, but my tought after googling is that Im gonna take
pills(suppliments) for zinc. This may balance my copper. 

Difference?

Hi!

We`ve got some sunny days lately(well its heavy rain right now!) so I`ve become tanner all over my face. I went to the beach with white patches of sunscreen(thick) over my spots to stop the sun hitting them. I still feel the spots got attacked! Damn!! Im gonna continue using Pigmanorm Im afraid..

When I see these pictures from afar I see there is a difference, - but not enought!

My new blog, check it out here! An rare interest I guess, anyone else who loves pearls? 

Starting again

Me and my family biking in our neighbourhood. Just 7-8 C(45 F)but we still stopped to 

buy some icecream! We cant wait untill its warm outside here up north,

 then it wont be much icecream each year;)

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I`ve put Pigmanorm away for a week now. The skin still flaked 4-5 days after.

Im starting on again today, using Tretinoin at the same time. 

Why? I feel the flaking accelerate using both, so the result comes faster. 

(Retin A, prescription from doctor)

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Resting a bit

Im having some days "off" Pigmanorm now. Resting my skin a bit. 

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So Im enjoying the spring instead, some sunny days, some sleet/haily days, some rainy days and some windy days.
Quite often a little bit of everything on the same day ;) 

Remember to use sunscreen! 

Have a nice weekend

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A few days using Pigmanorm daily

Still using, but took this picture just to show the difference. Its red..

This is what I use.

Pigmanorm at night

Avene +50 sunscreen

Foundation containing SF+19

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The spring has arrived!

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Im starting to peel now, about 2 days after I started - this time.  

 I see big difference thou, mostly on my chics. 

I might try to take a picture of it, but I not sure its visible..!

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Flaking Pigmanorm

I had to work most days last week so I didnt use Pigmanorm before starting again yesterday. 

This is pics from last week.

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Had to stop..

Because of some work in public thursday and friday, I stopped the treatment tuesday.
The flaking isnt cool amongst others, thou it isnt as bad as Obagi. Im starting on again this night! 

Some color have vanished but Im not sure it will be notisable on a picure.

Have a nice day!

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Cant afford expensive treatment?

You might control your Melasma without drugs that cost a lot of money. 

Im not sure how effective they are, - but maybe worth a try?

1. Apple Cider Vinegar:

   The mildly acidic nature of vinegar helps lighten the dark spots problem. It also balances the pH levels and tones the skin evenly. It also improves the blood circulation and improves skin health. Vinegar is the fermented extract of apples and is full of all the vitamins and nutrients found in the fruit.
   • Add some vinegar to your cooking. Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to bathing water and wash your face with it.

2. Pineapple:

   The citric acid in pineapple helps reduce the dark spots on the face and result in even color and tone of the skin. The numerous vitamins, enzymes, nutrients, and minerals in the fruit will lighten the dark color spots. It addresses the wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and exfoliates the dead cells.
   • Dip a cotton swab in pineapple juice and apply it on the skin and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it off with tepid water. Or directly apply some soft pulp of the fruit for the same time period.

3. Papaya:

   The many enzymes found in this delicious and nutritious fruit has been known for a long time as a good home remedy to treat the problem of dark and brown spots. It not only nourishes the skin from inside, but from outside too, exfoliates the dead cells, evens the skin tone and color, and also treats the fine wrinkle lines and age spots too!
   • Eat papaya regularly. Rub the pulp of papaya on the skin and leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

4. Lemon:

   The acidic nature of lemon juice is very essential in improving blood circulation, eliminating toxins, and treating the problem of dark pigmentation effectively. It also cleanses the skin and exfoliates it.
   • Mix lemon juice with some fresh cream and massage the spots. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it with tepid water.

5. Honey:

   Honey is a simple and good way of treating the problem adequately and lightening the marks. It also moisturizes the skin, clears it, and evens the tone.
   • Wash the face and directly apply a layer of honey. Leave it for a few minutes before rinsing.

6. Milk:

   Since ages milk has been considered a good home remedy to tackle the problem of freckles. It will also remove the fine lines of wrinkles; whiten the dark marks, and even the tone.
   • Dab a cotton ball in raw, cold milk and use it on the marks. Wash the part with lukewarm water.

7. Horseradish:

   Horseradish lightens the hyper-pigment marks, bleaches it, and reduces the darkness of it. It wards off the dead skin layer, evens the skin tone, smoothens the texture, and lightens it.
   • Take a teaspoon of the horseradish root powder; to it add enough lemon juice and a few drops of vinegar. Mix well and use on the marks.

8. Yogurt:

   Yogurt is an excellent ingredient to reduce the darkness of the age spots, freckles, and blemishes caused by various reasons. It lightens the marks, removes the dead skin, exposes the fresh and evenly colored and toned skin, and bleaches it.
   • Either apply yogurt directly or mix a few drops of lemon juice to it and wait for 15 minutes before cleaning it.

9. Cucumber:

   The astringent affect of cucumber juice is used as a bleaching agent in many beauty treatments and is also beneficial in toning the skin, lightening the freckles, and clearing the wrinkles.
   • Rub cucumber slice on brown spots to whiten them. Or dab the spots with cucumber’s juice extract.

10. Turmeric:

    The spice turmeric has been known for long for its lightening properties. It is an active ingredient in many beauty products and cosmetics and is well liked as a home remedy too.
    • Make a paste of turmeric and water, apply it on the freckles, allow it to dry and then wash with tepid water.

11. Tomato:

    Tomato is known for its bleaching properties which are very helpful in reducing the pigmentation problem. Regular use of this natural skin lightening vegetable helps in correcting the problem effectively. It is very effective in treating the sun burn marks too.
    • Use tomato juice on the skin or rub the pulp of it.

12. Aloe Vera Gel:

    This plant is very beneficial in addressing the problem of age spots, dark spots, melasma, freckles, scars, and other spots. It rejuvenates the skin, exfoliates dead cells, exposes new layer, and repairs it.
• Extract fresh gel from the leaves of aloe vera plant and directly use it to whiten the dark spots.

New sunscreen

Ive used Obagi Sunscreen(+35) for a while now, but it didnt stop my Melasma evolving. 

Ive bought Avene Sunscreen(+50) now, hoping this will help some more:) 

Googling today.. and  came across this post! Damn, is this real? 

Maybe my sunscreen is making it worse.. Im putting a thicker lair on my spots, thinking it will have a better defense.

http://www.skincaretalk.com/t/16156/need-help-for-one-of-the-best-sunscreen-for-melasma-skin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen

Hmmm....!

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It doesnt look like summer outside, (some snowflake is falling from the sky), but the sunscreen is a must every day;) 

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Here we go again!

The winter has taken its toll on me and my Melasma is back!

The sun rises 06.38 and it goes down 20.27 at this moment..

 Lots of sun to make my face even worse and it is 3 months 

until the sun turns. Even more sun to come!

Ive started using Pigmanorm today.

Hoping it will take away most color, - we`ll see:)

Im gonna post weekly from now on ;)

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Im on a pause....

Long time since my last update!

I didnt feel my last bit of Pigmanorm helped at all, and I took a pause. No flaking at all for 2 weeks:D

I havent gotten my new tube yet, so Im just waiting.

I cant go in the drugstore at get it right away. Small country and strict rules. Im sure they are made for a reason. I did get a prescription from my hospital in mail, so Im very happy! Its not the normal rutine. 

This is how I normally can get a hold of ONE tube:

Doctor appointment:  14-21 days waiting  About 50 dollar

Doctor refferal in writing to the hospital:  3-4 months waiting   About 50 dollar

The prescription is printed on a special prescription for animals. VERY spesial treatment I would say!

No drugstore have it in stock:  1-2 weeks   Price tube: About 80 dollar

A new tube? Same routine all over again.

I can get Obagi Nu Derm today if I want for about 1000 dollar, a lot of money.  

Pigmanorm is one cream(easy), somewhat stronger, a lot cheaper and doesnt have extreme sideeffects. ...but Obagi did get the results I wanted - quite fast.. ugh.. Im not sure what to do.. 

I want to be free of this dicease!!

I gonna start over next wednesday!

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My town by the North Atlantic Ocean:)

Halloween!!

My oldest boy dressed like a zombie and had a 1,5 hour trip around the block with his scary friends. 

No tricks by the way, no no no.. just be polite and everybody gets candy;)

He got enough candy for a while and its like this every year. Generous neighbours:)

Mom, dad and baby brother had enough fun with a pumpkin. Scary? Not this one!

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Three weeks in..

Red on the spots

Uh, slowly progress girls! 

It seems like my camera has lighten my forehead, Im not this pale?! I cant see any difference daily, - thankfully I got a camera to document this, Im sure I would have given up a long time ago without it!

My skin got irritated again and I havent used it every day. Its normal, and its recommended to slow down a day or two when it happens. Still some flaking, but never in the same amount as Obagi. 

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The horrible storm "Sandy/Frankenstorm" in western US is hitting right now, 

we are following closely on TV and net. Scary!!

We hope everybody gets thru alive!

Its winter, and the candle lights are going to be used daily here, cosy and relaxing ;)

Im gonna continue yet another week on Pigmanorm;) See ya!

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The snow arrived no matter what!

Brrr...!

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Link to basic info about Melasma

Im googling from time to time, and today I came opon this site. The basic about Melasma updated 2012 ;)

                                                                        ---

I havent been to the drugstore yet, - better get moving! Hopefully it doesnt start snowing, but it did hail a couple of hours ago...bad bad bad.. I havent spike tires yet, so the snow better stay away! 

Psst! Its easy to leave a comment you dont need to confirm, - or just choose what you think below ;)

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Two weeks in..

This picture is taken from an different angle!

Gaahh! Im starting to loose my morals!

 I havent been consistant this week, used it only about 50%. My spots are stuck!

Luckily the sun isnt shining to much or strong anymore, so I can be outside with good conscience. 

It is mid fall and the forrest is yellow, red and brown, my favorite time of the year! Our temperature is approx 4-8 C during the day but falling weekly, and next week we will change our cars tires to winter, spike-tires(state law). We might see snow any day.. brrr...

I still need to use sunscreen throught the winter, that so weird! We normally dont do that cause we dont get any color. The sun is "cold" and feels just annoying cause its low in the horision. Difficult to drive at times, - dont see anything! Scared to hit an pedestrian any day! 

Im just emptying my Pigmanorm, and need to go to the drugstore with my new prescripion from my doctor.

My Pigmanorm has lasted 6 months and now its starting to get "old" brownish cream. Maybe its why I dont get any big effect? 

The same happende with Obagi, so be aware of expire dates!

Pleace write to me if you have any questions, and pimp my morals ;)

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One week in..

It has an effect, but had hoped for more! Im a little red on the last picture to, because I flaked 

and got quite red a couple of days this last week.  

I must try one more week ;)

This is what I use daily right now. Morning and night.
* Tretinoin cream (Retin A)
* Pigmanorm
* Obagi sunscreen SPF 35

Pleace contribute if you got pictures, or write a comment about your experience of these products :)

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Today..

This is me today.. Im still white in the middle of my forehead, pretty sure its a part of this disorder now.

Im using Pigmanorm(5% Hydroquinone) right now, and have been using this occasionally through the summer. 

I wonder if I must use Tretinoin(Retin A) at the same time..

Im starting today and Im gonna take daily pictures and post a follow-up in a week :) 

According to the spot I believed had dissapeared.. well Im not so possitive, but still dont know what happend. Im gonna watch it a bit more :)

Do you have before - after picture of you treatment? Pleace send me a picture! I can edit it if you cant do it yourself. (making it anonymous, just using a part of it)

mymelasma@gmail.com

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Obagi Nu Derm flaking

Visible side-effect. 

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My treatment using Obagi Nu Derm

Obagi NuDerm is quite expensive. It didnt take away my dermal Melasma, but faded it a lot as you can see. But it did remove epidermis Melasma that probably was hormon-related after giving birth - for sure. 

My skin wasnt as oily as seen on first picture, I had just put lotion on it!

The biggest difference in color happend in the first 14 days.

To sum up this skin system - excessive flaking, redness and soreness. Some days very bad, some days better. But it did help, and it did reduce wrinkles and tighten my skin. So Im very satisfied.

I can tell you that even a part of this dermal Melasma over left eyebrow disappeared just recently(about 14 days ago). I peeled of a thicker skinflake than normally and it was colorfree underneath. I was kinda shocked!

Usually the flaking is thin skin, so I cant see any huge daily difference of flaking. This flake seemed like several flaking-layers in one.
I didnt get sore on this spot. 

Im gonna watch it carefully a while to see if its gone forever, cause I wont tell lies about this or give anyone false expectations.

Maybe I just desperately want to see difference in my Melasma and have been dreaming this?! 

I gonna try the same procedure on another part of my Melasma from tonight. Just to check if it really can happen again:)
Im gonna update!

http://www.obagi.com/patients/product-line/nu-derm


Update 28 may 2013, 2 years after use

This system helped me get rid of Chloasma(hormonrelated "Melasma") but didnt help for my Melasma. It did help reduce the spots but they reappar in the sun anyway. I did use it for 40 days, not 4 months that is recommended, be aware of that..  
My best advice, always use sunscreen - even on rainy days!
I hope you will find our way of handling this illness, Im still struggling;)
Pleace tell me your experience, girls around all the whole world stops by this post;)

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This was me - august 2011

Yeah.. I got it really bad!

I apologize for not plucking my eyebrows before I took this picture!
I was to busy worrying about my Melasma at the time.. ;)

My Melasma occured a month after my second birth january 2011. It wasnt just my forehead, but chin,
chick and some on upper lip. All affected area is this dark or darker than this picture.
The midpart of my forehead got lighter without any reason as seen on this picture. I have noticed this on some Melasma-pics online.
I guess its a part of the disorder..

In the beginning I believed I got the pregnancy mask(Chloasma), and Im sure I did.
(Brownish spots - Epidermis Melasma)
The darker spots over each eyebrow didnt completly go away, an did re-occer this year.
(Greyish spots - Dermis Melasma. Difficult to get rid of, no cure at this time..)

My normal summer skincolor is supposed to be like the color on right side of
the picture by my hairline. Im white, but get easily tan.

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 I used SPF 15 daily right away, but it didnt stop evolving. I used foundation on top every day to cover it.
I googled hyperpigmentation a lot during this summer and noticed is was an disorder.

My first treatment was fresh pineapple. I cut pieces of pineapple and rubbed the juice in my spots. (Im not sure it had an effect, I didnt have the patience to wait long. I had read this tip online)
I will share pictures of parts of my face showing the progress of getting pale using Obagi Nu Derm.
Its not a cure, but a bleach prosess using Hydroquinone and Tretinoin(Retin A). Hydroquinone might be harmful, so always check with our doctor before you start using it!

Always use high sunscreen if you believe you got this disorder. SPF 15 was to little, at least 30 and up, and the best protection sunscreen contains Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide or Parsol 1789(avebensone).
I use Obagi SPF 35 with zinc. It isnt enought for me..

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Welcome to my blog!

Hi!

Im a woman from Norway who struggle with Melasma. I know im not alone in this world!
I live at the top of the world, cold klimat but the sun still shines occasionally;)

Be aware that Im not writing in my native language but use my english learned in school and after viewing american/britannic series/shows for two decades. Im sure it will occur many grammatical errors!

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