What you NEED to know about treating Melasma AT HOME the RIGHT way!

Are you struggling with Melasma and trying to find ways to treat it properly without expensive treatments? Today, Dr. Karam is breaking down what Melasma is, the cause of it, and ways you can be treating your Melasma at home today! Melasma is when dark patches of hyperpigmented skin occur, and is most commonly found on the face around the forehead, cheeks, and lips. There are a number of possible causes for Melasma, it being attributed to things like hormonal changes, sun exposure, and even certain products that may have been used on the skin. There are different invasive treatments for Melasma, including chemical peels and lasers, but Dr. Karam explains that these treatments are aggressive, but fail to address the core of the issue. There are gentler, and easier, ways to address and prevent Melasma through your skincare routine and skincare lifestyle.

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00:00 Melasma Misconception
01:26 What is Melasma?
06:30 Treatments for Melasma
17:32 Dr. Karam's Recommendations for Melasma

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[elmira]

I feel like trusting this doctor fully. His wife is a natural. She hasn’t done massive lip fillers or nose job or Botox, I don’t know why but that just makes me trust him even more. Happy I found this channel. I dissolved my tear trough fillers as well as my lip & jaw fillers today! I will do a face lift when I get older instead, no more fillers for me. They only make me look puffy and bloated. It only looks good the first few weeks! I regret all money I wasted on it and my face will never return to how it was before the fillers injections 100% but thank god I was able to dissolve most of it now.

[seetaramlochan]

I have suffered with melasma since my earlier 40's. A dermatologist made it worse by using the wrong laser treatment that resulted in the melasma getting worse. I am still trying to fix it. Thanks for your tip, I will try them.

[inspiredthanksforsharing]

I noticed after an injury and not being able to eat - which turned out to be fasting, my melasma went way down. Nutrition plays a big role. I was shocked how much it cleared up by reducing my carbs and eating a balance protein meal. That and sun protection is the clear answer!

[jessicama]

All of these treatments work, but keeping the moisture barrier strong is also something to address.

[charlydoumat]

I entered perimenopause prematurely at age 40. Hormonal changes gave me a severa case of melasma. Severe as I had brown patches everywhere, so much so I went into depression (clinical depression). I have been using Triluma which is sort of a trifecta for melasma, but it is not available in many places. And cannot be use during prolonged periods of time. It is available where I live and not very expensive. My uncle is my dermatologist, our approach was Triluma for 4 months as a shock treatment and then 4 months of Azelaic acid and Niacinamide alternating them in the evenings as a following up treatment. During the day I use Caudalie Vinoperfect, which has worked marvelously for me, SPF protection, reply every three hours. And then after the 4 months Retinol in the evenings (sandwiched) and Vinoperfect and mineral sun block during the daytime. I have seen relapses after a beach vacation or a day in a park. I have become a maniac and now. I got UVA protection patches in Paris and bought a bunch. I was in Cancun recently and use them, my face remained melasma free. Melasma is a lifelong issue, it takes time, energy and intention to keep it under control. If you have it become obsessed. It can be fix! YOU JUST NEED TO BE CONSISTENT AND DILIGENT WITH YOUR SKIN. Avoid sun at all costs and make sun block protection your religion, face, neck, chest and hands.

[lindsaymarie]

I got melasma whilst pregnant years ago & have had it ever since, it really knocks my confidence & looks like I have a moustache

[AlitaMee]

Melasma was a blessing in disguise. I would have never cared for skincare if i hadn't gotten it

[MaxxPwrrr]

After watching hundreds of videos I can say this has been the BEST and most informative melasma vid yet! THANK YOU :)

[dieutemple]

I had Laser done 10 years ago. It was amazing after menopause. It removed all my dark spots. Avoid sun since. My skin is now glowing. I’m told I look 40s as I’m 66 now.

[anncousins]

Great presentation. Have fair skin and have melasma made worse by IPL. I started treatment . After a month, my overall complexion seems brighter and brown spots are lighter. Thanks.

[KS-dfcp]

Hello Dr. Amir. May be I'm late in commenting and not sure if you will get to read this but let me still write as I am deeply grateful to you for creating this content.
I followed your advice and started with my severe malasma journey! Here is what I did :
1. Morning routine: In the 1st month, face wash + moisturizer + elta md spf 46 sunscreen. Reapplied sunscreen at least after every 4 hours when indoors.
2. If going out, used la Roche posay spf 100 sunscreen and wore cotton uv protecting hat ALL THE TIME
3. Night routine : Face wash + vitamin c 10% + la Roche hydrating moisturizer
Second month,
Morning : face wash + vitamin C + spf 30 at home.
If going out then Hat all the time ( I bought a matching one by now) + spf 100 with moisturizer
Night : face wash + ordinary alpha arbutin 2% + same la Roche moisturizer

After 2 Months with Hat, sunscreen and correct actives my horrible dark spots are visibly reduced. Darkness around the mouth is almost in control. I continue to take care of myself and extremely grateful to you for this content. Thank you so much!! Hope someday I will be able to afford your skin care and use the same. Lots of wishes .

[TanjaSchenker]

I‘m glad you said that you have to get to the core. But sun protection, Hydroquinone and other skin lighteners are not at the core. Melasma is caused by imbalanced hormones. You need to balance that first! That would be the core. Otherwise Melasma will always come back and never fully fade. Your tips are great but I would only recommend them aside from balancing the hormones (even if you’re not on birth control, because there are a lot of reasons why your hormones could be out of whack)

[did]

I have watched several videos from famous YouTube dermatologies but that one is the best.

[jeannieplaza]

I live in Hawaii and I have melasma. I’m using the Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% w/ Alpha Arbutin to suppress the melanin in my skin, Cerave AM facial moisturizing lotion with sunscreen w/ broad spectrum SPF 30 and Elta MD UV clear broad spectrum SPF 46. I started to get melasma in my late 30s and struggled for years until I learned about suppressing melanin 2 1/2 years ago. My melasma looks much more faded now but I’m my worse critic as I still want it completely gone. It’s hard to avoid the sunlight when you live in Hawaii. Going out completely covered makes you look crazy because it’s summer temp all year round. But for all those who suffer from this, you got to do what is necessary.

[Reincarnation]

I have found that a tiny wedge of a lemon rubbed on the melasma patch twice a day can make it disappear pretty well. Night time is best, and during the day if you can stay clear of the sun.

[kaylee]

Wow I’ve watched sooo many videos about Melasma and this the most detailed and helpful one I’ve seen!

[Leo_neo]

Currently doing some facials for this same problem I'm so happy I saw this.. Gives me a better insight

[DS-mhhb]

I love how much he helps his wife out and speaks so fondly of her. Makes me feel like he's trustworthy with a lady's appearance and does his homework regularly ... if only he were in Tennessee!

[carlacorsini]

I had melasma all my life. My skin is now perfect. Sun does not cause melasma; HEAT causes melasma. Mine would get worse after exercise etc. Chemical sunscreen, which traps heat against the skin, will make it worse. Avene 50+ mineral sunscreen was the miracle cure for me. Not all mineral sunscreens are created equal. I do not know the science behind the particular sun-blockers used in Avene, or their ratios, but it is different. It gives me baby skin. I tried several other brands then went back to Avene. It is extremely effective for melasma. Do not waste your money on treatments. Just use this beautiful lotion which lasts forever by the way and also is a nice base under make-up.

[SarahAdam-hh]

You are amazing educator and clearly very thoughtful physician