Anyone else get brown patches on face in summer?

R

Roses

Cathlete
Anyone else get these lovely brown patches on their face? I don't get them anywhere but my face. It almost looks like I have a mustache because its particularly bad right above my lip. I never had them until I had kids. I haven't been on the pill for about 8 years. I've been to the dermatologist a couple of times over the past few years, and he says to stay out of the sun and use a high sunscreen. He gave me a prescription skin bleacher and Retin A which doesn't seem to help much. Anytime I get out in sun near water, with a hat and spf 30 applied every couple hours, I still get these brown patches. They always fade in winter, but as soon as I take my kids to the pool or beach, there they are again. This year seems even worse since we went to Florida over spring break.

Presently, I seem resigned to try to somewhat mask them with concealer. I refuse to not take my kids out and have fun in the sun just because I'll get these patches. Just wondered if anyone else has them and if they do, is there anything that helps?

Sami
 
Hi Sami!

I don't get the brown spots myself, but I may know of something that might help. Mary Kay has a product called Spot Solution, Skin Lightening Cream. I don't personally know anyone who has tried it yet (maybe someone here has and can enlighten us) but it is worth a try. They have great skin care products.
 
I part my hair on the side and one side of my forehead (where the part is) gets a brown patch every summer. I think its from sunburns in the past. Both my boys play baseball all summer long and so it's very difficult to avoid the sun. I'm trying to be more regular about sunscreen (Banana Boat for face)and I bought some visors at Target that I wear at the games to cover up my forehead and provide some shade for my face.
I haven't tried any skin lighteners - just preventive measures.
I'd be interested in hearing from others too.

Margie
 
I get those brown patches, too. My doctor told me they're caused by hormones. I got them for the first time right after I had a baby. I got them on my upper lip, just like you. From a distance, it looked like I had a mustache. They eventually faded, but sometimes come back. Not always in the same places, however. The weird thing is, if I DON'T wear suncreen, I don't get them. Put it on once and there they are! Weird, huh?
 
Let me ask you a question. Do you enjoy anything with a lime or lime juice in it while in the sun?

There is a certain sensitivity some people have, including myself, where lime juice on skin in the presence of sunlight turns your skin brown.

This was baffling to me, and my internist sent me to a dermatologist. He knew rithgt away what it was, and gave me a fade cream fot it . It works but takes time. Try seeing a dermatologist.

I have learned to skip the Corona's with lime and margaritas and bloody marys with lime while in the sun. Even lime-ade type drinks are out.

This may not be your situation, but I thought I might share my experience with you.

Judy

May God always grant you a sunbeam to warm you... a moonbeam to charm you...& a sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you :)
 
Sami, I have had Melasma (now we have a name for it!)for years. In my case it is caused by a combo of Birth Control pills and sun. The fade cream with the 2% hydroquinone in it (Porcelana) that used to work for me no longer works. The doctor can prescribe a higher dose topical cream or oral medication. My next visit to the doc is for this reason. I have it on my upper lip and across the bridge of my nose. I plan to use the higher dose cream first and then try the oral medication if the cream does not work. I really can't go off Birth Control because it makes my periods less severe.

If you have not tried the over the counter cream, try it first because it did work for me for a number of years.

Deb
 
Thanks Guys!

Judy~~

I usually have the girls running around, so I don't drink anything except water or diet coke. No lime. That's something I never thought of! I'll make sure I don't start......I'll stick to my occasional beer though!

Deb~~

I feel mine also started from a combination of the pill, sun, and childbirth. That was the summer it all started, 11 years ago. I just used this morning the fade cream with 2% hydroquinone. I typically use it twice a day in the summer. I think I will call my dermatologist and ask about this pill you mentioned. He has never mentioned that to me before. Thanks for the info!

Sami
 
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