DitaVon_Teaze
Aug 18, 2010, 08:38 PM
Hi all. I am new to the site. I have learned a lot of great information here and I hope that you will be able to answer my questions. I apologize for the long post, but I have tried to put the most important points in bold below.
Is monobenzone ever supposed to burn? I ordered 2 20 gram tubes of 20% monobenzone from an online pharmacy that I think is based somewhere in Asia. The label said Monobenzone Cream USP and then under that Benoquin. On the back of the tube it said it was manufactured by Mac Remedies PVT. LTD. There are some dates on the bottom of the tube that read 05-2-09. I'm guessing that means it either expired in May or February of last year. Anyway, I put it on a test spot on my leg and it smelled great and did not burn. However, when I put it on my face it tingled and then progressed to slight burning. I have been using it on my leg 2-3 times daily for two weeks and have noticed no adverse affects nor depigmentation on my leg. I didn't put it on my face again after the first try. summary: 20% from Mac remedies burned my face but not my leg. There was no discoloration or lightening associated with twice daily use for two weeks
Since the tube was really small and it took a long time to deliver, I looked for a vendor on a trade website. I ordered an 8 ounce jar of 40% monobenzone. The company claims to be US based but the product shipped from Israel. When I got it today, I put some on a test spot on my leg and a test spot on my chin. summary: so far no burning, itching, redness from 40% monobenzone on face and leg after one-time use. I sent an email to the makers of the 40% monobenzone and they stated that the reason their product did not burn is because they do not use solvents to break the mono down into their cream. I am not sure if I can state the name of the company, but the first name of the person I talked with signed her emails as "Kath"
I don't have a way to test monobenzone at home and I was wondering if burning or tingling is a common side effect of monobenzone or if the tingling I experienced from one vendor and not the other is indicative of defective product? No, I don't want to use a product that will burn my face off or anything I am just worried that if my skin had a slight reaction to a 20% concentration and not to a 40% concentration that maybe the 40% isn't real or something.
I found an additional vendor on the same trade website who appears to ship products from Ireland. They claim to have genuine monobenzone products, but their prices are significantly higher and I do not want to spend any more money unnecessarily. The first name of this vendor is Khan.
My questions in summary:
1. Is monobenzone supposed to burn or tingle more or less at certain concentrations? Is it possible to use a monobenzone cream at a high concentration say 40% or 60% and have it NOT burn or does the likelihood of a skin reaction increase with the concentration?
3. What is the reputation of vendors from Israel or Ireland? Does either source have a better reputation for sending out REAL monobenzone products?
4. I plan to use 40% monobenzone on a test area of my skin 2-3 times daily. How long will it take for me to see initial signs of depigmentation?
5. I have received conflicting information about the mechanism of depigmentation with monobenzone. I know that the result is total depigmentation for at least a temporary time. Does mono depigment gradually or randomly all at once? I have heard that it does both. If mono does not provide gradual depigmentation, how do the depigmented areas typically begin to appear? For example, does a user use it as prescribed for x amount of months with no depigmentation and then wake up one day with a white patch in the area of the treated skin?
DisclaimerI have decided to use monobenzone for personal reasons. I do not intend to elaborate on nor justify my reasons for use. I have been reading on this site and some others and I am fully aware of the many risks associated with its use. I have taken the risks into consideration and I have decided to use it anyway. I know that monobenzone is not highly regarded by many people and that many have oppositions to its use for any reason. My decision to use monobenzone means that I am aware of and have accepted that it may not depigment evenly and that I will have to deal with patchy skin for a period and that I may begin to develop repigmented areas resistant to monobenzone. With that said, I would greatly appreciate answers to my questions from individuals who have had personal experience (good, bad or ugly) with monobenzone. I know that everyone has first amendment rights etc but I ask that you refrain from only replying with warnings against me using monobenzone without answering my questions. I know it's a touchy subject and it is difficult for some not to give out warnings to never, ever use it, but all I really want are specific answers to my questions.
I have not posted the company names of the vendors I have been in contact with because I do not want to be accused of being a vendor or trying to advertise for anyone. I am not advocating that anyone buy from any vendor that I have mentioned because I am not even sure if the products I have purchased are real or contain any amount of monobenzone. For all I know, I could have purchased some really expensive Jergens lotion lol I hope that the countries of origin mentioned and my skin's reactions can give you enough info to tell me whether I am dealing with real product or scammy vendors. If I have not given enough info I am willing to tell the names of the vendors but please know that I am NOT trying to get you to buy from them and I have not seen any depigmentation from any of the products I have used thus far.
Thank you all in advance!
Is monobenzone ever supposed to burn? I ordered 2 20 gram tubes of 20% monobenzone from an online pharmacy that I think is based somewhere in Asia. The label said Monobenzone Cream USP and then under that Benoquin. On the back of the tube it said it was manufactured by Mac Remedies PVT. LTD. There are some dates on the bottom of the tube that read 05-2-09. I'm guessing that means it either expired in May or February of last year. Anyway, I put it on a test spot on my leg and it smelled great and did not burn. However, when I put it on my face it tingled and then progressed to slight burning. I have been using it on my leg 2-3 times daily for two weeks and have noticed no adverse affects nor depigmentation on my leg. I didn't put it on my face again after the first try. summary: 20% from Mac remedies burned my face but not my leg. There was no discoloration or lightening associated with twice daily use for two weeks
Since the tube was really small and it took a long time to deliver, I looked for a vendor on a trade website. I ordered an 8 ounce jar of 40% monobenzone. The company claims to be US based but the product shipped from Israel. When I got it today, I put some on a test spot on my leg and a test spot on my chin. summary: so far no burning, itching, redness from 40% monobenzone on face and leg after one-time use. I sent an email to the makers of the 40% monobenzone and they stated that the reason their product did not burn is because they do not use solvents to break the mono down into their cream. I am not sure if I can state the name of the company, but the first name of the person I talked with signed her emails as "Kath"
I don't have a way to test monobenzone at home and I was wondering if burning or tingling is a common side effect of monobenzone or if the tingling I experienced from one vendor and not the other is indicative of defective product? No, I don't want to use a product that will burn my face off or anything I am just worried that if my skin had a slight reaction to a 20% concentration and not to a 40% concentration that maybe the 40% isn't real or something.
I found an additional vendor on the same trade website who appears to ship products from Ireland. They claim to have genuine monobenzone products, but their prices are significantly higher and I do not want to spend any more money unnecessarily. The first name of this vendor is Khan.
My questions in summary:
1. Is monobenzone supposed to burn or tingle more or less at certain concentrations? Is it possible to use a monobenzone cream at a high concentration say 40% or 60% and have it NOT burn or does the likelihood of a skin reaction increase with the concentration?
3. What is the reputation of vendors from Israel or Ireland? Does either source have a better reputation for sending out REAL monobenzone products?
4. I plan to use 40% monobenzone on a test area of my skin 2-3 times daily. How long will it take for me to see initial signs of depigmentation?
5. I have received conflicting information about the mechanism of depigmentation with monobenzone. I know that the result is total depigmentation for at least a temporary time. Does mono depigment gradually or randomly all at once? I have heard that it does both. If mono does not provide gradual depigmentation, how do the depigmented areas typically begin to appear? For example, does a user use it as prescribed for x amount of months with no depigmentation and then wake up one day with a white patch in the area of the treated skin?
DisclaimerI have decided to use monobenzone for personal reasons. I do not intend to elaborate on nor justify my reasons for use. I have been reading on this site and some others and I am fully aware of the many risks associated with its use. I have taken the risks into consideration and I have decided to use it anyway. I know that monobenzone is not highly regarded by many people and that many have oppositions to its use for any reason. My decision to use monobenzone means that I am aware of and have accepted that it may not depigment evenly and that I will have to deal with patchy skin for a period and that I may begin to develop repigmented areas resistant to monobenzone. With that said, I would greatly appreciate answers to my questions from individuals who have had personal experience (good, bad or ugly) with monobenzone. I know that everyone has first amendment rights etc but I ask that you refrain from only replying with warnings against me using monobenzone without answering my questions. I know it's a touchy subject and it is difficult for some not to give out warnings to never, ever use it, but all I really want are specific answers to my questions.
I have not posted the company names of the vendors I have been in contact with because I do not want to be accused of being a vendor or trying to advertise for anyone. I am not advocating that anyone buy from any vendor that I have mentioned because I am not even sure if the products I have purchased are real or contain any amount of monobenzone. For all I know, I could have purchased some really expensive Jergens lotion lol I hope that the countries of origin mentioned and my skin's reactions can give you enough info to tell me whether I am dealing with real product or scammy vendors. If I have not given enough info I am willing to tell the names of the vendors but please know that I am NOT trying to get you to buy from them and I have not seen any depigmentation from any of the products I have used thus far.
Thank you all in advance!