Thank you my RODAN+FIELDS consultant, Deb Poch for sponsoring today’s discussion by giving me a free trial of the REVERSE regimen.
When I was a teenager, I was blessed with good skin. Breakouts were few and far between, and makeup (other than chapstick and mascara) was never a thought in my mind. Even up to my wedding day, I barely wore any makeup. I did my own for the big day, needing only the basics to feel fabulous. I had no idea how good I had it; I was super lucky. However, when I was pregnant with Red, Pregnancy Melasma, better know as the mask of pregnancy, came knocking on my door. Pregnancy Melasma is a pigmentation issue that appears as gray-brown patches on the face, sometimes triggered by sun, and most certainly capable of appearing during pregnancy due to hormone flux. With my first pregnancy, it showed up full force and there was nothing I could do about it. In fact, it’s been sticking around for the last 4 years. I’ve been using foundation and heavy cover up to mask it when I need to.
See all that pigmentation on my forehead? And the dark spots on my cheekbones? Total Pregnancy Melasma. I thought I was stuck with it forever… (Please pass the foundation and cover up!) but through a friend of my Mom’s, I found a few solutions to dealing with it and getting it to fade!! I took the above picture just as I started the 60 day regimen before Thanksgiving 2014. Now, check out my after photo – this was taken at Beaches the first few days of February 2015… and the only thing I’m wearing on my skin is sunscreen and blush!! How’s that for an after?! Sure, I still have a little bit of pregnancy melasma left (I need to take a few extra steps with RODAN+FIELDS after this current pregnancy is finished) on my forehead, but the coloring is much more neutral and the lines have faded drastically. the dark spots on my cheeks? Totally gone. That makes me super happy. So how did I do it? Several things…
1. Wear Sunscreen… ALWAYS. Always. I’m a very lazy human, so I get moisturizer and sunscreen in one. If I can save a step, I’m more likely to follow through. If it’s spring or summer, body spf goes on me and the redheads in the house!
2. Sun Hats Are Your Friend. I have several giant straw hats that I love to wear in the summer. Poolside, beachside, even if we’re headed to the open fields of the park – the hats come with. Thankfully, some starlets have started wearing them again, too, so I don’t look like the old lady on the block. I find my favorite ones at Target – they are even packable in a suitcase!
3. Try the REVERSE Regimen from RODAN+FIELDS. Previously, I had a lightning cream from the dermatologist for my pregnancy melasma – but it literally peeled my face off and made it so sensitive I couldn’t even kiss my husband. No go. I’d rather be patchy than deal with that. What made me try another skin cream? Recommendations from people I trusted. Deb, my rep and friend of the family, talked me through the four steps of the REVERSE regimen: Exfoliation and Face wash, Toner, Vitamin C/Retinol, and Moisturizer. The four steps work together to prep, soothe and condition your skin. I was SHOCKED at how mild everything was. So gentle, so soothing, and fast absorbing. Nothing was greasy, heavy or gritty. Yes, four steps is a lot to do twice a day (you work up to that level of treatment) but it was so worth it to ditch my heavy foundation! The Retinol was even so light and gentle my aesthetician noticed it didn’t bother my skin during eyebrow waxes. A plus!
I’m really looking forward to repeating the regimen after this pregnancy and fading the very last portion of the pregnancy melasma as well as ridding myself of any extra that shows up this time around. If you want to see more about other RODAN+FIELDS formulas, here’s a great little video that explains all of them (REVERSE starts at 1:47):
Looks like a good product to fade dark spots. They can be so hard to lighten.
This is a wonderful product to fade light spots! The regimen uses a combination of pure Vitamin C & Retinol for beautiful, glowing skin.
This was a very interesting read. I’ve never heard of this before. I’m sure this will be a big help to any mom dealing with Melasma.
I had a friend with pregnanacy melasma, and she had a terrible time with it. The worst part was how embarrassed she was of it. =(
It’s the biggest pain! When it sticks around after pregnancy is even worse!
Just when I thought I knew all of the downsides of pregnancy, I learn something new. You are glowing and I am happy you found a line to work for you.
This is the first I’m hearing of melasma. It’s good info to know and glad there is a product to help with it.
I always make sure to wear sunscreen. You can never protect your skin too much!
Jenny, you are a smart girl! Yes. we all need to wear sunscreen, every day! It should be part of our daily moisturizer or day cream. I wish I would have started being really strict about this in my 30s!
I didn’t realize pregnancy melasma was a thing! Your skin looks beautiful!
So glad you found something that has helped so much…..and that it’s not hurting your skin!
This looks like it will help so many women. I have a slight discoloration around my mouth from pregnancy. It has faded over time, luckily.
I’ve never met anyone that has had pregnacy melasma. I’m glad there is product like this to help. I’ve always skipped the sunscreen, but I’m learning how bad that is.
I love that pic of you and Red. You look amazing and he is always so adorable.
I would say this product gets a two-thumbs up. I can really see the results and this is going to help so many women.
You poor thing, those pregnancy skin things are crazy! I had hives all over my face when I was pregnant!
I have never heard of Melasma before. That is interesting. I’m so lucky I never had to deal with aanything like that!
I didn’t get this during my pregnancy, but I had friends who did. Sunscreen is definitely their best friend.
Pregnancy can do some wacky things. Your skin looks amazing!
A friend of mine is a Rodan + Fields consultant, and the before/after photos are always so impressive. It’s wonderful there are such effective products out there.
Yeah! So glad to hear you have friends in the R+F business! The photos are so amazing because the results are so amazing. Not only on sun spots or melasma but we also have regimens formulated for sensitivity, adult acne and aging which are also just as impressive! Plus, all products are 100% money back guarantee for a full 60 days. Can’t beat that!
I guess I have not heard of this. Glad you have found something gentle to deal with it.
I have been meaning to try Rodan & Fields. I know a few reps. I would love to try it.
Pregnancy does some wacky things to our bodies, doesn’t it?! The Rodan & Fields regimen really worked well for you, I’m glad you found something that didn’t irritate your skin.
I have never heard of pregnancy melasma, It’s awesome that you are able to fade it out in just a few months. I can definitely tell a difference between your photos!
It’s a HUGE pain. Pregnancy does weird hings to the body. But hey, all good things comee with a price. I guess babies come with ruined bodies.
Pregnancy was when my Melasma came into view. I always wear sunscreen now and usually a hat. I find that even when I am indoors I still need to be careful and wear sunscreen.
I needed to use a skin lightening cream and have had great results getting rid of it…But, I will continue with the sunscreen so that I can keep wrinkles at bay 🙂
I knew pregnancy did crazy things to the body but I didn’t even realize pregnancy melasma was possible! I’ve always always used sunscreen so at least I have that part taken care of.
I have only been using dermalmd lightening serum for almost 3 weeks and I can see a huge difference. I suffer from terrible Malasma which is something I was cursed with after the birth of my son. Any amount of time in the sun makes it worse. This serum has lightened my skin dramatically. I use it twice a day.