My skin pigmentation journey began in 2018, when I started to develop a sprinkling of fairly heavy freckles on my forehead. By the end of the summer, I had what looked like a world map of dark pigment across my brow.
Confused and taken aback, I assumed this was all from too much time in the sun, so started looking into vitamin C serums, glycolic acids and anything that claimed to tackle hyperpigmentation.
A year on – and with a lot of money spent on creams that didn’t work – the ‘world map’ was larger and darker, and starting to really get me down. When the dark patches began to creep down the side of my face, it was time to seek professional help.
I booked in for a consultation at the Premier Laser Clinic. There, they scanned my face and diagnosed my pigmentation as melasma, which was most likely down to elevated levels of estrogen from my contraceptive pill rather than sun exposure. Having said that, my sporadic use of SPF likely wasn’t helping matters.
After a full skin scan that showed the pigmentation lurking below the surface, they suggested two options to tackle the problem.
First was a chemical peel, which would be a one-off treatment but that would involve a month’s worth of downtime. Alternatively, there was a series of natural peels with only a few days of skin peeling and redness each time.
Given we were just out of the first lockdown, I didn’t really feel like locking myself away for another month, so I opted for a series of six Mela White Herbal Green Peels developed by Dr. Christine Schrammek.
Every two to three weeks, I went to the clinic where a dermatologist would scrub a mixture of 100% natural herbs onto my skin before cleansing it off after 10-15 minutes. For the next three days, I couldn’t get my face wet as the herbs got to work, exfoliating and encouraging the skin to start regenerating.
My skin was a little irritated during the three days, but I used the Blemish Balm, £46, Dr Schrammek, to calm any redness and was able to carry on with my daily routine without feeling self-conscious. Then, after washing my face after the allotted three days, my skin started to subtly peeI.
Between treatments, I also used the clinic’s recommended products (Mela White Day Cream SPF 20, £70, Mela White Vit C serum, £64 and Mela White night cream, £74, all Dr Schrammek ); all of which also helped to reduce pigmentation.
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Six treatments later and the pigmentation has entirely disappeared, with the added benefit of fine lines and the overall appearance of my skin being greatly improved (just check out the pictures!).
It costs £1000 for the six peels and accompanying products (which I know is a lot), but Premier Laser Clinic does offer payment plans to make the cost more manageable.
Since the treatment has finished, I continue to use the clinic’s products, and make sure I use an SPF 50 everyday. My favourite is Vichy Ideal Soleil Velvety Face Cream SPF50+, £16.50, FeelUnique, as well as wearing a hat in really hot sun to protect my forehead.
I am so impressed with the results and just wish I had done it sooner. In my opinion, the treatments are totally worth the money; not only have I gotten rid of the pigmentation, but I feel ten times more confident, which really is priceless.
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