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“Melasma is a bitch.”
Courtesy of subject
Not allhyperpigmentationis melasma, but all melasma is hyperpigmentation.
Prior to being diagnosed with melasma in my early 30s, I referred to these patches as freckles.
Eventually, these freckles did not fade in the same way they used to once the winter months hit.
The author — slathered in sunscreen — prior to taking a course of oral tranexamic acid to treat her melasma.
It was time, I thought, to do something about it.
The author slathered in sunscreen prior to taking a course of oral tranexamic acid to treat her melasma.
And so I did.
One prescription later, I started a course of treatment that completely changed my face.
Meet the experts
What is melasma?
Because of that last one, pregnancy is a common trigger for melasma.
After taking oral tranexamic acid for three months, the author says her skin was “the clearest I had seen it in years.”
This punch in of flare up is often referred to as the mask of pregnancy.
But ultimately, Dr. Idriss says something as unassuming as a hot yoga class can cause melasma to form.
How should you treat melasma?
The kitchen sink approach includes a combination of over-the-counter and prescription topicals and laser treatments.
Essentially, hydroquinone decreases the production of melanin by inhibiting a pigment-producing enzyme called tyrosinase.
While these topicals have shown promise, by nature, many arent designed to treat more severe melasma.
What is oral tranexamic acid?
As Dr. Ostad said, oral tranexamic acid (OTA) inhibits the production of melanin in the skin.
I have all my patients [who are on OTA] take 650mg a day, says Dr. Idriss.
After taking oral tranexamic acid for three months, the author says her skin was “the clearest I had seen it in years.”
(Without insurance, a months supply can range between $50 to $100.)
Some people will have lasting results, while others may see their melasma return after a few months.
And if it does, its often recommended to take it again.
Bailly pictured before (left) and after taking oral tranexamic acid for about eight weeks.
One potential side effect of taking OTA isdeep vein thrombosisdue to blood clotting.
Birth control pills contain synthetic hormones, typically a combination of estrogen and progestin.
And as years go on, melasma can potentially lighten on its own.
But eventually I gave in, purchased a pill slicer, and began my course of treatment.
I usedNaturium UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50as a base andSupergoop!
Glow Stick SPF 50andNaked Sundays SPF 50+ Hydrating Glow Mist Top Upfor reapplication throughout the day.
Naturium
Naturium UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50
Target
Supergoop
Supergoop!
Glow Stick SPF 50
Amazon
Supergoop!
By the time I hit three months, my skin was almost completely melasma-free.
It was the clearest I had seen it in years.
My PMS symptoms lessened and my period flow was much lighter.
But you guessed it they came back a few months later.
Bailly pictured before (left) and after taking oral tranexamic acid for about eight weeks.
But she was prepared to give it a shot and was thrilled to be proven wrong.
She started to see very noticeable improvement in her pigmentation around week six.
Pleased with the results, she promptly stopped taking the medication a couple weeks later.
Compliance is not my strong suit, she says.
And what about today, months later?
What if my melasma returns?
Read more about hyperpigmentation:
Watch a dermatologist’s entire daily routine:
