u/gramcracker93

After months of being so content with how my skin was looking before my wedding in mid August, I recently developed some melasma spots (kind of like sun spots) after a day at the pool and I’m fully panicking. If it remains how it currently is, it’s luckily pretty minor/not really noticeable (even without makeup), but I’m terrified it’ll get worse before the wedding bc there‘s so many triggers that are so hard to avoid in the summer (sun, heat, blue light from screens, getting sweaty from exercise..). From what I’ve read, there are effective treatments (topicals, lasers) but the spots may never fully go away and it’s a permanent skin condition that I’ll always have to manage.. And I’m not sure what treatment options will be feasible so close to the wedding.

Hoping an appointment with the derm will make me feel better but we’re out of town for the next week so I need to wait and that’s not helping with the anxiety..

It’s truly been all I can think about. My fiance was so excited to relax and go out of town for the Fourth after being super stressed at work and he’s been patient/supportive but I’ve basically ruined our time here by obsessing/spiraling, refusing to go the beach or be outside for any extended period of time bc I’m so scared it’ll get worse, even with heavy sun protection. Our honeymoon right after the wedding is supposed to be a beach vacation and I wanna cry every time I think about it bc I was so excited for it but now I’m scared to do anything that might make it permanently worse (even after the wedding).

I guess just looking for words of assurance or comfort that will help reframe my perspective in the meantime 💔 I’m just so devastated that this is my mindset in the time leading up to the wedding when I thought I’d just be happy and excited and feeling beautiful.

Noticed a few minor grayish/brownish splotches on my face after a pool day that I’ve since realized must be melasma and my wedding is in mid August. The more I read about melasma, the more I spiral.. it’s permanent, you have to be EXTREMELY cautious in the sun, the dreaded “melasma mustache“, it’s easily triggered by heat, you can’t compensate with a spray tan bc it makes it worse… Trying to get in with a derm to see what my options are but I’m looking for reassurance in the meantime 😩

I’m so stressed it’s going to get worse before my wedding (as it stands, it’s luckily minor/not very noticeable but it’s the summer so I can’t completely avoid the sun/heat) and I get so sad thinking about our honeymoon which is a beach vacation. At this point I don’t even want to go anywhere near a beach (even with tons of sunscreen and a hat) in fear that it’ll get worse, esp the two spots on my upper lip. It feels like a new reality that I don’t want to live with (regardless of the wedding) and is coming at a horrible time when I should be excited and want to feel beautiful.

If there are any women here whose melasma remained minor or responded really well to treatment or doesn’t completely rule your life during the summer, that would be extremely comforting 🙏

I realize this is a very specific question but does anyone live by St Agnes Catholic Church on Sackett (border of Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill/Gowanus) and know if they ring the bells every hour? Looking at an apartment by there and there are some complaints on Google reviews of the bells chiming for 3 min straight every hour, but they're from 6 years ago so that may not be an issue anymore.

Should we have any concerns around noise/crowds on Sunday mornings, etc.? We don't have a car so not worried about parking. Would welcome any insight from those familiar with the area!