How To Treat Melasma From the Inside and Why Topical Treatments Don't Work
WHY TOPICAL TREATMENTS DON’T GET RID OF MELASMA
If you have melasma, then you already know that all the recommendations for how to get rid of this stubborn skin condition are based on topical treatments.
If you seek out a solution to get rid of the dark patches on your face, you’ve probably found that everyone is recommending lasers, peels, exfoliation, acids, and lightening creams like hydroquinone (which has now been banned in the U.S. without a prescription, and for good reason).
But if these topical treatments were really the right solution for healing melasma, then why aren’t they working better?
Why do most women with melasma have to keep trying one topical treatment after another because they aren’t seeing results?
And why do so many women say their melasma is ever worse after using these topical treatments?
It’s because melasma is not caused by a topical issue.
Melasma is caused by an imbalance somewhere in the body that makes the melanocytes become overactive. You can read all about melasma and what causes it here.
The problem with using topical treatments is that melasma is triggered by an imbalance, so only addressing it with a topical treatment doesn't solve the root cause, or trigger. If you don’t address the root cause that is triggering the melasma, then the dark patches will keep coming back.
Therefore when someone stops using the topical creams, or months after having a laser or peel, the melasma often returns (and sometimes worse than before). Topical treatments are only a band-aid, covering up the symptom for a little while, but not actually fixing the root cause - so the melasma eventually comes back.
This is also why most women are frustrated after trying topical treatment after topical treatment. Trying to address melasma from the outside will not usually resolve it permanently.
Melasma is a stubborn skin condition, but I believe what makes it seem even harder to get rid of, is that people are trying to get rid of it in the wrong way.
Just because we can see melasma on the outside of our body, doesn't mean it can be healed with something topical. Your skin is an organ, and skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and melasma are mostly caused by an internal imbalance.
Topical treatments are trying to target a skin condition that's caused by an internal imbalance. So, any topical treatment is only ever a temporary fix because whatever is causing the melasma to begin with, is still there.
Although it seems like melasma is an external issue because it shows up on the outside of the body, it’s actually just a symptom of something out of balance, so that imbalance needs to be addressed for the melasma to go away for good.
HOW TO HEAL MELASMA
So, when you’re trying to heal your skin, it's best to not hyper-focus on the melasma, which is just a symptom, but ask ‘why’ you have the melasma in the first place.
Look at what things are potentially out of balance in your body (gut issues, hormone issues, adrenal fatigue from chronic stress, nutrient imbalances, mineral imbalances, etc), or anything that you’ve experienced/gone through/been exposed to (stress, trauma, hormonal birth control, copper IUD, etc), or anything you’ve done excessively (drinking a lot of alcohol, unhealthy fat consumption, etc), and address those.
I’m definitely not saying that these things are your fault. These are often things we’re exposed to that we didn’t know could affect us in a negative way. And some things are unavoidable, like stress.
But even though it’s NOT your fault, it is going to be up to you to mend the issue.
The issue with topical treatments is that they’re trying to hyper-focus on the melasma itself, but if an internal issue is causing the overactive melanocytes, then topicals cannot fix that. The melasma likely keeps coming back for most women because they haven’t addressed the root cause.
This is the most misunderstood thing about melasma. It’s not a topical issue.
I often see posts or articles from other people who might even acknowledge that melasma is a hormonal issue, but they still then recommend a topical treatment. I don’t understand this. If they know hormones play a role, then why use a topical treatment?
Hormones can be rebalanced through lifestyle and nutrition (and if you’re perimenopausal or menopausal then lifestyle, nutrition, and potentially hormone replacement therapy).
The point is, melasma is a physical manifestation of an imbalance so to get rid of it for good you must get to the root cause.
Figure out what’s triggering it + address that imbalance.
Solve the problem, not the symptom.
In the Melasma Free Method online course, I teach you about all the common triggers for melasma, how to identify your triggers, and what to do for them.
I also give you a Skincare Guide with my recommendations for what type of skincare routine is best for skin with melasma + can even help repair any damage that may have been done from numerous topical treatments.
This is how I addressed my severe melasma many years ago, and it’s the same process I take my clients through.
If you choose to use a topical treatment for melasma, that’s your choice. I’m certainly not trying to shame anyone for that choice.
I had terrible melasma that affected my entire life, so I completely understand the temptation and desire to try a topical solution that promises quick results.
But my job as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner is to help clients/students get to the root cause of their melasma, so that’s what I’m focused on helping you do.
To get rid of melasma long term, you must get to the root cause/imbalance + fix that, so skin can heal.
Most people think melasma always comes back because they've been trying only topical treatments.
It's true that some women are prone to melasma, and different imbalances can trigger it, so even if it did return, that's just your body's way of telling you that you need to address an imbalance. The good thing is you would know what to do about it.
This is the difference between something that is just covering symptoms vs getting to the root cause!
Don’t miss out on my FREE MASTERCLASS all about Reversing Melasma naturally!
IN THIS VIDEO YOU’LL LEARN:
My story with melasma + reversing it many years ago
Why you haven’t been able to get rid of your melasma (up until now)
What really needs to be done to get clear, radiant skin