Using Melacare Cream On Face, Dark Spots Gone. When Stoped Face Turns Blue Black. Advise?
Thanks for your query
I completely understand your concern and I hope I am able to help you for the same.
You have been using melacare cream over your face since 5 months now. Melacare cream is a topical cream containing 3 active ingredients which are Hydroquinone, Tretinoin and Mometasone.
This cream is commonly used for facial pigmentation but it is very important to use it under strict medical supervision. It is not to be used continuously for more than 2 to 3 three months at a stretch. Moreover, it has to be applied only at night time.
One of the components of the cream is mometasone which is a potent steroid . Long term use over face can lead to various side effects like thinning of skin, redness, itching, photosensitivity and excessive hair growth over face.
Even prolonged use of hydroquinone especially during day time can lead to permanent pigmentation over face.
So first of all, you have to stop using this cream over your face.
Your skin seems to have developed steroid dependence , so it is very essential that you altogether avoid using this cream now.
For the skin pigmentation that you have developed, you need to start using some milder lightening agents in the form of kojic acid during day time and azelaic acid during night. Both of these have to be applied only over the affected areas.
Use a sunscreen lotion with spf more than 26 regularly over your face atleast 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply it every 3-4 hourly if you have prolonged sun exposure.
You can take oral vitamin c supplementation alongside atleast twice a day. It acts as a systemic lightening agent.
Take a diet XXXXXXX in fresh fruits and salads and eat lots of citrus fruits.
You can try with the above measures for 2-3 months safely, however if you feel that there is not satisfactory improvement, then I would recommend you to see a dermatologist as there are various other treatment options available in the form of chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser treatments which can be done for facial pigmentation.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Take care
Wishing you speedy recovery
Dr Geetika Paul