Sunstache

It was after my trip back to Hawaii last month that I noticed something above my upper lip. I was in the Dallas airport going back to South Carolina. I leaned over the sink in the bathroom to get a better look in the mirror. WHAT THE HELL was that!? Was it hair? It looked like a mustache, but it wasn’t hair. I tried to rub it off. I was horrified; it was actually my skin! Suddenly extrememly self-concious I wondered if the person chatting me up on the plane was staring at my sunstache the whole time. GREAT.

Once I got home, I spent the better part of the night on Google researching. I had melasma. The next day, in proper light, I examined my face and found that I also had it on my forehead. Melasma, also referred to as “the mask of pregnancy,” can occur at any time, pregnant or not. Birth-control pills, sun-exposure, stress, thyroid issues, and hormone-therapy can all cause it. After soaking up the sun in Hawaii for eleven years, taking birth-control pills, and going through my share of stress, I can only imagine mine had something to do with that.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like much can be done in the way of erasing melasma. Many fancy (expensive) laser treatments that promise to help can actually make it worse. It can fade over time, but it can also quickly come back. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to prevent it from getting worse that don’t cost much at all. 1. Wear a hat. 2. Wear sunscreen. I’m still searching for a cute every day hat as I don’t live on an island anymore, but how cute is this visor!? I did find a nice BB cream from Andalou Naturals with 30 SPF. (BTW I definitely recommend iHerb if you don’t already shop with them. Use my code AFN1304 at checkout for a discount.) I like to wear it under my bareMinerals original foundation powder which also has 15 SPF. I also found a great tutorial on how to cover melasma with makeup by Emily Noel. She works magic!

Let me say, if you’re someone who can embrace your melasma, and it doesn’t bother you, then more power to you! But if you’re like me, then I hope these tips help. Do you have melasma? What has worked for you?