Does anyone on this post tried Dermelan, R and M. Any thoughts, guidance, suggestions...? I used to use old Amelan and now I purchased Dermelan R and I am a bit sceptical of using it and irritating my skin. I wonder if I get any decent results?

Dermalan works great! (not sure if it is legal in USA).
We are going to try Cosmelan MD (we hear good things about it).
Melange is ok, but not great (so far in our experience).

Hey All,
Well, I had my follow up with my nurse yesturday. She applied my follow up mask just on certain spots. I'm really red in those areas again but now I know what to expect. She said she was pleased with the right side of my face, but the left didn't lift very much. I'll let you know how it goes.

rnewman, How are you doing? I was happy to hear about your breakthrough. I think your theory about my melasma is correct about the sun exposure from driving in the car.

Ami, I know what you mean about the C2. It doesn't absorb well. That sounds like a great idea. Do you notice a difference at all?

Have a great weekend all. And remember your sunblock:-)

I wish I had better news of my usage of the cosmelan, but I don't. I have been diligent on the forehead but I can't use it on the rest of my face. My skin is so sensative and it really burns when i use the C2 and K cream. The Dr gave me a cream called emlite which I have been using and it does not burn at all. It is probably not as potent as the C but jees my face felt like it iwas on fire and so so red. The Dr adv that this is normal and won't hurt the skin, but I have doubts especially after the vitalize peel. I think my whole face is actually worse.

I do notice a slight lightening on the forehead but not the results that I had dreamed of. I have resolved myself that it is really not as terrible as i think.

This will be a slow slow process and hopefully I can reap some benefit. The office keeps trying to sell me expensive lotions and potions which I just can't afford. I am in a grand and that is it for me...

Ami how are you doing?

Does anyone know of a place in Michigan or Canada that has the old Cosmelan formula? PLEASE!!!!

Hi guys,

I am at Day 9 and I was at the get together party on Saturday and there were people who saw me two months earlier and first thing they said what did I do to my Melasma, it is lightened up a lot according to them however I still see it a lot. I guess we know where it is and we will notice always. Now I do not need to put very heavy foundation. I am still peeling around the lips. I use C2 only in the evenings and at night twice a day and hoping to clear at least 90%. I did the mask by myself and kept it for 10 hours. I was little red and I am still little bit red but I think it is working.

Hope your skin gets better rnewman and you will be able to reapply C2 again.

WT, you just mentioned that you are doing the mask again, after how many days you are redoing it??

Thank you and good luck girls.

ami

Glad t hear the good news Ami! I think it bothers us more thananyone else. I study everybodys face and it's not that bad. It really is what is on the inside and as we get older we have to try a little harder to be as cute as we once were.

Still a slow process but i am feeling so much better abt myself. I hated being so red. I am still using it on the forhead and we will see how it goes. if I have sucess i will redo it on the rest of my face.

Howdy Girls,
Well, I look like I got punched in the eye, really. My nurse rubbed that prep stuff in so hard under my right eye that when I removed my mask 9 hours later, it was raw and now I have a black scab where the Melasma was. I actually looked better with the Melasma. I know it's only temporary. I hope it doesn't create a permanent scar.

Ami, when I had the original mask done, they scheduled me for a follow-up 4 weeks later and that is when they did the touch-up mask. (when I got the "black eye") So if you are doing it yourself, it's safe to say that you can re-apply 4 weeks after. But they didn't do the whole face again, just directly on my spots. So where did you get your mask, Ami? Is it the original version? The second version? Or the MD version? What did it cost you? I really think it works. I was looking pretty good until I did the touch up.

And yes, you are right, rnewman, inside is much more important than outside. I'm sure your skin looks much better than before, but we are our worst critics.

Take care, Girls. I will let you know the outcome.

Dermal melasma and epidermal melasma:
The macular hyperpigmentation of melasma is commonly tan to brown. Blue or black may be evident in patients with dermal melasma. The distribution is 1 of 3 patterns: centrofacial, malar, or mandibular. A rare pattern confined to the forearms is seen in women receiving exogenous progesterone and in Native American Indians.
The excess melanin can be visually localized to the epidermis or the dermis by use of a Wood lamp (wavelength, 340-400 nm).
Epidermal pigment is enhanced during examination with a Wood light, whereas, dermal pigment is not.
Clinically, a large amount of dermal melanin is suspected if the hyperpigmentation is bluish black.
In individuals with dark-brown skin, examination with a Wood light does not localize pigment, and these patients are thus classified as indeterminate.
Azelaic acid, available as a 20% cream-based formulation, appears to be as effective as 4% HQ and superior to 2% HQ in the treatment of melasma.9, 10 The mechanism of action is not fully understood. DNA synthesis is reduced, and mitochondrial cellular energy products are inhibited in melanocytes. Unlike HQ, azelaic acid seems to target only hyperactive melanocytes and thus will not lighten skin with normally functioning melanocytes. The primary adverse effect is skin irritation. No phototoxic or photoallergic reactions have been reported.
=================================================
Recently the Q-switched Nd:Yag Laser has shown promise removing melasma. It generally fades it in the same way tattoos are removed. Numbing creme prior to the procedure makes it tolerable, and it is easier for the patient than Cosmelen2(the old formula). Of course, like with all Melasma treatments, unprotected sunlight should be avoided.
I suggest you go to an MD that removes tattoos with a Q-switched Nd:Yag Laser, but avoid the Dr Tattoffs, or TattooMDLA or those other "factories" where a technician/nurse wields the laser. (You might be "seen" by the M.D. initially at these places, but you should have the experienced eye of an M.D. complete the entire melasma treatment)
=================================================
Locate a board-certified laser doc at the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery in your area at their website:
http://www.aslms.org/locate/index.shtml
then call the office and find out if they have a Q-switched Nd:Yag Laser (Palomer Yag 5, Hoya ConBio c6 or Revlite are some of the most advanced),
then MAKE SURE THE M.D. DOES ALL THE TREATMENTS HERSELF.
Good luck.

Is Dermelan as good as th original Cosmelan? I was told Cosmelan is discontinued . Is this true?

Hello,
Well, no more black eye. Thank goodness the scab fell off. My skin is looking much better. I still have some improving to do.

Ami, I never heard back from you about where you got your mask. I wanted to know which version you had. I think I will do it myself next time, if I decide to do it again, or go to Dr. Youssef. I've been told he has the original formula.

Is it true that the orignial formula had Azelaic acid in it rather than the HQ?
If I read the info above provided by LaserMD (thank you) correctly, that might even work better for some.

I'm not giving up hope. In fact, my skin is much nicer now than before Cosmelan MD. So I am pleased. And I think it will continue to improve. The trick will be to protect my skin in summer and still enjoy the great outdoors. I use Neutragina 70 with Hellioplex and Sheseido 55 sunblock. I'm trying to cover all my basis.

Keep us posted on your progress, ladies.

Hi,
Well I had to stop the c2 on my cheeks b/c of the redness and burning sensation, but continue to use it onmy forhead. I am seeing an inprovement but nothing like they claim. I am spot using it on a few areas and it actually burned me on my chin. I am going to see what it looks like is a few days and if it looks good then i will continue in small areas of my checks. I'm not real sure abt the emlite that the dr put me on instead of the c2 but i am very glad to be off of the hydroquinone and my skin looks better (except for the brown :)) I am going back to the dr on friday and will see what she says. I am still optimistic and will continue the treatments...

WT what is Seseido 55 sunblock? Are u using both at the same time? I am also using the neutrogena 70. Summer is almost here and I don't want it to get worse.

Hope all is well w/ everyone

Stay beautiful

Hi rnewman,
I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with C2. It is pretty harsh on the skin. Sheido 55 is a sunscreen. It has the highest Zink oxide coverage that I have found which protects from UVA and UVB alike. It isn't irritating to the skin, and with all that we have been putting our skin through lately, we should try to be gentle when we can. The most important reason I use it is it goes on great, absorbs quickly and leaves the skin looking dewie but not oily. I love it. I do use both, however, because I have invested so much in lightening the dark spots that I don't want to take any chances. I've never heard of emlite. I am going to look into that.

I think it's spelled Sheseido. They sell it at Nordstrom for around 40 dollars.

Hi WT,
So what would u say your improvement level is? How bad was your melsma? Was it due to pregnancy or the sun? Mine 1st started w/ the sun and then it became bad w/ pregnancy. I had the vitalize peel and it fried my skin and made the melsma 50Xworse and I have been fighting it ever since. Didn't you use the new formula? The old stuff is really harsh stuff. Are u using both sunscreens at the same time or r u alternating? What is the difference btw the 2?

Thanks
Stay beautiful

Hi rnewman,
I think my melasma is 70% better. My melasma is not all over my face. It is under my eyes, right above my cheeks. so it was really noticeable. It came on with pregnancy. Ah, the joys of motherhood.

Vitalize peel? Is that the Vi Peel that came out of Texas? I was looking into that.

I did get Cosmelan MD version. I think my skin can handle the old version, if I do it again.

The sunscreens... Neutragina 70 is what they call a chemical sunscreen and Sheseido is more of a natural sunscreen. So the sun bounces off of Sheseido whereas the neutragina breaks it up. So you will still get a tan with chemical sunscreens, but are protected from the harmful rays. With the natural sunscreens (Zinc and Titanium dioxide) if it's high enough and applied as directed, you will not get a tan. The problem is they tend to leave your skin looking white, kind of like the C2. In fact, I think it has Titanium dioxide in it. But Sheseido 55 does not leave your skin looking ghostly. So that's my layman's interpretation of the differences. You doctors out there, feel free to correct me. And thanks in advance.

To answer your other question, yes, I use both. First the Neutragina and then Sheseido. My makeup goes on great.
I hope I answered all your questions.

Still waiting to hear from Ami.

Take care.

I had the old CI done about two years ago and had Amazing results. Last year I had the new version of C1 and C2 and had Zero results. The new formulation sucks!!!!! I was told that it is impossible to get the old Cosmelan procedure done... I have been searching for over a year and have had no luck. I was so happy to hear that some Doctors can still perform/apply the "old Cosmelan" I live in Seal Beach and would like to know if any one could refer a Doctor that has the "old Cosmelan" Please Help CR

QC.

Did you use the new or old formulation. I am also curious! the way you applied CI and C2 is completely different than others. Who recommended this application and where did you get you CI and C2 If I could purchase it online and save some money would be breat. Please email me cgastelum69@aol.com

Hi all,
The process is moving slow but my face gets better every day. i would say it is probably 20% better. The emlite has made my face really smooth and is slowly working on my cheeks. Still using the C2 on the forehead and there is improvement. I am just one of those tough cases to treat and I will probably have to wait 5 months to see optimal results. My Dr advised a product called luciderm which is very similar to cosmelan and it is a fraction of the price. I will give it a shot after I run out of the c2.

Hi Renewman and WT,

Sorry, I was on vacation for two weeks and I think I did post a reply the other day, I am not where did it go. Today I happened to check the site and it is not there.

I am glad that you see the difference Renewman however I do not have much differece. I might say 10% but while I was on vacation I did not use C2 at all. Now I just got back into it. I get so much peeling though but I am not that happy. I think my situation is like yours WT. I have 17 years old melasma and then 3 years ago I did the lazer I guess that made it so worse that I badly needed the treatment. I will not be giving up either.

I bought from the following site for $475US. Since I am in Canada and I did not find any doctor's office will do for me. I did it by myself. I think I should do the mask again as you Renewman did it.

Here is the link:
http://www.skinstore4less.com/pages-brand/mesoestetic.html

Good luck to both of you and hopefully one day we all be free of melasma. Sometimes I say to myself that I will stop putting all those chemicals on my face but then I cannot face the public.

Anyways take care girls.

ami

Hi,
I too have "terrible face" syndrome as well. I have learned to work on the inside to make up for the outside. The melsma was pretty devestating since i was an actractive girl. I am extremly pretty on the inside but knew that my looks carried me through life. I am working on being a better person on the inside and not passing judgement on those who I do not know. I will teach my daughter the same. My melsma is "slowly improving: but I do not think I will ever be free of it. It really sucks b/c I would love another baby. Stay beautiful...rnewman

Please email lagurly at yahoo.com if you know ANYONE that has access to the old formula -- anyone - please. I do live in Santa Monica, but I will buy it from anyone (not eBay) that has it - please please help

My Doc has the old..www.theplasticsurgeryspa.com. I have been using emlite and like it. The c1-2 is $850.00 and the emlite is $100.00. I would try that 1st.

Hi Christina,

If you read some of the earlier posts I think his name is Dr. Youseff he's in Santa Monica and he supposedly carries the old formula. I got mine done last year and they had the old formula with Total Dermatology their in Irvine, try them too.

Has anyone found someone who sells the old and it works right????
Please email me at debbieg_34@hotmail.com if you have the number to the old cosmelan

?????

I'm on my 5th day of havibng this mask put on my face. Im using dermanlan (I carn't spell it). I am peeling like mad! I thought once the 'easy' peeling came off that would be it-but I'm going through the flaky stage, then another stage of flaking....followed by more! I'm type 1-2 skin type-very fair. I had the mask on for 8hrs. I don't think the peeling/tightness will fade anytime soon-but that's ok at least I know it's doing it's thing and what it's supposed to do. It's VERY uncomfortable and itchy. Im trying to make the K cream last but it's only a small tube! I've noticed (only after 5 days) some freckles dissapear! Amazing. It's very early days but I have a feeling this treatment will work for me. Im glad Ive done it. Although Im very irritable with the side affects of this mask - im seeing results already. All I can say is 'STOP THIS ITCHING...IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!' He he

Hey All,

It's been a while. Well I had great results with the cosmelan MD, so I thought. My Melasma started to darken, and I was still using the C2 md version. I went in to my Dr.'s office and she said it was time for me to get off the C2 md version because it has HQ in it and after 3 months you need to give your skin a break. She gave me the regular (new formula) C2. The one without HQ that people were saying did nothing for them. I could tell it was actually doing something. My skin finally started to peel again (just a little). My nurse said that the MD with HQ works for around 95%, but I was part of the 5% that it didn't, because it was already coming back. She was doing some research and was going to call me back. I asked about Azealic acid because there is no time limit as far as use of that acid, and from what I hear, it was in the original formula of Cosmelan. It turns out my office doesn't offer Azealic acid anymore. But she did offer to reapply a C1 mask, but the new version without the HQ in it. She said they have had success with some patients that were resistant to HQ. I will let you know how it goes. Never give up.
I am thinking about putting a thin layer of plastic over my mask, like QC did, just to try to make it more effective.

Take care,
WT

Has anyone heard of Melanage a depigmentation product made by Young Pharmaceuticals? It is supposed to be better than Cosmelan and less expensive. It comes as a complete kit. Would be very interested to hear of anyone using it and the results you have seen.

As a spa owner...Is anyone getting fed up with the games and deception mesoestic is playing with cosmelan? I've read several of the posts and it is outrageous to me what business owners and clients are going through. What formula are you getting?? the old, the new, a hybrid ??? You can never get a straight answer from this company and the customer service is horrible. They do not stand behind their product. Any problems..it is your fault..you are stuck. I have heard the original formula has always been available but it was reserved for spas that have huge orders. The rest of us suffer mixing syringes! I for one am done with this company. I have been testing Melanage on my clients. The results have been very similar to the original Cosmelan.

I work for a dermatologist in California. Like many of you, we were using Cosmelan. There were soooooooo many problems with the product, messed up orders and a lack of customer service, we switched over to Melanage. We have been using Melanage for about 3 months now. We are very happy with the results and so are my patients. Melanage is mixed just before you apply the product so it is potent and effective. The home maintenance program is easy to follow and comes with everything you need. With Cosmelan, you have to purchase moisturizers and sunscreens separately at an additional cost. Very tough sell in this economy for some patients. We will never go back to Cosmelan.

I checked out Young Pharmaceuticals and can't find Melange. Am I looking in the right place?

Hi everyone, I bought cosmelan pack off ebay and have a questions.
When I opened the box, I was totally upset, coz the C1 was hard paste.
I thought it was suppose to be cream...
Do you think this is fake? or too old?? (expired date is jan/2010)
What Can I do?? I thought about mixing with hydra-vital factor K to make the paste spredable..
but is it really good idea?

If you know anything Please let me know. Thank you!!

Alfie
I have seen this as well. Mix a little water in the jar and blend it into a softer paste then apply. Works fine....

Thank you for your reply LA MD!
I will try to mix it with water. will post how it went;)

I am putting mask on,, but no tingly sensation.
I've read a lot of people had redness or peeling afterwards.
Is it normal I don't feel anything yet??

Howdy, Everyone.

I was wondering if any of you have tried Vivite Vibrance. It has no HQ, and I have been reading about it. Not pleased with Cosmelan. Big waste of money, in my opinion. I tried the Cosmelan MD and then the new Cosmelan. The MD did lighten my Melasma and it looked very promising, but then, while still using C2, it came back with a vengeance. Never give up. Thanks for your info.

WT

I did melanage treatment 16 days ago -my dark patches disappeared.I had melasma for 4 years(on my checks,mustache area and forhead).before melanage i tried a lot of different stuff but nothing worked for me.
Seriously melanage really working.If some of you have melasma I totally recomenend this treatment.I fell like different person now.

My dermatologist says there is another new formulation for Cosmelan. He said that the new (second) formulation got too many complaints so the company made the formula stronger. Has anyone else heard that?

Hi Ufrasanki:

I have a couple of questions what was your skin type? And how long was your downtime? N where did you get in done? I'm in Los Angeles and want to get it done? By the way how much was it? Is it similar to the OLD "old" Cosmelan? Is it stronger? The same?

Please advise.

Justina

hi Justina
my skin type in "Filtzpatrick's" scale is 3 -I'm Caucasian.Down time is from 5 to 7 days.I get Melanage done in med spa Aliso Viejo -orange county.I was a testing patient but I think they charging about 500$ (I'm not sure but I can ask).After melanage treatment they doing facial for free so it's really big +.I never did old cosmelan but I'm thinking that old cosmelan was really,really good maybe even better than melanage -I've read a lot reviews.If you have any question go ahead:)I will check here in couple days.

hi
I have a question :I heard if you using HQ melasma usually coming back the same or even worse-.Melanage has 15%HQ.Can somebody with experience answer me? I'm starting to freak out:(

I am thinking of using cosmelan for my melasma. Was reading the prior posts and noticed some discussion re also using cosmelan to try and fade IPL scars...was wondering how they got scarring as I understand that the IPL laser is also used to treat melasma ie photofacial etc.? Thanks so much

hi,

does any one knows if Dr Youssef in santa monica or Dr Pilest in Irvine still have the old cosmelan? anyone who recently had it done at these offices. I live in irvine but i'm willing to drive to santa monica. I know i can just call and ask them, but what if they are lying.

please help. thanks

I have question :Is this true if you have melasma you can do any TCA peel because TCA can make melasma worst -I mean you can get hyperpigmentation(brown patches).?

Hi, This is in response to Ufrasanki's question, about the HQ...yes, this is totally true, once you stop using HQ melasma comes back worse. I tried the Melanage mask twice, and paid around $800 each time, and used the after care products to the "T". For about a month my skin was totally clear, but after that I noticed the melasma coming back. My facialist recommended that I do it again. I waited about 6 months, and did it again, and again the same results.
I am now using a more "natural" method of trying to clear up the melasma. I apply aloe vera gelly (99% pure, Lilly of the Desert) to my skin both morning, and night, and have noticed a remarkable difference.
Please take my advice and don't ever start using HQ in the first place, it is not worth it!
take care,
gigi

to gigi:
I can't believe that 99% aloe vera is making your melasma disappear.I have really bad melasma and 8 weeks ago I did melanage.Right now my face looks ok but I see brown spots is coming back on my forehead and I'm freaking out.Do you guys know any good cure for this "DISEASE".I'm tired of trying.

HI,
I'm doing Cosmelan now. I know that it's the new version since it was a light brown color. Left it on for 11 hours. My doctor enhances it by using a light peel before. I probably didn't need anything extra since my face swelled up. I'm on day three, still have a lot of pain and am peeling like crazy. I really haven't been able to put ANYTHING on my face since it is so raw, everything hurts - K Creme that it came with. I've been keeping cool wash clothes on my face and occasional ice packs. I have been taking asprin. If anyone has any further suggestions please let me know. I didn't put a little neosporan around my mouth.
Thanks,
Melanie

I had dermamelan treatment done approximately 4 months ago. I must admit, it wasn't easy dealing with my skin during this time. Flaking, soreness..I almost felt like I'd been badly burnt....being very fair skinned. I had the mask on for 8 hours and it took my 2 weeks before I could leave the house, even then it took months before it looked half normal. Now at 4 months I am finding my skin is VERY oily and tends to have slight redness especially when I rub it or overwash. I have to use the dermamelan cream for 9 months in total, so I have got about 4 half months left. I use the cream everynight and I have a mask I can use (very expensive products but can last ages!). My main problem was freckles caused by sun damage...all my life I never once used sun cream..a lesson well learned now! The results were instant...I noticed 95% of the freckles/sligh malasma (from 2 pregnancies) had gone. I was shocked to say the least. I was told the damage was superficial (on the surface of the skin) now after 4 months or so I have 2 very slight freckle marks on my face...and that's it. Under UV light the difference is amazing...hardly anything there (I get this done at my check-ups). I can honestly say it has changed my life, the way I feel etc.....such a great treatment. It's not easy to do though having sensitive skin. I now have to use sun block everyday (under some powder/foundation) and use a pot of dermamelan cream during those summer months which to me is a samll price to pay for happiness! I am very aware of the damage sun can cause and know how to stop future damange. Prevention is better the cure....it really can be prevented in the first place but people dont think it can do alot of damange...it so can! I would recommend this to anyone who is upset about malasma/freckles/marks on the skin. I wondered about the results and can honestly say it's worked for me and it's top marks for the treatment and I intend on looking after my skin now. Hope Ive helped just one person xxx

Had started cosmelan treatment on 12 Sept. Now into 12/13th day. Skin still raw and tight. Peeling daily. Painful when washing face. Need to dab dry to prevent premature skin removal, therefore preventing unnecessary scarring. Application of cosmelan 2 and Hydra-K twice daily ( morning and night ). To prevent drying, apply petroleum jelly as advised by my doctor. Skin feels constantly pulled and tighened. Redness is inevitable. Dead skin ready to peel off appeared darker.
Refer to this picture of dry skin. /Users/valerie/Desktop/dry skin.tiff
http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/img/dry-skin/source/7.html ( sometimes flaky like this )