Hi everyone! I am new to the forum and have been doing extensive resrearch on skin lightening. I am "Venus Williams' colour and I am looking to lighten a few shades - hopefully to something like Mel B (of Spice Girls fame) colour which appeals to me.

(My first reason among others for wanting to lighten is because I just do not photo well and I am always scared to have a photo taken where only my teeth are showing! Lol)

On a serious note, I have been looking at Hydroquinone, Arbutin and Monobenzone.

From this forum I note that Monobenzone, does not lighten the skin, it just depigments the skin and will turn it white so don't think this is useful for wha Im after.

Also Arbutin and Hydroquinone seem like 'ideal' solutions, however may cause problems with the liver if used in excess. I have found a company based in China who are willing to supply me - they say they have many clients in UK and want to charge £200-300.00 for 16oz 10 to 20% concentration (thix is a quote for Arbutin).

The company is amandahitech - anyone ever heard or bought from them? Are they genuine? Your advice is appreciated :-)

I am going to see a dermatologist very soon, so if I get any useful feedback or advice from them, I'll let you know.

I would definitely consider hydroquinone, it really works, but if you want a drastic change like that then your going to have to use a high concentration of it, can't comment on arbutin , never used it before!!

OK I am confused... some people say hq is BAD and some say its good! What is the truth!

Its bad if used extensively (years)

Hmm I see more research is required! Thank you

Hq is bad long term it can change the skin by making it darker, I've seen some people with green streaks of skin. I use high hq, lightening soaps, pills, retina, kojic acid etc. I lightened about 6 shades went from whoopi to beyounce

I use hq 2% with aha soap(for body)works amazing

are you serious?
well how long did it take you?
can I see pics?
email = [email protected]

i use hq 2% with aha soap(for body)works amazing

What is the active ingredient in the aha soap

what is the active ingredient in the aha soap
Alpha hydroxy acid,Lactic Acid is the main ingredient, it says on the box Sodium Tallowate, Sodium Cocoate/Sodium Palm Kemelate, Water, (Aqua), Glycerin, Fragrance, (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Chloride, Lactic Acid, A.H.A, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Pentasodium Penetate, then I use hq lotion

alpha hydroxy acid,Lactic Acid is the main ingredient, it says on the box Sodium Tallowate, Sodium Cocoate/Sodium Palm Kemelate, Water, (Aqua), Glycerin, Fragrance, (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Chloride, Lactic Acid, A.H.A, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Pentasodium Penetate, then i use hq lotion

Thxxx tai, cause I've seen aha solution around but never tried it though:D
My regimn is like a grocery list no more room to add anything else:p

Hi everyone, thank you for all of your comments - they are very helpful. Will defin. Try high dose hq and a combination of other methods (soaps/lotion) - before and after pics would be great to see - [email protected]

Lighterr - you've probably been harassed for where you got your creams from as your results seem amazing! If you can I'd be grateful if you could send me details!

Will let you know how I get on...

Hi everyone, thank you for all of your comments - they are very helpful. Will defin. try high dose hq and a combination of other methods (soaps/lotion) - before and after pics would be great to see - [email protected]

Lighterr - you've probably been harassed for where you got ur creams from as your results seem amazing! if you can I'd be grateful if you could send me details!

Will let you know how I get on.....

I did get really good results cause I have a regimn the size of a grocery list:D
But it works:p not harassment at all I like helping others where all in this lightening together. Once you do start I must advise to avoid the sun @ all cost and most important use sunscreen even when you in your house.;)

I did get really good results cause i have a regimn the size of a grocery list:D
But it works:p not harassment at all i like helping others where all in this lightening together. Once you do start i must advise to avoid the sun @ all cost and most important use sunscreen even when you in your house.;)

lighterrr would you mind if you send me your list of products you use?:(

no problem, here is my current regimn

3 in 1 whitening soap I bath 2X daily
Apply hq 10% to face 3X daily and body 2X daily
retina 3X a week
Glutha pills 1000mg 1X daily
kojic acid cream 1X daily
Vitamin C 1X daily
Injections 1X weekly

I did get really good results cause i have a regimn the size of a grocery list:D
But it works:p not harassment at all i like helping others where all in this lightening together. Once you do start i must advise to avoid the sun @ all cost and most important use sunscreen even when you in your house.;)

Wear sunscreen even at home?:eek: y?:confused: I only wear sunscreen if its hot or sunny outside.. never at home or during winter lol..

wear sunscreen even at home?:eek: y?:confused: i only wear sunscreen if its hot or sunny outside.. never at home or during winter lol..

Lol yes I do sweet I know that I am a skin whitening extremist though and I have accepted that.:o I wear it because I have large windows and the sun penetrates my blinds and lands right on me, well I can't accept that so I wear it in the house all the time:)

lol yes i do sweet i know that i am a skin whitening extremist though and i have accepted that.:o I wear it because i have large windows and the sun penetrates my blinds and lands right on me, well i can't accept that so i wear it in the house all the time:)

Oh OK. Lol.. I just started using suncreen recently.. never used 2.. Guess that's y my body is diff shades lol... when I went to africa for winter break, I noticed that a lot of people who bleach don't use sunscreen but still maintain their skin color:eek: I guess the sunrays here are stronger:confused:

oh ok. lol.. i just started using suncreen recently.. never used 2.. guess that's y my body is diff shades lol... when i went to africa for winter break, i noticed that alot of people who bleach dont use sunscreen but still maintain their skin color:eek: i guess the sunrays here are stronger:confused:

Maybe but they put on bleach like crazy over there where did you go I am leaving for Nigeria west africa in 2 days, my fiancée is Nigerian. Yeah I saw all these women with whitening cream on their face it wasn't even rubbed in they just put the white cream on their face and left it like that :eek: I kept asking my guy why they did that he just said they wanted it to stay on their face as long as possible, made no sense to me but I was like. Whatever? Girl I'm going to be avoiding the sun @ all cost OMG I got sunscreen 100% and its just pure long sleeves and long dresses for me. Thank god the maxi dresses are still trendy:D I went to the mall yesterday and bought like 7 of them :eek:

Maybe but they put on bleach like crazy over there where did you go i am leaving for Nigeria west africa in 2 days, my fiancee is Nigerian. Yeah I saw all these women with whitening cream on their face it wasn't even rubbed in they just put teh white cream on their face and left it like that :eek: i kept asking my guy why they did that he just said they wanted it to stay on their face as long as possible, made no sense to me but i was like. Whatever? Girl im gonna be avoiding the sun @ all cost OMG i got sunscreen 100% and its just pure long sleeves and long dresses for me. Thank god the maxi dresses are still trendy:D I went to the mall yesterday and bought like 7 of them :eek:

Lol I went to cameroon.. :eek: at nigeria.. I have a family friend who has been bleaching for a few years.. wears shorts and tank tops and still maintained her skin color.. must be using some really strong cream.. I wish I had asked lol.. that's my prob with bleaching.. I want to be able to wear short skirts and cute tops outside and wear bikini's to the beach.. don't feel like covering up all the time:(

Maybe but they put on bleach like crazy over there where did you go i am leaving for Nigeria west africa in 2 days, my fiancee is Nigerian. Yeah I saw all these women with whitening cream on their face it wasn't even rubbed in they just put teh white cream on their face and left it like that :eek: i kept asking my guy why they did that he just said they wanted it to stay on their face as long as possible, made no sense to me but i was like. Whatever? Girl im gonna be avoiding the sun @ all cost OMG i got sunscreen 100% and its just pure long sleeves and long dresses for me. Thank god the maxi dresses are still trendy:D I went to the mall yesterday and bought like 7 of them :eek:

Can u please pm me where u got the sunscreen 100%?:D

lol i went to cameroon.. :eek: at nigeria.. I have a family friend who has been bleaching for a few years.. wears shorts and tank tops and still maintained her skin color.. must be using some really strong cream.. i wish i had asked lol.. thats my prob with bleaching.. i want to be able to wear short skirts and cute tops outside and wear bikini's to the beach.. dont feel like covering up all the time:(
I so know the feeling

ok i am confused...some people say hq is BAD and some say its good!! what is the truth!?

It doesn't work for me. Might work for you. But it can cause cancer. For most people it lightens their skin, which is why they probably say it's good. But it's at your own risk.

Wow 2%?? Mmmm wouldn't work for me!
Ive used 8% for 10 yrs off & on w retin a. the face is different from the skin. I have 40% for the body very slow for what I need. Arbutin ( benzarbutin) depig.com a waste of money guaranteed.

Sweetchia,
I found my sunscreen on eBay. Its thick & it leave a white film on my face.
I think Nutrogena came out w a 100.

They did come out with a 100 and I got it. I like it and it works. You should def. try it.

Is it cheaper than 25.00? LOL
That's what I paid for Photoderm Max Crème
100 spf

thxxx tai, cause ive seen aha solution around but never tried it though:D
my regimn is like a grocery list no more room to add anything else:p

Hi Lighterrr would it be possible to send me a before and after picture and your skin lightening method - I'm using skin lightners but my viens keep showing - do you know what I can do to prevent my viens showing also my face has become so spotty. Help I'm a fellow nigerian [email protected]

Not freakin benzyl arbutin... scam crap... the real alpha arbutin, you can get at skinactives.com is good

Ms nina why are you so concern with changing who you are. What is so wrong with being venus williams color. Honey god created us all different shades, there are actually people that are really light that don't like there skin tone . If someone has made you feel that you are less than because of your color don't get in agreeance with them. Your beautiful just the way you are. Michaeal Jackson was made fun of as a child and he has ruined his self from his skin to his features. Its really sad that people won't accept themselves for who they are. We only have a short time here nina focus on thing that won't fade away.

Hi Lighterrr would it be possible to send me a before and after picture and your skin lightening method - im using skin lightners but my viens keep showing - do u know what i can do to prevent my viens showing also my face has become so spotty. help im a fellow nigerian [email protected]

Np girl, face spotty what have you been using:) I hope its not mono

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum been trying to lighten my skin for a while nothing seems to work perfectly.. don't know if its my lack of patience. But I have a major problem with my knuckles and my toes and a part of my face I lighter than the other I need a solution to this problem.. any assistance would be kindly appreciated..