I watched a Doctorly video where they recommended Heliocare supplements for hyperpigmentation. The first thing that came to my mind was "What does Dr. Dray think about that?" I was pleasantly surprised to see this video. Heliocare supplements seem expensive, but if they reduce hyperpigmentation, it's worth it.
After being diagnosed with PMLE (Polymorphic Light Eruption), my Derm Doc (a PA, actually) suggested the Heliocare. I believe the combination of Heliocare, proper sunscreen use, hats, UPF protective clothing & tinted windows & winshield in my car, I have not had a flare up in 2 years! Thanks to Dr. Dray for THE BEST explanation of PMLE, Heliocare and all skin care related content! I don't waste my time with any one else.
I had that polymorphous light eruption a few years ago and these pills absolutely made a difference when paired with good sunscreen. So glad to see your review (even if I’m late to it).
People with sun allergy/photosensitivity actually do benefit from those. Atlhough research is very limited. Of course it doesn't replace the sunscreen.
I’ve been using Heliocare for years, in addition to being a sunscreen fanatic. I have done so much research on Fernblock and there’s no way I’m stopping taking these. I live in AZ, and these truly help my skin to stay healthy as it’s impossible not to be exposed to sunlight. My dermatologist suggested it to me. It seems to help dark spots from developing too.
Here in Costa Rica, these Heliocare pills are kind of popular, I've heard of people take them instead of using sunscreen when they go to the beach ! I've always wondered if they were as effective as they say! Thanks a lot for the information!
Here in Latinamerica, Some dermatologists recommend it in summer time but just to enhace the regular sunscreen protection. But it's always great listeling to your explanation.
I have melasma and have tried everything, except for these pills. Glad I saw this so I don't waste money. I agree, sunscreen is the very best. And melasma is so tricky because even when mine starts fading after my retin-a and hydroquinone, I can literally blow dry my hair and surprise melasma is darker. Heat is awful for melasma. I live right on the beach (not complaining) but I literally look like I'm in full hazmat gear when I go outside because I wear gallons of sunscreen and wear every form of clothing and hats and then I sit under an umbrella on top of it. Love your videos, love all the detailed information. Thanks for sharing!
I would invest in a sunscreen with good (30+) PPD/PA. If you are from Europe or can get hands on it at a cheap price, I think La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ BB cream is the way to go. Really good UVA filter (PPD 42, which is really good, meroxyl XL+SX really does wonders, in addiction to the tinosorbs, none of those ingredients are available in US), also got those iron oxides which can also help melasma a bit(bónus: they also look nice if you dont like being a ghost). Not sure how it goes cosmetically on the skin, everyone seems to have a diferent opinion on it but give it a try. Most sunscreens dont have extraordinary UVA coverage, and American ones are kinda terrible to be honest(FDA is a bitch). Even though most of them are considered "broad-spectrum", that doesnt mean that much when their UVA-factor is low and their fotostability is meh. UVA protection is key to melasma. Obviously dont forget all the other measures about sun protection(UPF hats, sunglasses, avoid outdoors during peak hours). In terms of diet I read that green tea and dark chocolate help reducing UV-damage. Not sure how can it help melasma, but give it a try since both are quite healthy either way. And delicious in my opinion.
Excellent informational video on these supplements. Thank you for clearing up the confusion as there has been some fear mongering around these supplements instead of just clarifying what people should do. I used to take Heliocare, but stopped for some reason back in 2017. Probably cost. I remember that I liked the supplement and seem to get less hyperpigmentation when taking it than without. I used a 50 SPF sunscreen along with it.
This was so informative Dr. Dray! Thank you for clarifying the confusion about these “sunscreen pills” . The information out there is so misleading........ I love your Friday Q&A!!! It is always soooo interesting to me!❤️😘
Dr dray you advised me yesterday to see a doctor about my “sweat rash” and it ended up being a fungus!! Thank you so much. Otherwise I was just going to keep putting aquaphore lol
luisa perales I don’t mean to butt in. Good thing you took Dr Dray’s advice. She’s amazing! My motto regarding my skin is “when in doubt call my GP or Dermatologist asap”! Glad you found out what it was.👍🏻
Thank you for this. I would give this a try because having lupus and scleroderma...I know how flares affect me. I think its worth a try in addition to sunscreen and the hats I wear.
I use this in the summer along with spf ( spf all year as well ) Idk if it really does anything but I’m a let’s leave no stone left unturned kinda person when it comes to skin care
Heliocare (capsules) does NOT promote itself as a substitute for sunscreen. It only states that it is an antioxidant and it has been recommended by dermatologists in conjunction with sun protections.
Thank you Dr dray for making a video on this topic. There is so much hype going on about oral sunscreens currently and I had asked you about this once in your comments :p I’m so glad that I found your channel and I can’t thank you enough for always sharing good content and replying to your viewers. ❤️
Thank you for this, Dr. Dray! You know I asked you about it a few times and I truly appreciate this video. I used to take Heliocare but it was supplemental to my sunscreen; however, I relied too heavily on the Heliocare and didn't reapply sunscreen when outdoors because I figured the Heliocare would protect me. Now I know better. Not sure if I'll repurchase just as an added benefit to my sunscreen...doesn't seem like it's really worth the money. I'm very grateful for the information.
Hi Andrea, Every year I get PMLE with every measure taken, except this year when I started Heliocare in late February. No PMLE at all. I take 1 a day and this seems to be enough for the climate here(Maine).
Thank you so much for this video. I take heliocare in addition to wearing sunscreen. I don’t know if it is helping or not, but I figure it can’t hurt since I’ve been instructed to have no sun exposure from my doctor.
Ive been taking heliocare for a year now and WOW, such extreme changes when taken every single day. I havent burned once and i tan so well with very minimal sun exposure. You should do an updated video on these!!
Hi since you mentioned that you tan so well with very minimal sun exposure, does it mean this supplement is bad and can worsen for dark marks/hyperpigmentation? Or did it help fade hyperpigmentation (if you have any)?
@@Anne7_ Before taking these I used RED light beds therapy which I believe helped so i dont know if these capsules are the positive changes or the RED beds for this issue :(
I take it to supplement my sunscreen- once in the morning and once in the afternoon before or after lunch. Definitely have to watch out for the source of the ingredients too. Thanks for sharing the research.
I don’t think Heliocare is marketed as a sunscreen. That’s unfair. That said, I’ve been using Heliocare for a year and it has helped tremendously with my freckles and sunspots
I know this pills only work with sunscreen protection. I want to know does this pills help with UVA aging rays. I am interested in this product after saw your Instagram. Thankyou doctor be safe 🙏
Delightful to learn with you 🌸 Btw Ive been using Clinique mineral sunscreen (as per one of your recomm for oily skin) and I love it!!! 💟 My Cosrx rice mask arrived so I'll be giving that a try soon. Thanks again!! 🌸🌸
Who knew? As a gal with sensitive skin, I’ve been saying for years...why can’t they just make a pill? We always want an answer in a little pill.😄 I’ll continue with my protocol in place.
We went on a theme park yesterday with the kiddies and we were putting on sunscreen every 2 hours and made sure we had, umbrella, hat & sunglasses. You have helped me realize the importance on reapplying. Thank you!
I’m interested in it as an addition to sun protection, as I’m a fair skinned, freckled person living in the desert. I wish there were more regulation of the product though. Thanks for the info!
I heard about them years ago, then poof, never saw any updates until Dr Dray talked about them today! Fascinating topic, but I agree...I’d never, ever take these supplements. Who knows what possible side effects they may have.
Every polypodim supplement I've looked at recommends using WITH sunscreen. Even listing warnings that it is not a replacement for sunscreen. I take them along with everything else I do to protect my melisma.
@@DrDrayzday No THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING RU-vid VIDEOS. Head to toe, we as a family, are plagued with n number of skin conditions! We owe you so much 🙏💌💝💝💝💝💝💝💝😊
Understand it may work for those who have severe sun allergies, but for most of us, why put a substance IN your body when you can just put something ON your body-especially since they're not regulated.
Dr Dray, what's your view on heliocare sunscreen? Is it overrated? As dermatologist in my country highly promoted this ONE and ONLY sunscreen that will 100% protect us from the UVA UVB etc.. They did the face scan on us to show before and after result applying other brands sunscreen vs heliocare. Of course heliocare shows full coverage/protection on the face analysis scanner.. Then, all other brands like biore, sunplay, cancer council are useless? Waste of money??
Does taking this everyday helps improve skin overall health (i.e. glowing skin) or other benefits (whiter skin or such)? Do you recommend taking this as a daily supplement?
Thank you for such a thorough discussion on this supplement. I had heard of it and was very interested but balked at pricing for just one daily dose. Considering a 2hr window that the supplement stays active upon ingestion, this is one very expensive "adjunctive" to sunscreen and sun avoidance behaviors.
I’ve been considering taking this as a daily supplement during the summer but would also consider it for year-round use. How do you think Heliocare fares against UVA/ photoaging damage as opposed to just UVB/sunburn damage (assuming other appropriate sun protection behaviors are in place)?
U never fail to amaze me. Thank u for all the giving . U work so hard for us. U make certain we understand things completly. Its so nice to have u to trust. Thank u so very much. This is great video. So informative n suprising. Ive never heard of ppl, but know i know something about it, all thanks to u. Ur just such a lovely person.
Very interesting! I had not heard of this, and I am intrigued. I remember that tanning pills enjoyed 15+ minutes of fame, but I like that this supplement has 20 years of research behind it.
supplements all fall under the same demon of marketing gimmicks as cosmetic skin care products...at least ple has some evidence to show it may be helpful and does not seem (as of yet) to be harmful, so long as spf is still ongoing
Dr. Dray, I used to work in marketing, and I used to work for a cosmetic brand. I was always astounded by the claims that cosmetic companies made. Some of my cosmetic industry education was important. I learned about "environmental aging" and that even casual sun exposure was not good -- which is what you preach.
Oh My GOD. every day I wanna Ask U about this heliocare bill but I am too busy. my dermatology ask me to use it and I buy it and I notice when I am use it with my skin care routine and sunscreen my melasma fading
I bought this as I like the potential for it to help protect my skin in addition to Sunscreen. I also take a Superoxide Dismutase supplement for its antioxidant and UV protecting abilities.
Another fascinating video! So, now you've got me curious. Academically speaking, do we know whether this supplement (not going to attempt to spell it!) has any effect on other types of inflammation and redness, such as inflammatory acne and rosacea? Just curious if the hyperpigmentation study mentioned that at all. Thanks for another thought-provoking Q&A!
I find you very informative and entertaining. I'm rather new so have been going back and trying to "cram." I know your specialty is skin care but would love to hear about your decision to go Vegan. I'm very interested in being healthy but all the information out there is rather confusing!! Thank you for your VLOG. Love it!
I’m photo sensitive and my dermatologist recommended this as an extra measure. I just started using it again because I get so red on my chest and neck from sun exposure just walking outside. It’s not a sunburn,it’s redness from exposure,and from past exposure.
I get this every year on my back and shoulders if I expose them to the sun, no matter how much sunscreen I use, within minutes even on a day with 2 to 3 max UV index. It's sun sensitivity, not sunburn. My skin gets red and bumpy and it just looks bad. Consequently I always wear a shirt with a high neck and cover my shoulders year round, which is uncomfortable on very hot days. I wonder if this would help me like it helps you.
Take home message is that it’s not worth it even if you are religious with sunscreen, sun avoidance, UPF clothing etc. Looks like it would be great but the fear is that consumers are typically uninformed to make smart choices so although this would be a great adjuvant it isn’t worth it because it can be misleading. Boo boo ... I contemplated taking this but after reviewing some of the literature and safely profile I started to add it as a cherry on top. The meat and potatoes of my sun protective lifestyle is still sunscreen and all of the above. Hope your well. Xoxoxo from Miami!!!
Hello from Ireland, thanks so much for another informative video. It's great to have sound, evidence-based advice so freely available. In your opinion, would supplements such as these be a useful adjunct to thorough sun safety practices for people at increased risk of skin cancer? There have been five instances of melanoma within my 1st degree relatives, as well as some basal cell carcinomas, so it's a topic close to my heart. Thanks, Lilly
I tried it before, years ago when Heliocare launched the pill as marketed as the sun protection pill, I never seen any enhancement on the sun protection but maybe different individual different effect.
I’ve read about them before but was wary. I’m listening now! Not an option to discontinue Sunscreen. Sunscreen is still # 1. I admit being sad when looking back at how much money I’ve wasted on topical antioxidants! The only supplement I’m on is Prescription Vitamin D from my Doc and 10,000 mcg of Biotin. I’m learning so much about skin and what’s really important, even though still in the process of watching all your videos! Thanks again, Dr Dray!😊👍🏻
Very informative! Thanks Dr. Dray. One quick question- is there any study showing that these pills can reduce redness and itching/burning associated with Rosacea since it inhibits mast cell activity? I use sunscreen very religiously but can this extract help in the redness n irritation that I get from triggers other than Sun? Sometimes I don’t even know what trigger made me red n itchy. Thanks!
This is pretty crazy. Dr dray, I understand you think serums are a total waste of money but if you have to recommend one type, what would you recommend? Perhaps you can do a video on different types of serums and help to explain why you think they are or are not effective?
Sorry Dr. Dray but how come all of your sunscreen products have a UVA-PF lower than 30 at all time. UVA is the most prominent component of damaging the skin. I only use sunscreens from 40 and above.
