As many of you know, I have been on a health and wellness journey for over two years. Not only have I been focusing on getting better with my health, but also my skin as well.
I suffer from hyperpigmentation due to acne scarring. It's mainly my fault due to popping my pimples; however, my acne leaves a scar regardless if left alone, but scarring is minimal.
To camouflage my dark marks, I would cover them up with makeup.
Makeup worsened the problem by clogging my pores and not giving my face time to breathe and heal. Plus, I don't want to wear makeup for the rest of my life. As I age, makeup is starting to make me look older than I am.
So, I started with a skincare routine at home and seeing an esthetician monthly to get Hydrafacials.
I noticed an improvement in my skin barrier since starting my skincare routine; however, my dark marks weren't fading as quickly as I would like.
There are products I was using that helped fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Still, the results are only noticeable 6 months of continuous use.
I'm impatient, so I tried the chemical peel over a year ago.
And again, chemical peels you must do several times during the colder months, plus there is downtime. I don't have the patience for that, either.
I spoke about my concerns with my esthetician, who recommended using Musely.
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What is Musely?
Musely is an online prescription skincare service that connects customers with dermatologists. Customers can take a short quiz on the Musely website to assess their skin concerns. Then they are matched with a dermatologist who can prescribe a personalized skincare routine. Musely offers a variety of prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter products and supplements. The company also provides educational resources on skincare, such as blog posts and videos.
I've seen Musely ads on Facebook but was skeptical about them. I thought it would be no better than any other fade creams on the market.
So, what made Musely different?
My esthetician told me that the prescribed spot cream would have Hydroquinone.
Wait...
Isn't Hydroquinone a skin-bleaching cream?
I heard the dangers of skin bleaching creams, and I don't want to ruin my skin and potentially cause skin cancer.
But, my esthetician assured me that I would be fine and that Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent helpful for hyperpigmentation.
Hydroquinone must be used under a dermatologist's care and is only for short-term use. It can be used twice daily for up to three months. Frequent use longer than directed will cause irritations.
I trusted my esthetician, and she wouldn't recommend something that would cause harm, so I went online and filled out the quiz on Musely's website.
When it comes to the quiz, it asks about your medical history, like they do when you visit the doctor's office and dentist; however, you have to take a front, side-to-side picture of yourself so Musely's dermatologist can examine your skin and prescribe you the appropriate medication.
Within a day or two, a dermatologist created a treatment plan for me using a one-year prescription called The Spot Cream, which included active ingredients like Hydroquinone and Niacinamide. The medication was delivered to my house within a few days.
What Ingredients Help Hyperpigmentation?
- Hydroquinone
- Niacinamide
- Kojic Acid
- Azelaic Acid
- Vitamin C
- Retinoid
- Licorice Root
- Cysteamine
- Arbutin
- Chemical Exfoliants
- Tranexamic Acid
How Much Does Musely's The Spot Cream Cost?
Musely's The Spot Cream costs $92.00 plus a one-time Doctor Visit Fee of $20.00. You can earn cash back by subscribing to lower your following refill costs. The cashback reward is about $5.00.
When starting out, I was directed to use it nightly and gradually use it in the morning. Using an SPF with The Spot Cream is vital, or you will cause further damage to your skin!
What I noticed using The Spot Cream at first, it made my spots darker. I wanted to discontinue use, but I kept using it anyway.
Also, with continued use, my skin started to become dry, so with the dermatologist's direction, it said to use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. That helped out a lot, helping my skin heal the damaged skin barrier.
Also, I had to send images of my face weekly on the Musely app, so the dermatologist could check out my progress. After a while, I stopped sending it in because it became repetitive.
Week three was when I noticed a change in my dark marks fading. Because I saw the product was working, I decided to subscribe to have auto-refills every two months for 12 months.
During the 60-day mark, my dark spots were basically gone! I couldn't believe it! Musely really does work!
After three months, Musely sent me a prescription without Hydroquinone, with Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, and Azelaic Acid to keep up with my progress.
In the fifth month, Musely had me back on Hydroquinone.
Thanks to Musely, I hardly wear makeup! As a result, my skin looks lighter, with fewer marks. And yes, it gives you a lighter complexion, but it does not give you an uneven skin tone.
Does the Results with Musely Last Forever?
Results can be permanent if you have a good skincare routine, a proper diet, and don't pick your acne.
But when I went to Medspa recently and tried a new skincare treatment, it purged my skin and caused so much acne. I panicked and started popping my pimples, which left scars again.
So, I was back to square one with my Musely treatment. Good thing I'm still on a treatment plan with Musely. And again, it faded my dark marks.
Is Musely The Spot Cream Worth It?
Musely's The Spot Cream is definitely worth it! Of course, it's costly, but if you're consistent, it'll fade your dark spots and melasma within 60 days.
Musely gives you the convenience of having a dermatologist without needing to go to a physical office. And no insurance is required.
The only downside is that Musely doesn't accept insurance, so you must pay the cost out of pocket.
Update! I had a major setback due to Musely's The Spot Cream causing irritation, enlarged pores, rashes, and white and blackheads. I stopped using it for 3 months, and then started using it again and had an allergic reaction. Now, I have dark spots all over my face!!! I look worst than before using Musely The Spot Cream! You can read on how I'm trying to reverse the damage here.
Does Musely offer Other Prescription Products?
Musely offers other skincare products like anti-aging, rosacea, eye wrinkles, and hair loss. Even particular concerns like dark body spots, including in private areas, dark neck spots, and Keratosis Pilaris.
Check out Musely, and see 400,000+ actual patients with life-changing results.
Are there Dark Spot Alternatives to Buy Over the Counter?
Suppose you're looking for alternative products that use active ingredients to fade your dark marks. In that case, Paula's Choice has products to fit your needs. Here is what you can use instead: