I thought I'd share some pics for anyone else dealing with melasma and/or sun damage.

These are pix of my forehead. The top one was taken July 31st and the bottom was taken on Oct 7th.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/982/foreheads1.jpg

Left was July 31st ---- Right was Oct 7th

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8/augtooct.jpg

These below (red shirts) are to give an idea what happens when I neglect to do any sort of sun protection or intentional exfoliation. I was basically washing & moisturizing only. The photo on the left is not my darkest tan. Apologies for the quality. These are photo of framed photos.:p I hope it's enough to give you an idea of how dark (and uneven) I can get.

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2594/pastl.jpg

On a good summer, I could approximate Kelly R.'s (left) color (not as red though) here

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2962/picture3ja.png

the problem is that my untanned parts were closer to Sanaa L.'s color in this photo

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3646/sanaal1.jpg


I'd love to hear from anyone who has maintained an even complexion for years. What is your regimen? Have you found any nutritional, dietary elements that help?

I've been reading all sorts of things from taking gluthathione and vit-c to avoiding caffeine & aspartame.

I'm currently using sunscreen faithfully, sometimes hats.. Products are:

Fair and Flawless Parfait
Fair and Flawless Resurfacing Cleanser (it's like a gentle scrub)
Dove Soap
Likas Papaya Soap (when i remember to use it)
Othine HQ cream
Belo Whitening Lotion on my arms and knees (just started with this week)

My goal is to have an even color all over. My forehead, back of neck, forearms, knees, and back of hands are the most out of whack.

It's crazy, I used to lay out try to even my skin shades! It looked good for a while but got gross again when the dark tan faded became got patchy. Lots of sun was also a problem depending on what sort of clothes I wore.. some times I'd get an awful farmer's tan... or chocolate head, caramel boobs, you name it. Arrgh.

Of course I thought the answer was even more sun or foundation. Sigh.

Anyway, Thank you in advance for any help or experiences you can share.

Thanks for sharing your pics Eggo. What were between July and Oct. that got you lighter? Was it that same regime you just posted? From the 1st pictures you posted it seems like you color is coming along nicely, but as you said, when you neglect any maintenance care then you can tan quicker than you can lighten again. My arms and legs got very dark during the summer but so did my back and my back was never exposed! Lightening really isn't really a one time quick fix if you want to stay the proper shade; you have to maintain a few times out the week. But as far as your products I have tried Othine, but not long enough to report on its effectiveness. I'm not familiar with the other products but Fair and Flawless is pretty costly to maintain. I will be trying Clair Liss and I just refilled a prescription for 4%HQ plus 0.5 Retin A; the retin a somewhat improves the effectiveness of the HQ as new skin cells are constantly regenerating allowingthe HQ to penetrate better. This combo works pretty good on the face if you do not have an allergic reaction. Good luck and hope you reach your goal.

Thanks for sharing your pics Eggo. What were between July and Oct. that got you lighter? Was it that same regime you just posted? From the 1st pictures you posted it seems like you color is coming along nicely, but as you said, when you neglect any maintenance care then you can tan quicker than you can lighten again. My arms and legs got very dark during the summer but so did my back and my back was never exposed! Lightening really isn't really a one time quick fix if you want to stay the proper shade; you have to maintain a few times out the week. But as far as your products I have tried Othine, but not long enough to report on its effectiveness. I'm not familiar with the other products but Fair and Flawless is pretty costly to maintain. I will be trying Clair Liss and I just refilled a prescription for 4%HQ plus 0.5 Retin A; the retin a somewhat improves the effectiveness of the HQ as new skin cells are constantly regenerating allowingthe HQ to penetrate better. This combo works pretty good on the face if you do not have an allergic reaction. Good luck and hope you reach your goal.

Thanks for your note! I've been wondering about Retin-A... yes, it seems like anything that reveals fresh skin for the "bleaching" agent to work on is good. Also great for removing the old damage, if one has it.

Yes, that's all I've used recently (items in my first post). From July to Oct. The Othine has only been in the rotation for about 2 weeks now. The Belo is the most recent but for my arms only.

I'm going to try to hold it there on new things for a while. 'Don't want to be back with a sob story and gallery of horror photos. Lol!

I didn't tan much this summer but I was sketchy with my sun protection... hence my lovely forehead.:eek: There's also some residual pregnancy melasma on the sides of my face.. I started to go back to my old aesthetician & spa but that was a serious arm and a leg... worse than the $F&F$ items. Also with the internet, it's not necessary anymore to get the products through the spa, if you're careful.

I'm sure it'll take me a least a year to get some sort of whole body shade harmony going. I've been shoddy with my skin care for so long. Also after my recent research, I've realized that tanning is officially out for me.:( When my skin is together, I'll have to find a good bronzer or some fakebake lotion and call it a day if I get the tropical urge again.

About your back, I read somewhere here than you can get tan through clothes! I had no idea but looking at myself a few minutes ago, my back is darker too. So I guess it's best to put the sunscreen on all over! I've only been putting it on the exposed bits.

Thanks for your well-wishes, I wish you success in your skin care mission too!:)

Thanks Eggo for this post!! I really like the 3rd after pic of your forehead, what were you using to get that shade? The skin looks clearer, even, and smoother too in your after pics. F&F is way out of my budget, but I would like to know how well the Belo brand lightens your arms. I guess that will take another 3-4 weeks to really see a difference with the arms though. Hq/tret seems to be the most effective and well-priced lightener for the body from what I see so far. I just don't want it to damage my organs or anything if I do use it as a body lightener, don't know how to avoid this.

I didn't know you can get tanned with clothes on? Explains why my back is darker then. I'll just buy more neutrogena sunblock spray, beats rubbing it in everywhere. Please keep us updated.

Thanks Eggo for this post!!! I really like the 3rd after pic of your forehead, what were you using to get that shade? The skin looks clearer, even, and smoother too in your after pics. F&F is way out of my budget, but I would like to know how well the Belo brand lightens your arms. I guess that will take another 3-4 weeks to realy see a difference with the arms though. Hq/tret seems to be the most effective and well-priced lightener for the body from what I see so far. I just don't want it to damage my organs or anything if I do use it as a body lightener, don't know how to avoid this.

I didn't know you can get tanned with clothes on? Explains why my back is darker then. I'll just buy more neutrogena sunblock spray, beats rubbing it in everywhere. Please keep us updated.

Thanks GG!

The F & F Soho parfait since July 31st plus the Othine for apprx 2 week?

Also cleansing scrub and sunscreen

... Yes, it feels so much better already. I don't know what took me so long to wake up! LOL!

I'm going to stay with the Belo unless it bothers me. Hopefully I'll do another round of photos by the end of December.

The HQ-Tret is the same as Triluma right?

I think I saw one of the Filipino products (Maxi-Peel?) with HQ & Tretinoin listed as ingredients too. I'm not sure if I bought one of those.

If you good find budget-friendly items feel free to post here or PM me. I'm trying to get my glow for less. LOL! I'm not crazy about the prospect of being bound to F & F. Companies close sometimes too so I like the idea of having back-up choices.

Your right it is good to have back up options because the things we get dependent on either become resistant by our skin or the company shuts down. Yes triluma is hq and tret and also Fluocinolone, a steroid to control irritation

Thanks It's a New Day! That's another good point. My aesthetician would change things around a bit because of the skin getting 'bored'.

I found the Maxi-Peel with HQ & Tret I mentioned earlier

Maxi-Peel Exfoliant (Tretinoin & Hydroquinone) by Splash Corporation - 60 ml (http://www.911healthshop.com/maxi-peel-exfoliant.html)

That's a different one than one I have.. I think.:confused: I'll double check the ingredients on mine in the morning.

The TriLuma here is 95 dollars. :/

Tri Luma Skin Lightening Cream (http://www.triluma.blogspot.com/)

I'm not a hardcore cheapskate but I don't want to pay through the nose for clear skin.

I see the MAxiPeel has three level depending on the severity of each person's case, so Im guessing each level has a different dose of tretinoin? Yeh Tri Luma is expensive, but thank God for insurance because mine is only $15 with insurance and they are running a $40 rebate right now so it is pretty much free when I go pick up my renewal. Good ol insurance lol

That's a great deal!

Is Tri-Luma supposed to be by prescription in the US? I wonder if using it would speed my process.

... Also wondering if it smells better than the Othine. It's kind of peeyew. Lol!

Othine had an OK scent, it was just too perfumey for me, but as far as I know Tri Luma is by prescription only, but that website you posted apparently has some in stock some way somehow. I see they also have a generic comniantion for $40; this is my 1st time seeing a generic. They also have some other interesting stuff that I know nothing about. Im sure it will speed up your process though, I've only heard good things about retin a and tretinoin. Except from those who have an allergic reaction, which is common.

Wow, I'm looking at the other stuff... Gah.. maybe too many choices.
My head is spinning! LOL

I'll try to use up some of the gunk that I've bought so far first.

This site (I mean here AMHD - Skin Lightening) is a fab resource. I'm learning so much.

Thanks again!

Looking at my recent pic, I'm also realizing that I need to wax my upper lip! LMAO! My 'stach is not blending well.:p

It's always something.:rolleyes:

Lol I wish waxing my lips was the biggest problem I had right now. Actually as you lighten the hairs on your upper lip do become more prominent in contrast to the lighter skin, so that's another upkeep added to the list lol

It's 3:14.. wow, I totally lost track of the hours. Time to take my Frida Kahlo-Tom Selleck lookin' self to bed.

Wax wax wax. Good Night-Good Morning! :)

OK, I'm looking at this chart trying to figure out if I'm red or olive?


http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6558/untitledvibh8.jpg

It's from this older thread

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/skin-lightening/skin-chart-tone-you-289653.html

Oh I remember that chart! Good old times!

Cool! Thanks Eggo. I guess I would say I'm an olive tone level 8 and would like to move up to a level 6, she looks foreign too. So that's 2 levels up, does that mean 2 shades? I know I would have to lighten more than 2 shades though, how many shades is the difference?

Oh by the way I love Frida Kahlo!

Some recent pix (this past week)

Left side without flash - right side with flash on
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2504/octhat19.jpg

More "Before"s (I was in the hospital after giving birth center left, and pregnant top row, so please excuse my extra bloatedness.. lol)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7140/beforepix1.jpg

Cool! Thanks Eggo. I guess I would say I'm an olive tone level 8 and would like to move up to a level 6, she looks foreign too. So that's 2 levels up, does that mean 2 shades? I know I would have to lighten more than 2 shades though, how many shades is the difference??

Oh by the way I love Frida Kahlo!!

I think so but I get confused with levels and shades, I'm not 100% sure!:p

Eggo your so lightskin now, you look great and it's so natural. To me you look like your between a 6 and a 5 olive, or Rihanna's complexion on the chart. I would love to reach and maintain this by December or January. What's next on your list to do?

Woww!! Your results are amazing. Are you still on the F & F and glycolic peels then ?

I am so jealous by the way :|
Could you tell us exactly what your regime is/products and what order and timing etc

I would love to have results like yours :|

Woww!!! Your results are amazing. Are you still on the F & F and glycolic peels then ?



i am so jealous by the way :|
could you tell us exactly what your regime is/products and what order and timing etc

i would love to have results like yours :|


Hi Maharini & Fairr!

I'm cut pasting my regi that I posted in the celeb example thread

Protection (sunscreen and hats)



Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby SPF 60

Anthelios 60 Melt-in..(less chalky than the Neutrogena)

not cute but hey, if I know I'm going to be out or walking in the sun I have one of these hats in my bag handy.

http://www.e4hats.com/_e/dept/62-001/Extra_Big_Size_Fishing_Hats.htm

))))))

For brightening of face and neck until last week (it's arm time):

Fair and Flawless Soho Lightening Parfait

Othine HQ 3 % cream

cleansers:

Fair and Flawless Resurfacing Cleanser (gentle scrub.. awesome)

Dove sensitive fragrance free soap

Likas Papaya Soap


Random extra:

Glycolic 35% Peels 1-2x a week depending on how skin feels

***

* So for AM: I wash with one of my cleansers, pat or let air dry, then apply F & F or Othine to my face and neck...applied my sunscreen about 30 min before going out during the day.


* PM: same minus the sunscreen

* Once or twice a week perform 35% glycolic peel on face and neck


I'm now trying a similar routine on my arms. Sometimes I'll sneak in a midday wash and reapply Othine if I have time.

HTH!

Thank you!

Eggo your so lightskin now, you look great and it's so natural. to me you look like your between a 6 and a 5 olive, or Rihanna's complexion on the chart. I would love to reach and maintain this by December or January. what's next on your list to do?

Thanks GG! I'm on arms & hands hardcore now (using remainder of FF facial/ Othine/gly peels)... They're way more resistant than the face. I have lovely peelies (skin flakes) all over them now, but at least there's progress.

I think I'm looking at Januaryish for my arms to match.. hopefully. I don't know, they're tough & I didn't do any sunscreen on them this summer. I only protected my face and neck. Sigh. So it could take longer, we'll see. Hopefully they'll tolerate the HQ 4% & RA well.

Im off and on with the back of my neck it's sensitive and I have good days and cruddy ones.

I asked my husband earlier and he says I'm about a 6.5 on that skin shade chart & closer to the level 6 if I'm up late tired or in the mornings. I just think he's trying to scare me, I'm still brown.. . I thought 7 olive ish (yes, the old-school Rih pic there) but maybe I'm subconsciously averaging in these arms and hands.:D

That combination of FF and Othine is crazy. I haven't applied them to my face since the 14th of October but it feels like my face has continued to lighten a bit? Is that normal?

The undertone(?) is now more natural though and it matches my chest's undertones a bit closer than when I first quit.

Thanks Eggo for listing what gave you success. Where can I get one of these hats and what are they called. I seen them before, are they fishermen's hats?

Thanks Eggo for listing what gave you success. where can I get one of these hats and what are they called. I seen them before, are they fishermen's hats?

Yep. Fishing hats! I've seen some better styles with larger brims.. like for gardening or with UV protective fabrics but I have a huge head and thick hair. Most of the cute ones don't come in my size.:(

So these are the best I've found so far.

I get them from e4hats.com

large alien head sizes

Extra Big Size Fishing Hats - Big Hat, Fedora of Big Sizes at e4Hats.com (http://www.e4hats.com/_e/dept/62-001/Extra_Big_Size_Fishing_Hats.htm)


normal folx.. lol

Outdoor, Sunblock Hats - Outdoors at e4Hats.com (http://www.e4hats.com/_e/gdept/04/Outdoor_Sunblock_Hats.htm)

I like these.. they have a larger brim but I'd probably have to a serious tie down puff to get it on big my head. Even then it might be a brain squeezer.

Explorer Outdoor Hats - Outdoor, Sunblock Hats of Outdoor at e4Hats.com (http://www.e4hats.com/_e/dept/04-033/Explorer_Outdoor_Hats.htm)

This is cute too

Sunblock Aussie Hats - Outdoor, Sunblock Hats of Outdoor at e4Hats.com (http://www.e4hats.com/_e/dept/04-034/Sunblock_Aussie_Hats.htm)

If anyone sees a cute sunhat in a 3XL anywhere, feel free to PM me! :o

Hi Maharini & Fairr!



Extra Big Size Fishing Hats - Big Hat, Fedora of Big Sizes at e4Hats.com (http://www.e4hats.com/_e/dept/62-001/Extra_Big_Size_Fishing_Hats.htm)


HTH!

EggoMini

Do you know I have been buying from that company for 10 years. I purchased the oversize visor and I would not be without it in the summer and whenever it is sunny so even on cooler days, basically whenever the dreaded sun is out. I have been asked where I get the visor from as it isn't that common in the UK as far as I have seen, but that company has been a life saver for me. I love them!

[QUOTE=EggoMini;2050244]Thanks GG!

I asked my husband earlier and he says I'm about a 6.5 on that skin shade chart & closer to the level 6 if I'm up late tired or in the mornings. I just think he's trying to scare me, I'm still brown.. . I thought 7 olive ish (yes, the old-school Rih pic there) but maybe I'm subconsciously averaging in these arms and hands.:D

QUOTE]


I know you said your husband is white. Just curious to know what his thoughts are about your regime. I know you mentioned that you are really trying to correct sun damage, but does he ever question what you are doing?

So I'm a redtone 8. Interesting. The olive tone 8 looks lighter than the red tones.

Thanks GG!

I asked my husband earlier and he says I'm about a 6.5 on that skin shade chart & closer to the level 6 if I'm up late tired or in the mornings. I just think he's trying to scare me, I'm still brown. ...I thought 7 olive ish (yes, the old-school Rih pic there) but maybe I'm subconsciously averaging in these arms and hands.:D




I know you said your husband is white. Just curious to know what his thoughts are about your regime. I know you mentioned that you are really trying to correct sun damage, but does he ever question what you are doing?

OMG, Yes. As soon as the changes became noticeable, he gave me the major side-eye & asked what I was "doing now". He also got nervous about the glycolic peels.. I guess I didn't help when I said "Don't touch me, I've got acid on my skin!" One night I rinsed it off in the shower, then afterwards was messing around with my hair & listening to the radio... basically taking forever.

He knocked on the door and said "Are you still alive in there?!!" " When I answered he said he thought I'd dissolved or something. :rolleyes:

I did go to the archives & pull out some childhood photos to remind him of my real color (he'd seen these photos already but i guess they hadn't registered before). I also had to compare the different existing tones on my body. I was like "hello? "(showing my chest,boob, & stomach areas against my forearms & hands)

He countered by pointing out his own assortment of colors.. . I said that it's fine for him if he likes it... He can cover up in a dinner jacket... BUT How many women do you see in formals (esp strapless) with farmer's tans or with heads, necks, and decolletages badly mismatched?

He calmed down a ton after that. When we met and married I was pretty dark & still tanning, so I sort of understood his disorientation but OTOH it's not that super drastic. I'm still brown. I was lighter during the winters in Europe, also sick a lot. So he says I now look like I did when I was down with a winter flu.

The other day I told my husband and my mom that they both need to use some of my products themselves. My dh laughed & my mom gave me the once-over & said 'Nooo thanks, I'll keep my tan!'

They do need it tho'.:p

Eggo I just ordered a 50% gly peel for my arms, knees, and elbows to start. Hopefully that lets my cream penetrate better as my hq cream is very greasy and I'm worried it may not absorb. This a such a high percentage for a 1st time peeler like myself but I plan to use it on the tougher areas 1st and only keep it on for like 2-3 min. the 1st week then see how that goes, and I'll play it by ear from there. I'll surely keep you posted. I'm getting ready to take before pics =-)

Eggo I just ordered a 50% gly peel for my arms, knees, and elbows to start. Hopefully that lets my cream penetrate better as my hq cream is very greasy and I'm worried it may not absorb. This a such a high percentage for a 1st time peeler like myself but I plan to use it on the tougher areas 1st and only keep it on for like 2-3 min. the 1st week then see how that goes, and I'll play it by ear from there. I'll surely keep you posted. I'm getting ready to take before pics =-)

50% GLY is no joke for me... maybe try it on your knees or elbows (if they're rough like min.. lol) only first.. . just to get a feel for it.

Then do a very small test patch first on any other areas you plan to apply on.

I don't want to seem like a bossyboots know-it-all but I feel it's better to be sure how your skin reacts before applying over a larger area.

I still want to try the lactic.. what percentage have you been using & where? TIA

50% GLY is no joke for me... maybe try it on your knees or elbows (if they're rough like min..lol) only first. ...just to get a feel for it.

Then do a very small test patch first on any other areas you plan to apply on.

I don't want to seem like a bossyboots know-it-all but i feel it's better to be sure how your skin reacts before applying over a larger area.

I still want to try the lactic..what percentage have you been using & where? TIA



You know what Eggo you're right, definitely best to try the elbows and knees first before going for the gutso and doing large areas, thanks for the suggestion, since this will be my very first ever peel. Oh sorry if I confused you I have never used a lactic acid peel I just read that it is better for darker skin tones, so if all goes well with the gly and I need some brightening I'll surely dip into some lactic acid. Will keep you posted, thanks for the advice.

"Don't touch me, I've got acid on my skin!"... lol that's funny, it must have really startled him. I wonder how much the lactic acids can lighten brown skin, since it is more gentle?

Oh okay IAND, Best of luck with the glys! I've had great exp wit them.

GG, yes dh was :eek:.. guess he thought I'd lost it & was trying to burn the black off or something.. lol

I'm not clear on the lactic vs. gly thing. I need to go back over to SCT and re-read the posts about lactic's better brightening aspects.

I bought gly simply because that what I remembered from the spa.<shrug>

Ah eggo can you post exactly where you got your peels from? Sorry I'm looking for a really good one and your results amaze me! Lol

fairr,

This is what EggoMini posted


QUOTE

I've been using & will stay with for face

http://www.amazon.com/Glycolic-Acid-Peel-30ml-Professional/dp/B000PNXBVW



I'm ordering for bod

http://www.amazon.com/Glycolic-Acid-Chemical-Peel-Professional/dp/B000YOKZLG



And this for knees

http://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Peel-solution-30mL-Professional/dp/B001E983BO




QUOTE

Ah thankyouuuuuuuuuuuu!