Melasma Transformation | Emme Diane

This post is pretty personal. I know a lot of people are pretty open about skincare- me too. Skin issues, I’ve always been a little insecure about it. Just keepin’ it real. I started to notice dark spots on my face about a year ago, in patches. I thought they were sun spots-I’ve always baked in the sun, tanning beds in high school and college. So stupid of me, I know! The worst was my upper lip, it seriously looked like I had a stache and it bothered me so so much.

I was connected with Emme Diane (Phoenix based Esthetician, Skin Care Coach and founder of her own skincare line) online and talked to her a bit about my skin, and what I was experiencing. She had me fill out a list of in-depth questions pertaining to my lifestyle and skin type, as well as “before” pictures of my skin. I quickly learned these spots were actually Melasma.  WHAT?!

What is Melasma? 

Melasma is a very common patchy brown, tan, or blue-gray facial skin discoloration, usually seen in women in the reproductive years. It typically appears on the upper cheeks, upper lip, forehead, and chin of women 20-50 years of age. Although possible, it is uncommon in males. Most of those with melasma are women. It is thought to be primarily related to external sun exposure, external hormones like birth control pills, and internal hormonal changes as seen in pregnancy. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. Melasma is most common among pregnant women, especially those of Latin and Asian descents. People with olive or darker skin, like Hispanic, Asian, and Middle Eastern individuals, have higher incidences of melasma.

Prevention is primarily aimed at facial sun protection and sun avoidance. Treatment requires regular sunscreen application, medications such as 4% hydroquinone and other fading creams. Source: MedicineNet.com

Of course this news made me very very upset, especially learning that it’s something that can’t actually be cured, but managed. At my first appointment with Emme, she took a look at my skin, we went over the questions I filled out and put a plan in action. Emme told me it would be fine and we were going to get my patches faded out til they are hardly visible. WHEW! I learned that I likely have Melasma because of sun exposure without protection (I always thought I was invincible and didn’t need sunscreen) annnnd birth control pills. Ugh. I started on birth control around the age of 19 when I could barely function during my menstrual cycle or keep track of it. I was very irregular, from the beginning.

Emme recommended I start on her Lighten Up Skin Set. As I mentioned above, Emme founded her own skincare line called Emme Diane and has been transforming her clients skin ever since. She’s very knowledgeable, easy to talk to and truly cares about the people who walk through her door. I felt so hopeful after we discussed the next steps and went over the Lighten Up set. Emme jump-started my treatment process by giving me one of her amazing Lighten Up Facials during that first appointment. Below is the full details on their facial! These are great for anyone with hyper-pigmentation, sun spots, etc.