5 replies to this topic

[TLK879]

Hi. I just started taking Spironolactone 25 mg. I have struggled with acne for about 15 years. Accutane helped about 8 years ago, but now it is back. I also have melasma all over my face. So, taking BCP is not an option. I was wondering if there is anyone else out there taking Spiro with Melasma. What are your experiences? Are you taking anything to combat the IB period? Does the Spiro have any affect on your melasma....worse, better, etc.? I am hoping that maybe the Spiro will improve my melasma as well as my acne. That would be amazing!
Thank you!

[Sunnygirl]

I took spiro for 16 months (without BCP). The highest dose I reached was 200mg for four months, and it did not help with melasma. I've been battling melasma for eight years and was hoping the same thing, but sadly every summer it would return. Even with sunscreen, if I was to spend long periods of time in the sun it would show up right away.

[brown-eyedgirl]

I take Spiro and it has not affected my discolorations but you should look into Obagi. I used it to get rid of all my sun damage and I use it regularly now with retin-a to keep it from coming back!

[PrEgO~PoX]

Actually I used Spiro after my pregnancy to help with the acne and a few days in to it I looked like charlie chaplin. It bleached out after a good week and a half and I immediatley stopped the spiro. I am now on BCP's and 2 weeks in to it I have melasma on my lip again. SO DEPRESSING! It's like if I can help one thing out pops another issue. I NEVER had a proble with melasma before either. Never new it happened cause of sun or skin color or PREGNANCY dammit! LOL, my son is all worth it though...

[ugly_skye]

I have Melasma as well thanks to the birth control pill, I hate it. I can't use Retin A because it makes me scar and I have heard really bad stories about hydroquinone. Also, I have been on Spironolactone for a couple of years now and it doesn't affect the melasma.

[Astra_99]

I have melasma from combined BCPs. I switched across to a copper IUD and Spironolactone 25 mg. Spironolactone has not changed the melasma either way - neither better nor worse and I have taken it for over three years now.

There is actually some information about Spironolactone and melasma occuring as a previously unreported side effect, but the incidence was very low - like one case in the study group. What they also fail to mention is whether a BCP was also in use. If a BCP was in use together with Spironolactone then you can kind of see what might have happened here.

I took BCPs for over 20 years continuously and it was only in the last 8 of those years that the melasma developed. If you have light olive to dark skin tone you are more prone - then add sensitizing agents like accutane, various antibiotics and BCPs plus your own hormones and you've got a nice little cocktail happening.

If you don't need the BCP for other health reasons then you are very wise to not take it. You will have a much better chance of treating the melasma. If you are not a member already of the skincarerx forum, visit that site and you will see you are not alone. There are thousands of posts there on the melasma forum. Cosmelan was very in vogue as a treatment until the formula changed. Jiaoli is now frequently discussed on the forum, bearing in mind that although results are often very good debate exists about mercury levels. Some women only need to use it for a couple of weeks and feel the possible risk is worth it. Some say they have had 100% clearing when nothing else worked, including on dermal melasma. I myself have bought it and will lab test it prior to use.

Also the makemeheal forum in the chemical peel section has some very good posts from people who are regular home based TCA peelers. Some disasters do happen here, but mainly from people buying bad products because they are cheap, or wanting to go in heavy with too strong a peel and/or failing to prepare their skin properly for a few weeks beforehand. A test patch is a must. Peels are generally done at 8-25%. Always start off low.

I don't think your melasma will get worse with Spironolactone.