treating melasma / hyperpigmentation on face from SSC?

[Nw6London]

hello everyone, does anyone have any tips or experience treating hyperpigmentation or melasma like patches on the face? My SSc seems to be quite active over the past three years of diagnosis and in addition to the rapid thinning and severe darkening of my lips, I have developed hyperpigmentation on my face - most prominently in the middle of on my forehead.

i do wear makeup, but it looks “grey” underneath. Needless to say, body confidence continues to be at an all time low and I’ve gotten to the point that I do get upset looking at myself in pictures…… (sigh)

Any ideas? I’m considering a facial peel, but wouldn’t even know where to start.

also worth noting that I don’t have any hardening.

Thanks so much.

[HJP7]

Red Cross - if you contact them, they do a free consult for anyone with facial issues.

[OldTed60]

I have melasma however no one but me seems to notice. I’m extremely fair skinned - just a point off albinism my dermatologist once explained to a student. So it really only shows a bit like patches of freckles and telengecstasia which has merged. I wear thick large framed orange varifocal glasses and these hide a multitude of blemishes. My lips are the worst as they have lost pigment and are half white due to the disappeared vermillion. To be honest it doesn’t bother me too much. I have little skin hardening so far although the side of my thumb down to wrist appears to be going through a shinier itchier stage with some tiny calcium deposits/ calcinosis. If you are distressed by this problem then I believe there’s a charity that can advise but not sure what it’s called. Sorry not much help but for me it’s quite novelty having some colour in my face after a lifetime of looking like a ghost!

[Gadoop]

I have a very grey face and white lips and I look like crap! I also have the furrowed lips. My facial skin is tightening (I've been struggling at dentist and even with yawning).

I have no solution even after discussing with my dermatologist... so I'm just here to sympathise with you 🫤