my updated skincare regimen: hydroquinone

Since my 'life changing skin care regimen' post was so popular, I decided to fill all you readers in on my updated regimen, since it has changed a little bit.  This is partly due to my new Birchbox findings, and partly due to being frustrated with my severe melasma issues.  I was so diligent about protecting my face for over a year for wedding preparations that I only wore sunscreen for my honeymoon.  Well, if you know anything about melasma then you probably know that the Caribbean sun isn't the best for your already sun-damaged skin.  While I didn't get sunburned, just being in the sun for a few minutes caused my spots to darken.  I was expecting it, but it was still frustrating to have undone all the work that I had been doing for over a year.

With a recommendation from a friend, I started seeing a new, no nonsense dermatologist.  With my request, she put me on Hydroquinone.  Now, I am not advocating for everyone to go out and ask their doctors for a hydroquinone prescription.  It is serious stuff that is thought to be carcinogenic and has been banned in several European countries.  The FDA also proposed a ban on it in the US in 2006, but has since said it is 'safe in its current use.'

With all the risks aside, I began using it because I knew that it was only temporary.  You use it, it lightens the dark spots on your face (ideally), and then you stop.  I have to say, that within about two weeks, it had drastically lightened the severely darkened area on my forehead.  Within a week, it had completely lightened the dark patches on my upper lip, which were the most unsightly in my opinion.  My forehead still has a ways to go, but I am overall happy with the results.

I am looking forward to being able to stop using it (hopefully) soon, but in the meantime, I am protecting my face like a crazy person by using umbrellas while out in the sun, wearing huts, and applying sunscreen like a mad woman.  If you have severe melasma that cannot be covered my makeup, such as mine, and have unsuccessfully tried other methods, I would talk with your doctor and see what your options are.  Like I said previously, though, I think that it truly should be a last resort and should absolutely not be used long term.