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I have suffered melasma since my 20’s from being o...
I have suffered melasma since my 20’s from being on the pill. Over the years with sun exposure, despite having come off the pill, melisma has increasingly become so bad, makeup doesn’t hide it and I became conscious of it.
Dermatologist offered me the opportunity to participate in a trial of the Cosmelan he was thinking of introducing to his clinic. For a massively discounted rate, on the proviso I allowed them to use my images and experience, I went ahead with it. $550 Australian dollars got me the deal. I have waited two months and kept a log which I would now like to share...
Here goes...
DAY 0;
Arrived to have my face cleaned with a blue mesoestetic cleaner and scrubbed raw. Vaseline thinly applied with cotton buds to protect The nostrils and corners of my mouth to prevent burning. Application of Cosmelan 1 was completed by wiping it on with a gloved hand and timber paddle pop stick, evenly spread with exception of the heavy pigmented areas which got a second layer, avoiding the eyelids completely.
The remaining product was refrigerator for two weeks if required and I was told to leave and avoid sunlight whilst the product dried.
It was cool an application, I was asked to leave the mask on for 10 hours before washing it off with lukewarm to cool water.
5 hours post application, it became hot tingling and started to feel like a slight burn.
7 hours post application, my eyes were stinging but the skin burning subsided.
10 hours later, My face was throbbing hot and I felt like I was a bit sunburnt. I washed it off with Tippett water and immediate redness followed with sunburn like pain. I’d like to add that I have very tanned skin and tolerate this on quite well so this was a decent burn feeling.
Am told to use pea sized mixed minute amounts of Cosmelan 2 and Hydra K together after I have cleansed with the hydra milk and toner supplied twice a day for the first month, then once a day for the following 2 months. Every second day use the supplied masque to rehydrate.
DAY 1;
Today my face was red, tight, I found it hard to smile or move my mouth much to talk. I found my face throbbed whenever I exerted energy, such as vacuuming or leaning forward to pick up toys. Not too bad though, rate the pain factor today as 3/10. My face feels swollen but looking in the mirror it doesn’t appear to be. Before bed 24 hrs post Cosmelan 1 treatment, I cleaned with Hydra milk and toned with toner then apply the mixed minute (pea sized) amounts of Hydra K and Cosmelan 2: Instant redness and sunburn pain followed but only lasted a few minutes. Went to bed with a hot face.
DAY 2;
Woke up this morning and able to open my right eye! I threw cold water on my face and I look like a burns victim ... my face is so swollen. I have puffy cheeks and I could not take pictures of my face until the swelling subsided some four hours later. Cleansed with Hydra milk and toner, again I applied Cosmelan 2 and Hydra K, the red hot burn comes back.
Skin has commenced peeling around my nostrils mouth and chin, I can see that my pigmentation and Aliza is so obvious now it stands out. At night time I incorporated the 20 minute mask into the mix and it says subsided the pain somewhat. Today I had to take Neurofen to help fall asleep. Pain today 6/10.
DAY 3;
I woke up this morning with a face still swollen and it stings when the cracks from trying to eat or talk. The peeling is everywhere except my forehead. I resist pulling at the loose skin around my cheeks nose throat and mouth. I’m a little itchy today just around the throat. I didn’t think that when opening the oven or dishwasher when the hot cycle is finished or even blow drying my girls hair would be painful but any heat or steam is amplified significantly. I would definitely NOT recommend doing this in summer, the heat would be intolerable.
I’m glad I took a full week off work and I’m beginning to wonder after reading all other bloggers posts if I need more time as they claim to continue peeling up to 2 weeks later. Today the pain is 1/10 but the tightness of my face is 9/10 (I can’t even raise my eyebrows!)
DAY 4;
Swelling has gone down, pigmentation is evident, and the pain has somewhat subsided. I am peeling disgracefully and I’m not sure how I’m going to be picking the kids up from school it’s embarrassing!
I think the worst is over, and it’s just the significant peeling phase now. Still applying my creams morning and night. Still burns every time, but only temporarily on application.
DAY 6;
Swelling has completely resolved and my skin colour has gone back to normal, I am just starting to see that my pigmentation is fading and the skin peeling is minimal bits here and there. 1 week off work is sufficient.
DAYS 7-14;
Okay, now I’m beginning to see why people stop looking after seven days... It’s because I finally seen the effects and the pain is over. I can happily report that between the days numbered 7-14, while still maintaining my twice daily schedule of cleansing hydrating and Cosmelan 2, I could see my Malaysia and freckles even had gone! This product is a miracle! I can now go out without foundation to cover my skin which I have not done for 20 years! I AM FREEE!!!!!
WEEKS 2-4;
I continue to maintain my twice-daily read you mean and every second day mask and I am so impressed with the results I would sell this product to anyone! I am so confident but I’m also extremely wary; I will not step foot outside work or house without for brim hat and 50+ sun protection! I have never been so careful in my life, I am not ruining what I’ve just been through.
MONTH 2:
For the next two months starting now I am only to use the Hydra K and Cosmelan 2 once a day.
I am now 7-8 wakes in from the original Cosmelan treatment, And I have to say I’m becoming a bit disappointed. The reason for saying this is despite every cautious sun protection measure I have undertaken, my Melasma is slowly coming back. After some considerable thought, I am beginning to think it is more like a bleaching agent. Who was I to think that any skin application product could really reverse such a stubborn thing as Melasma.
Because it is starting to return, as of week eight I am now back to applying the product twice a day in the hope that it will keep the Melasma at bay.
MONTH 3:
This is the month I’m currently in as I write this. I look back on everything I’ve been through and as much as I was impressed at first for the first month, I’m slowly becoming disheartened and I would no longer recommend this product. I live in Sydney Australia in a hot sunny environment and I were 50+ applied twice a day and a broad brim hat and I will always seek shade whenever I’m outside but it has not stop the Melasma returning which makes me more convinced it was simply a bleaching agent in the first place.
I sincerely hope that someone gains something from my experience when making a decision whether or not to go ahead with this product. Feel free to ask any questions I’m only too happy to help some people make the right decisions
Dermatologist offered me the opportunity to participate in a trial of the Cosmelan he was thinking of introducing to his clinic. For a massively discounted rate, on the proviso I allowed them to use my images and experience, I went ahead with it. $550 Australian dollars got me the deal. I have waited two months and kept a log which I would now like to share...
Here goes...
DAY 0;
Arrived to have my face cleaned with a blue mesoestetic cleaner and scrubbed raw. Vaseline thinly applied with cotton buds to protect The nostrils and corners of my mouth to prevent burning. Application of Cosmelan 1 was completed by wiping it on with a gloved hand and timber paddle pop stick, evenly spread with exception of the heavy pigmented areas which got a second layer, avoiding the eyelids completely.
The remaining product was refrigerator for two weeks if required and I was told to leave and avoid sunlight whilst the product dried.
It was cool an application, I was asked to leave the mask on for 10 hours before washing it off with lukewarm to cool water.
5 hours post application, it became hot tingling and started to feel like a slight burn.
7 hours post application, my eyes were stinging but the skin burning subsided.
10 hours later, My face was throbbing hot and I felt like I was a bit sunburnt. I washed it off with Tippett water and immediate redness followed with sunburn like pain. I’d like to add that I have very tanned skin and tolerate this on quite well so this was a decent burn feeling.
Am told to use pea sized mixed minute amounts of Cosmelan 2 and Hydra K together after I have cleansed with the hydra milk and toner supplied twice a day for the first month, then once a day for the following 2 months. Every second day use the supplied masque to rehydrate.
DAY 1;
Today my face was red, tight, I found it hard to smile or move my mouth much to talk. I found my face throbbed whenever I exerted energy, such as vacuuming or leaning forward to pick up toys. Not too bad though, rate the pain factor today as 3/10. My face feels swollen but looking in the mirror it doesn’t appear to be. Before bed 24 hrs post Cosmelan 1 treatment, I cleaned with Hydra milk and toned with toner then apply the mixed minute (pea sized) amounts of Hydra K and Cosmelan 2: Instant redness and sunburn pain followed but only lasted a few minutes. Went to bed with a hot face.
DAY 2;
Woke up this morning and able to open my right eye! I threw cold water on my face and I look like a burns victim ... my face is so swollen. I have puffy cheeks and I could not take pictures of my face until the swelling subsided some four hours later. Cleansed with Hydra milk and toner, again I applied Cosmelan 2 and Hydra K, the red hot burn comes back.
Skin has commenced peeling around my nostrils mouth and chin, I can see that my pigmentation and Aliza is so obvious now it stands out. At night time I incorporated the 20 minute mask into the mix and it says subsided the pain somewhat. Today I had to take Neurofen to help fall asleep. Pain today 6/10.
DAY 3;
I woke up this morning with a face still swollen and it stings when the cracks from trying to eat or talk. The peeling is everywhere except my forehead. I resist pulling at the loose skin around my cheeks nose throat and mouth. I’m a little itchy today just around the throat. I didn’t think that when opening the oven or dishwasher when the hot cycle is finished or even blow drying my girls hair would be painful but any heat or steam is amplified significantly. I would definitely NOT recommend doing this in summer, the heat would be intolerable.
I’m glad I took a full week off work and I’m beginning to wonder after reading all other bloggers posts if I need more time as they claim to continue peeling up to 2 weeks later. Today the pain is 1/10 but the tightness of my face is 9/10 (I can’t even raise my eyebrows!)
DAY 4;
Swelling has gone down, pigmentation is evident, and the pain has somewhat subsided. I am peeling disgracefully and I’m not sure how I’m going to be picking the kids up from school it’s embarrassing!
I think the worst is over, and it’s just the significant peeling phase now. Still applying my creams morning and night. Still burns every time, but only temporarily on application.
DAY 6;
Swelling has completely resolved and my skin colour has gone back to normal, I am just starting to see that my pigmentation is fading and the skin peeling is minimal bits here and there. 1 week off work is sufficient.
DAYS 7-14;
Okay, now I’m beginning to see why people stop looking after seven days... It’s because I finally seen the effects and the pain is over. I can happily report that between the days numbered 7-14, while still maintaining my twice daily schedule of cleansing hydrating and Cosmelan 2, I could see my Malaysia and freckles even had gone! This product is a miracle! I can now go out without foundation to cover my skin which I have not done for 20 years! I AM FREEE!!!!!
WEEKS 2-4;
I continue to maintain my twice-daily read you mean and every second day mask and I am so impressed with the results I would sell this product to anyone! I am so confident but I’m also extremely wary; I will not step foot outside work or house without for brim hat and 50+ sun protection! I have never been so careful in my life, I am not ruining what I’ve just been through.
MONTH 2:
For the next two months starting now I am only to use the Hydra K and Cosmelan 2 once a day.
I am now 7-8 wakes in from the original Cosmelan treatment, And I have to say I’m becoming a bit disappointed. The reason for saying this is despite every cautious sun protection measure I have undertaken, my Melasma is slowly coming back. After some considerable thought, I am beginning to think it is more like a bleaching agent. Who was I to think that any skin application product could really reverse such a stubborn thing as Melasma.
Because it is starting to return, as of week eight I am now back to applying the product twice a day in the hope that it will keep the Melasma at bay.
MONTH 3:
This is the month I’m currently in as I write this. I look back on everything I’ve been through and as much as I was impressed at first for the first month, I’m slowly becoming disheartened and I would no longer recommend this product. I live in Sydney Australia in a hot sunny environment and I were 50+ applied twice a day and a broad brim hat and I will always seek shade whenever I’m outside but it has not stop the Melasma returning which makes me more convinced it was simply a bleaching agent in the first place.
I sincerely hope that someone gains something from my experience when making a decision whether or not to go ahead with this product. Feel free to ask any questions I’m only too happy to help some people make the right decisions
Provider Review
Dermatologist Southwest sydney
Professional