Melasma…if you have it, you know…the struggle is so real! Every summer these dark spots show up all over my face and leave me feeling less than cute. Like, can a girl just leave the house without having to color correct her face or what? This summer though, I kind of became obsessed with figuring out how to get rid of my melasma. There had to be a better way! I started researching vitamin c products, peels, and lasers. Still, I was hearing mixed reviews from many as to the efficacy of each product/treatment and began to feel a little hopeless.
That’s when I came across this picture…
Let me back up a little… I had been introduced to Dr. Zoe, of Perfect Face La Jolla, through a friend (who has beautiful skin) and she swore by a few of her products. I began to follow Dr. Zoe out of curiosity, and when we posted the picture above, I was hooked. I mean…those results had to speak for themselves, right? I had to find out.
I reached out to Dr. Zoe and told her about my melasma issue. I shared some pictures of my bare face and asked if she thought I would be a good candidate for them. She made recommendations for which products to use and agreed to let me try them to review on here for you. And guys…they worked!
This picture was taken on August 27th, right before I started using the product line. As you can see, my melasma was popping!
Then I took this picture a week later and was shook…it was already beginning to look SO much better.
This is my face today, after two months of using Dr. Zoe’s PFam product line. Please note, I am only wearing some under-eye concealer in this photo, as well as mascara. NO face makeup is on my face, so that you can see the difference in my overall skin tone.
So I am sure you are dying to know what products I used to get rid of my melasma. Everything I used is from Dr. Zoe of Perfect Face La Jolla. She customized a plan specific to my needs – which she will likely need to do for you as well if you decide to use this line-up.
Here’s the line-up she customized for me:
Perfect Tone Pads – These are the holy grail when it comes to getting rid of melasma. Mine have a brightening agent in them called hydroquinone that is paramount if you want to get rid of melasma, but it did require a prescription from Dr. Zoe and cannot be ordered online. Be sure to contact here directly to check and see if you are a candidate for hydroquinone.
C Glow – I have used so many different Vitamin C products but this one will forever be in my arsenal. So many of you girls have been messaging me on Instagram about my skin and how good it looks, and I owe it all to this product. The C Glow is packed full of 20% L-ascorbic acid (which is a lot more than most products on the market). It’s also got Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. These products together stimulate collagen production, reduce signs of aging, lighten sun/acne spots, and provide antioxidant protection against free radicals.
Dew Moisturizer – This moisturizer has Hyaluronic Acid in it, to boost your skin’s hydration, and coconut milk with wonderful healing benefits.
Perfect Change Serum – This is hands down the most effective retinol product I’ve ever used. It’s combined with TCA, an agent found in chemical peels, to boost maximum cell turnover and skin resurfacing, while fighting signs of aging. You can read more about the product and all it does it here. I can tell you though, that this, combined with the Perfect Tone Pads, were essential partners in getting rid of my melasma. The product itself is pretty intense, even for me and I don’t have sensitive skin. Stick with it though, because it’s doing its magic and if you do experience any redness or itching, that will stop within about a week.
Sunscreen – Since you are reversing all the sun damage to your skin, don’t even think about going outside EVER without putting sunscreen on your face. I love this one because it doesn’t clog my pores or leave my skin feeling greasy.
That’s it! These are the products I used to get rid of my melasma. The jury is out on whether it will come back or not, but I know where to turn if it does. I’d happily use this annually, post-summer sun, if I had to.
You guys had asked me some questions about the products on Instagram and those answers are below.
- Q: Would you spend money on the product?
- A: Yes, I would and I plan to. As I mentioned above, Dr. Zoe gifted these to me to try and share with you. I’m happy with my current results so I am going to take a break from the Perfect Tone Pads, but if I need to get them again after next Summer’s sun, I will. Everyone’s skin is different, so I will have to wait and see if it comes back or not…
- Q: What will you use when you take a break from hydroquinone?
- A: I plan to continue with vitamin C serums to aid in brightening my skin. The C Glow is such a powerful Vitamin C serum, that I plan to keep using it.
- Q: Is it safe to use while pregnant?
- I would say no. There’s varying research that I have found, but honestly, I turned into a natural mama when I was pregnant, so I personally wouldn’t use the prescribed toning pads if I were pregnant. You definitely aren’t supposed to use retinol products when pregnant, either. Dr. Zoe does have a full line-up though that is safe to use for pregnant mamas! It includes my favorite C Glow!
So there’s my secret on how I got rid of my melasma. You can contact Dr. Zoe here to get started on your product line-up. The results speak for themselves and you won’t regret it!
*Thanks for all the interest and comments! I get a lot of questions about products and where I got them and all of that information is linked above. Please contact Dr. Zoe and inquire about this post if you’d like more information. Dr. Zoe, of Perfect Face La Jolla
You look amazing dear! Thanks for sharing this, this is super informative.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Author
It’s seriously life changing!
May I get more info on how to contact Dr Zoe for product information.
Author
Just visit her website! There is contact info there.
I would find it helpful to see pictures or full names of products to research for ourselves. I don’t recall a name of the suggested sunscreen either. Thank you!
Author
I linked to every product I used. Hope that helps!
Hello, need to get info on how to contact Dr Zoe
Author
I linked to her site!
How can I contact Dr Zoé?
Author
Her site is linked in the post!
Can you please give me a general idea of costs for these products? Mine skin looks much like yours did and I am amazed at your results.
Author
I linked to each product! Prices should be on there or you can contact Dr Zoe directly!
What’s your insta? I’d like to follow u
Author
@leah_behr!
Hi I have had melasma for years and have tried the Obagi, and some different brightening serums and hydroquione with very minimal results. So I don’t have to tell you about my frustrations. Please if you think you can help me I’m open for suggestions. Thanks
Author
Highly suggest this regimen! You do have to continue with maintenance, but it worked for me!
Hello I would like to contact Dr. Zoe to treat Melasma as well
I see you had amazing results .
Author
I truly did. Her site is linked in the post if you want to reach out!
Which products that you’re using?
Author
They are linked in the post!
Where are you located at?
Author
Dr Zoe is out of San Diego
Hey there! I’m so interested in this product. The really strange thing is I know a local skin clinic where I live that is advertising the same girl you advertised and saying she did vampire facials? Can you verify who this person is that you posted and that she did in fact use the products?
Thank you
Author
I can’t answer who that person is, BUT from everything I believe to be true this woman used the melasma treatment that I did with Dr. Zoe. Hope that helps!
Does Dr. Zoe do consults by Zoom?
Author
Not sure but you can contact her!