Melasma

Thanks for your question. Melasma can also be called hyperpigmentation, and basically, it means the skin gets darker in places. Usually, the darker skin doesn’t occur all over, like a nice tan, but in blotches and spots. Scientists aren’t sure why chemotherapy causes hyperpigmentation. (Aside from Tamoxifen, culprit drugs include Alkeran®, Myleran®, Cytoxan®, 5-FU, Adriamycin®, and more.) It may have something to do with inflammation, stimulation of skin-color cells, or toxicity. Radiation, of course, can cause it at the treatment sight. Like most side effects, it typically fades within 10-12 weeks of the last treatment, but sometimes, it becomes a long-term, unwelcome guest. I would suggest the following steps for you:

1) First of all (especially now that you are no longer undergoing treatment) add serious exfoliation to your daily routine. You need to loosen up the dead cells on the top layer of skin so that new, younger cells can come forward. Try natural facial scrubs or enzyme peels like Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Pee or microdermabrasion at your local spa, or an organic at-home scrub.

2) Next, become obsessed with protecting yourself from the sun. UV rays trigger the production of melanin, the pigment that produces skin color—and darkened areas are particularly susceptible—so cover up with clothing and physical sunblock (chemical-free), like zinc and titanium oxide of at least SPF 30.

3) Now, you asked me for a cream to fade the spots and that is the next step. Unfortunately, many include the bleaching agent “hyroquinone,” basically, because it does lighten. However, the Environmental Working Group has assigned a “hazardous” warning to this ingredient. It has shown mutagenic (potentially cancer-causing) activity in lab studies, has been found to contain traces of mercury, and has been banned in the European Union and in Japan. In rare cases it can lead to a skin disease called ochnronosis, and prolonged use can thicken collagen fibers and damage connecting tissues, making your situation worse.

Instead, try one of the many hydroquinone-free products out there, most of which use kojic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, vitamin C, arbutin, and niacinimide (a form of vitamin B) to lighten. Some clean and safe products I like are Miessence Probiotic Lightening fluid, Naturopathica Botanical Skin Brightener or Suki's Targeted Bio-Brightening Face Serum.

4)Supplementation can also help you with the discoloration from the inside out. GliSODin Skin Nutrients has extensive research behind their product. Check them out.

Make sure you give any product at least 2-3 months to work. Wear your sunblock diligently and exfoliate twice a week.

Let me know how you do!
Thanks Thanks for your question. Melasma can also be called hyperpigmentation, and basically, it means the skin gets darker in places. Usually, the darker skin doesn’t occur all over, like a nice tan, but in blotches and spots. Scientists aren’t sure why chemotherapy causes hyperpigmentation. (Aside from Tamoxifen, culprit drugs include Alkeran®, Myleran®, Cytoxan®, 5-FU, Adriamycin®, and more.) It may have something to do with inflammation, stimulation of skin-color cells, or toxicity. Radiation, of course, can cause it at the treatment sight. Like most side effects, it typically fades within 10-12 weeks of the last treatment, but sometimes, it becomes a long-term, unwelcome guest. I would suggest the following steps for you:

1) First of all (especially now that you are no longer undergoing treatment) add serious exfoliation to your daily routine. You need to loosen up the dead cells on the top layer of skin so that new, younger cells can come forward. Try natural facial scrubs or enzyme peels like Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Pee or microdermabrasion at your local spa, or an organic at-home scrub.

2) Next, become obsessed with protecting yourself from the sun. UV rays trigger the production of melanin, the pigment that produces skin color—and darkened areas are particularly susceptible—so cover up with clothing and physical sunblock (chemical-free), like zinc and titanium oxide of at least SPF 30.

3) Now, you asked me for a cream to fade the spots and that is the next step. Unfortunately, many include the bleaching agent “hyroquinone,” basically, because it does lighten. However, the Environmental Working Group has assigned a “hazardous” warning to this ingredient. It has shown mutagenic (potentially cancer-causing) activity in lab studies, has been found to contain traces of mercury, and has been banned in the European Union and in Japan. In rare cases it can lead to a skin disease called ochnronosis, and prolonged use can thicken collagen fibers and damage connecting tissues, making your situation worse.

Instead, try one of the many hydroquinone-free products out there, most of which use kojic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, vitamin C, arbutin, and niacinimide (a form of vitamin B) to lighten. Some clean and safe products I like are Miessence Probiotic Lightening fluid, Naturopathica Botanical Skin Brightener or Suki's Targeted Bio-Brightening Face Serum.

4)Supplementation can also help you with the discoloration from the inside out. GliSODin Skin Nutrients has extensive research behind their product. Check them out.

Make sure you give any product at least 2-3 months to work. Wear your sunblock diligently and exfoliate twice a week.

Let me know how you do!
Thanks

Melasma is discoloration of the skin and is also known as hyperpigmentation. Melasma is discoloration of the skin and is also known as hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation is a skin reaction in which patches of skin or the skin overall may become darker in color due to the release of melanin. Melanin is a pigment in skin cells that gives the skin its color. Hyperpigmentation is usually a harmless condition that resolves itself at the end of the treatment.

Hyperpigmentation may be caused by medications or it may be a phototoxic reaction. Some chemotherapy agents can cause blotchy or generalized hyperpigmentation. This darkening of the skin may occur around the joints or under the nails, in the mouth or along the vein used to infuse chemotherapy drug. Sometimes it's limited just to the site of infusion; but sometimes it's more generalized and covers larger areas of the body.

This blotchiness or darkening of the skin often appears 2 to 3 weeks after chemotherapy treatment begins and disappears or goes away as new skin cells are generated and replace the dead cells 10 to 12 weeks after treatment is over. Chemotherapy agents associated with temporary pigmentation are melphalan, busulfan, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouacil, adriamycin, daunorubicin, bleomycin, and topical BCNU.
Hyperpigmentation is a skin reaction in which patches of skin or the skin overall may become darker in color due to the release of melanin. Melanin is a pigment in skin cells that gives the skin its color. Hyperpigmentation is usually a harmless condition that resolves itself at the end of the treatment.

Hyperpigmentation may be caused by medications or it may be a phototoxic reaction. Some chemotherapy agents can cause blotchy or generalized hyperpigmentation. This darkening of the skin may occur around the joints or under the nails, in the mouth or along the vein used to infuse chemotherapy drug. Sometimes it's limited just to the site of infusion; but sometimes it's more generalized and covers larger areas of the body.

This blotchiness or darkening of the skin often appears 2 to 3 weeks after chemotherapy treatment begins and disappears or goes away as new skin cells are generated and replace the dead cells 10 to 12 weeks after treatment is over. Chemotherapy agents associated with temporary pigmentation are melphalan, busulfan, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouacil, adriamycin, daunorubicin, bleomycin, and topical BCNU.