Uneven Pigment- Can it be Improved? (Part 1/2)

Hi Dr Irwin, Really enjoying the information you provide in your blog. What do you think about Meladerm? Is it really effective for discolorations? Hi Dr I. I usually use Blender Nu derm from Obagi contains Hydroquinon 4%. Can I change to another cheaper brand, but the same ingredients ; Hydroquinon too but maybe 2 or 5% usually from the pharmacy. Thank You My aesthetician advised me that Dermesse was created by the makers of Obagi and is the same thing, just less expensive. However, I see that Dermesse offers a 30% commission for sellers. I just want the best bang for my buck. I’m 52, and afraid to make mistakes at this juncture. Also, please recommend a reputable doctor in the Destin, FL, area for injectables, lasers, etc. My laser experiences have been very painful and the injectable for my tear troughs just looked like bumps. Tired of being duped.

Seems like once a month I see a new add for a “miracle” cure for uneven pigment problems. Is there really one? The answer is no; at least not yet. But …with patience, a good skin care plan and consistency you truly can improve this a lot!

Next week, I’ll do a second post on a regimen for those of you already doing everything below.

A few key points:

There is no single product or device that can cure pigment problems. It takes a village. 🙂
High zinc sunscreen (10-20% depending on activities) needs to be your BFF forever.
In the summer, or on sunny vacations, the goal is to not make it worse.

Comments on the questions: If you look at Meladerm ingredients, I count 51. Only 6-7 of those are active against pigment. The rest are just acting as a carrier or diluting the actives. Why not use a different plant based lightener that is more concentrated like our MadisonMD Uneven Pigment Fighter?

In general, it’s better to avoid hydroquinones except for short periods, like 3-4 months, and under the supervision of a doctor. They can be irritating which makes pigment worse, they can cause ochronosis if over used, and they are banned by the European Union now for possible cell altering qualities. Obagi has historically used hydroquinones in many of their products. Check to see if that’s true for Dermesse.

A good regimen to start with:

Morning:

Gentle Cleanser
Plant based lightener like those mentioned above
Antioxidant like our Triple Antioxidant or CE Ferrulic
Moisturizer if needed
High zinc sunscreen and a hat

Evening

Gentle cleanser
Plant based lightener like above or your prescription hydroquinone cream
Moisturizer if needed
Retinol or tretinoin (if not actively in the sun), or if in too much sun reapply the antioxidant or a niacinamide cream

Hope this helps,

Dr. Brandith Irwin