Melasma Upper Lip Pigmentation

Melasma is a hyper-pigmentation disorder that results in brown discoloration on the face and the upper lip. Melasma most often afflicts women. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, only ten (10) percent of those who have the skin condition are men. Additionally, ethnicities with darker skin (Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, etc.) are more susceptible to Melasma.
Melasma Upper Lip – Causes

There are many different causes of melasma on the upper lip. Generally, with skin discolorations of this nature, hormones play a big role in the occurrence of the skin condition. Add to that a cocktail of genetics, sun exposure, and an overproduction of estrogen, usually resulting from the use of oral contraceptives, pregnancy, hormone replacement during menopause, or even your own naturally occurring hormones.
Melasma ? Why Me ?

Typically, most people who suffer from melasma or have developed it over time, live in areas with intense sun exposure. Also, women who have just had a baby also develop this condition (however, with Melasma resulting from pregnancy, the dark spots tend to fade over time).

Melasma can be a very embarrassing ordeal to have to go through. Dark spots on your upper lip can affect your self-image and just how attractive you regard yourself. Consequently, you may begin to consider treatment options to get rid of the Melasma that has developed on your upper lip.

Again, if you are taking oral contraceptives, are pregnant, or are undergoing hormone treatment you may find that the dark spots may gradually fade away.
Melasma and Hydroquinone

However, if you find that the melasma is not fading or the condition is getting worse, you may want to look into skin lighteners, with the active ingredient Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is found in many skin bleachers or lighteners and can be obtained over the counter or through a doctor’s prescription. Generally, the lowest strength 2% can only be obtained over the counter; anything higher and you may need to obtain a prescription.

Caution – please read more here on hydroquinone products
If you decide that skin lighteners are your best option then you must follow the directions of the product to the letter to avoid any unwanted side-effects. Also, you must be diligent with use. Depending on how dark your skin is, you may see immediate results (less than four weeks) or it may take longer for the Melasma to fade.

Please note, that if you live in an area that has intense sun exposure you may run the risk of the spots reappearing, so it would be advantageous to use some sort of sunscreen to prevent the Melasma from returning. Some skin lighteners that can be purchased over the counter even have built-in sunscreens for added protection.

Ten Makeup Bag Essentials 7 Tools Every Girl Needs

Makeup Bag Essentials I don’t tend to discuss makeup essentials because I’m a product junky, so by nature, I’m not about downsizing to the essentials! The question, however, comes up all the time when people step into my apartment for the first time, which is not unlike a Sephora aisle (I’m talking over 200 nail polishes, dozens of glosses and even more lipsticks, and that’s just the beginning…). Also, given that my boyfriend has temporarily relocated to San Francisco, I’m no stranger to traveling, which requires that I not only whittle my beauty finds down, but also make sure they’re TSA size-approved! So what are my must haves? Let’s start with skincare
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I’m all about prevention, and the base to any beauty maintenance regime should always be skincare focused. If I could live with only one product it would be the Clarisonic. I’ve been using it daily for about three years, and it has COMPLETELY changed my skin. You will feel and see the difference after a single use — seriously. It softens skin, minimizes the appearances of pores, helps remove makeup and other impurities (I still follow up the Clarisonic with a wipe), and prevents breakouts. Or, if you’re currently mid-breakout, it help clear up imperfections faster. It’s expensive, but trust me when I say that it’s worth saving up for. If you absolutely cannot bear to spend $200 on it, then try Olay Pro X. I haven’t tried it myself, but it’s the closest thing to the Clarisonic on the market and less expensive.

With that in mind, it goes without saying that cleaning your skin daily is a must, so always pack a cleanser. (Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is a great one that works well with the Clarisonic brush). Next on the list is a moisturizer, and if you’re opting for one without SPF, then you’ll need a daily SPF cream or gel as well. The last skin-related must-have is an eye treatment. I’m a fan of Sephora’s new Instant Depuffing Roll-On Gel because it’s quick and easy, and the roll-on mechanism is soothing. It’s not a must for everyone, but I consider an anti-aging cream a personal essential. (I usually go for an SPF moisturizer by day and an anti-aging cream by night.)
As for makeup going back to the point of maintenance, some of the most over-looked products are primers — that includes nail polish primer, face primer, eye primer, lash primer (and I could go on, but since this is a story about essentials…). Primers help protect your skin, and they make subsequent makeup application a lot easier. (For example, when applied over primer, foundation will go on more smoothly and with less streaks. You’ll also notice that, if you opt for a primer like this one from Hourglass, your skin will be more hydrated.)

Once the face is properly primed, my personal makeup essentials are the following: liquid foundation, powder foundation to set the liquid, blush, all-over highlighting powder, eye shadow, black liner, mascara and a gloss.Lastly, don’t forget perfume! I realize it’s not an essential for everyone, but I can’t imagine leaving my apartment without wearing Chanel Allure, Hermes Ambre Narguile or Tom Ford White Suede.