Worked Wonders for Melasma

Two years ago I began developing melasma on my face (2 irregular patches on either side of my nose bridge, and a small spot on my upper lip).

Tried hydroquinone, which seemed to make it worse. Tried various creams, serums, dark spot correctors, sunscreen, staying out of the sun, nothing worked.

Until my facialist told me about Tranexamic acid. I looked it up and bought a box from a seller on Ebay. It was around $160 for a 2-month supply. The instructions are to take 2 pills/day, which I did for the first two weeks. I began seeing results after two weeks---the patches are so faded that unless I am looking for them, you can't tell they are there. I used to wear heavy concealers, but now I can just wear tinted sunscreen. My acne spots are actually darker than my melasma now.

It has been three months now and I still have half of a box left since I take only 1-2 pills/day for maintenance. Unfortunately if I skip for a couple of days I can see it returning so it may be a long-term solution. Research it, and take at your own risk since some people who have issues with blood clotting should not take it, though it is approved as a treatment for heavy periods in the U.S and sold over the counter in Japan for skin whitening. I have also heard of dermatologists prescribing it off-label for melasma in the U.S.