Melasma

"I began noticing spots of discoloration on my face in 2010. They gradually became more noticeable and began having a huge impact on the way I looked, as well as my self-esteem.

After months of trying over the counter skin brightening treatments and creams and not seeing improvement, I saw a dermatologist. I was told that I had melasma, and there was no cure for it, they could just treat it. The treatment options ranged from bleaching creams, to chemical peels, to laser treatments- there being a pretty drastic range in price. These treatments would lighten the pigmentation, but it was made clear to me that melasma could not be cured, so sun exposure would bring this all back. So, I started with the creams and did everything I could to avoid the sun.

I bought multiple hats, sunglasses that would cover my upper cheeks, and the highest spf sunscreen I could find. I wouldn't even get the mail without wearing a hat. If for any reason I was outside on a sunny day without anything covering my face, my mind was fully on the fact that these spots were most definitely getting darker or expanding to cover more of my face. I would lean away from my window when driving my car, and would never open my sunroof. I would even get upset when my husband pulled the car out of the garage before I got in, feeling like he just didn't understand how every second in sunlight mattered.

When I looked in the mirror, all I saw was my melasma, and there was no amount of makeup that could hide my skin, or make me feel confident- in fact, makeup made it appear worse. When I talked to people, especially if we were in bright lighting or outside, my focus was only partially on the conversation because my insecurities about what they were seeing consumed my mind. Melasma colored so much more than my face.

For years, I thought this was just something I would always have to live with. It made me so upset to think that I would never be able to feel the sun on my face (at least not without anxiety about what was happening to my face.).

Until one day at a family reunion... Dr. Charles Coppola is my uncle, and I don't even remember how it came up, but I remember him testing me to see if my melasma was treatable and he said it was. Honestly, I wasn't going to get my hopes up, but I figured it was worth a try, so I started going to him for treatments. After the first treatment, he told me that for me, my melasma was caused by adrenal fatigue, my emotions and stress.

I started taking some vitamins and going for treatments, and the results were enough to make me excited to book my next appointment. After a treatment, I couldn't wait to look in the mirror, because for the first time in years, I was actually seeing an improvement. I would even call my husband, my mom, my sister... Anyone to look in the mirror with me and notice the difference. Within a few months my melasma was completely gone. Gone!

All of my insecurities about my complexion are a distant memory, and I can not thank Dr. Coppola enough."

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