I got a prescription for 6% hq and got it compounded. My dermi said I have type 4 skin (though I think I have type 5 skin) and the 6% should be good for me. Now I am scared to use it on my face lol. I don't want to dilute it and make it less effective, and its only 4 oz. I have a prescription for 1 more refill. Should I test it on a small area first? I was thinking of testing it on the darker pigmented areas on my face to see how strong it is before committing my whole face to it, but I am scared that those areas will become lighter than the rest of my face. What should I do? I am thinking of starting use tonight. Any advice would be appreciated.

BrownDeceit

Me and HQ don't get along. I envy you all that it works for.

Itss A New Day

If I was able to get results with natural products like you trust me I would be going that route, but at least your at/close to your goal and now you'll look hot in the winter!

Itss A New Day

Yes I am taking all of your advice and applying to the small hyperpigmented areas on the sides of my face so I can see the results and compare to my overall complexion. Whatever they used as a base is very greasy, like vaseline consistency, and I'm worried its not absorbing, but I'll see how well it goes and if nothing then I'll get my next refill compounded somewhere else. Will surely keep you guys posted!

Golden_Girl

Hey you ever noticed how Hq smells stinky? lol...I didn't know that. my skin is starting to peel a little and underneath is lighter skin, and I'm getting used to the smell now. But, yeah you really can smell hq

Itss A New Day

Actually my hq has no smell whatsoever, and funny cuz the 1st thing I did was smell it to see how potent it was lol, but all I could see were small particles of hq crystals on my skin, but no smell. Do you have plain 4% hq that you're mixing with your tretinoin, or is yours already mixed? What consistency is your hq?

Golden_Girl

It's pure 4% hq creme usp. and I apply the tret separately from another tube minutes later. So, I don't mix either. the hq has an odor, i don't know if that's common or not.

Itss A New Day

From what I just read, HQ is supposed to either be aromatic or low-odor, but if it has a strong odor that may mean it is oxidizing I think, or the base may have an odor, depending on how they dissolved it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

Golden_Girl

Well, mine isn't aromatic, I guess others may describe it as low-odor idk. It comes in a sealed tube with metal covering, which can only be puntured once it's ready for use. So, it's fresh. Maybe it could be the creme base perhaps?

Itss A New Day

Ok as a quick update my crappy 6% HQ did nothing, zilch, nada; I had better luck with my Triluma. So if you are going to compound your own hq make sure you know what you're doing and I think the mixing process and the base you use is KEY because this one was compounded at a small local pharmacy and I still saw traces of hq crystals that transferred to my skin when I applied it, and the base was heavy like vaseline/aquaphor so I dont know how they expected my skin to absorb this.... This was a dud and a waste of time, but at least I didn't get darker so oh well.

Golden_Girl

sorry to hear about that. Can you have them try and recompound a new batch and address them the problems.