Just got all my stuff together, was going to try the papaya lightening soap, tretinoin (I got .05 and .1 strength), and HQ 4%. I also got glycolic 35peel and bha+ peel. I haven't started using any of them yet but I would like your opinion on a few things. We spoke once before trying to figure out compounding . My emails >E-mail Removed< thanks

Hey, that's great you have all of oyur products to help with your lightening. It is best not to use too many exfoliators at once because you do not want any bad reactions and over-exfoliation. Hq can be used twice daily, tretinoin can be used one at night or everyother night.

For the peels, you can use first for the body (and allow your skin to heal) before using the hq/ra if you want to give you a boost on your lightening in order for it to penetrate into the skin better.

Retina/hq are srtong enough for the face, but if you also want to use the aha peels for the face you usually have to give your skin a few days or more of break from the retin-a to help avoid overexfoliating.

Having a good moisturizer like natural aloe vera gel, jergans, eucerin, almond oil, etc will help the skin's irritation and dryness.

Did you get a sunblock? Sunblock w/ spf 55 or higher used daily before you go outside will help you to maintain your results and protect your skin since it will become more sensitive due to the exfoliation and hq.

You may go through an ugly period before results are better, like me. The skin may peel a lot, redness, itchiness, dryness, some areas willl peel before others and the evening of the skin will take time. If you begin to be too irritated, then cut back on the use to give your skin time to adjust. Rinse with cool water and let the skin completely dry, about 10-20 min later then apply the tretinoin and hq.

Yea I started using the kojac papaya soap a week or two ago. Haven't noticed any drying or difference there yet. Figured id start with that before the hq and tretinoin so my skin would be more applicable to it. Haven't been able to get the soap to dry before washing it off because my house is so cold but I do scub it in pretty well then apply water to wash it off. I try to let it soak in for a min. my skin is very oily, and I get acne scars very easily. I'm prone to get acne on my chest and back, not bad but its regularly there. Then on my face near my temples is probably the worst spot, again it is regulalry there just not very bad. Kind of sucks. Lol I have quite the concoction of acne medicine. I use benzeclin after I shower which is when I get off work. Benzeclin works best for me in general to keep acne at bay. I have tazorac and finacea also. I use the tazorac when I can tell a spot is coming. And just keep using it in that spot. It seems to work all right, my skin doesn't dry for a few days from using it regularly. I should actually probably use it more. Then the finacea I use on past spots, where there is a dark mark or scar I guess you could say. I haven't noticed any significant changes from it. But my scars usually start to fade after 3 months. I guess what I'm getting at is when should I apply all this extra craplol. I have read that an gel solution works better for oily skin and creams work better for dry skin? The hq is a cream, then the tretinoin .05% is a gel, and the .1% tretinoin is a cream. Not sure about the oil one... it looks kind of like alcohol? Anyhow I would like to lighten my overall skin tone, so I don't want to just lighten my face. My arms and neck and face have a little tan. I guess those are the only areas I'm worried about. Should I only apply to those areas when I start? Or how do I get all my skin even? I guess this is a funny question but how am I sapose to apply this stuff everywhere everyday?I guess it seems kind of impossible. And should I apply enough to quench my skin where I can feel it(like generously applying lotion to dry skin), or just enough to barely get it on(like 3 pea sized drops for my whole arm)? As far as lotion I use vanicream theraplex hydrolotion. I like it a lot. I also use vanicream it's a little heavier, like for your legs or feet. I have vanicream 60spf sunscreen also. I have to admit I never use it though. I do go outside and stuff but I work third shift and I always avoid the sun as it is. I messed up and went fishing with my friend this summer, I tan really easy, that's how I got the farmers tan. I don't know what I was thinking, it was really dumb. I am going to be using the sunscreen every day when I get my hq tretinoin regiment started though. I was thinking maybe even getting a slightly higher spf. Should I apply sunscreen when I go to work? Its inside, artificial lights, not super bright but it is well light. I have read 8hrs artificial is like 5 min on the beach? And what about these products :Fair & White Exclusive Gel Crème Whitenizer (it contains Hq), & 55H+ CRISTALINE Strong Lightening Fine Glycerin? I figured since I had the actual hq and tretinoin cream I should be good? I guess I feel kind of overwhelmed with all this topical stuff ill have to be putting on everyday. Want to make sure I got it down before I get started. Here's my normal day and I guess what ill be doing: get off work at 6am, take shower its 7am, now I currently apply benzeclin on face back and chest, eat , go to the ymca and workout and hour or two its 10am(I know I probably should wait till after I workout to apply acne medicine but I like to apply it when I'm clean after I shower). Then I usually go home and go to bed... now for my routine that I want to start I plan to apply tretinoin before I got to bed. Question: will I have to take a 2nd shower after I workout before I apply tretinoin and get to go to bed? Usually I'm beat by this point. Keep in mind I will still have the benzeclin on from after my first shower. I know your skin is sapos to be clean when applying stuff but I don't really see it feasible to take 3 showers a day. Anyhow after I get done sleeping I plan to get up earlier before work (10pm) and apply hq. again will I have to shower before the hq? I may still have the tretinoin on from before I went to bed? Usually now I just take the one shower after work before I workout and go to bed. I don't really want to take another shower before work because I work in a factory and its dirty, hot, and there's dust so I don't want my pores all open. Taking a 2nd shower after my workout I guess would be do-able. Also I plan to apply sunscreen before I go workout with my benzeclin, and before work with my hq. do you think this routine will work? Should I change anything around as far as acne medicine and showering? Sorry for so many questions and the long novellol but I do appreciate your input. I already knew who I wanted to ask. I could probably send some pictures of my skin color now. Any other input is also appreciated thanks.

Well you have enough products to help you in your lightening and acne-free journey. While your waiting to begin lightening your face, you can begin to use the aha peels on your body and cover with sunblock before venturing out. Because the body takes longer to lighten compared to the face since the body's skin is thicker. You can also spot treat the acne spots and scars w/ the tret and hq so they'll have a head start and the skin can lighten more evenly at the same time. I also have acne prone skin and had a bad habit tampering with my skin when I saw a zit... which always makes things worse, so I haven't had any acne for the past several weeks due to the tretinoin. I use the tret 0.5% for most areas, 0.1% for my forehead because the spots were much worse there, both are gel and yes the gel skin products are better for acne-prone skin and crème based products for dry/more mature skin. But my hq is a crème, but it has been working well for my skin. So also start spot treating your temple areas as well.

when you begin using the tretinoin with or without your papaya soap, I really doubt you'll need to use your previous acne products since tretinoin is a treatment for acne and blemishes and is potent enough. But the tretinoin will bring the bacteria and toxins to the skin's surface because it cleanses the pores, so I had acne that lasted for a couple of weeks before my skin really cleared up. Be prepared for an ugly stage, but it will eventually improve dramatically. It also removed all of the acne spots that were on my cheeks and chin area. When applying lightener to your face, also apply to the ears, back of ears, and neck so it will look natural and not like your wearing a mask.

When I use the papaya kojic soap, I fanned my skin with a sheet of paper folded in half or something similar so that the suds will dry much quicker and I wouldn't have to wait to long. I also had a few acne spots on my chest area, so I applied the hq/tret to those areas and now they have all faded away and clear. Using this regimen will help your spots to lighten much faster than 3 months for the face. I have been spot treating my scars on my arms with the lactic acid 50% about every 3 days along w/ hq and my scars are beginning to fade, these are scars that I have had for several years and that nothing helped them to fade until now. And for my whole arm and hands I use the lactic every 4 days and my skin is much smoother, so I'll be applying lightener to them again. Scars may fade quickly or much more slowly depending how deep the scar tissue is. But yes, you can start lightening your arms, neck and hands now. I tried using the tret on my neck and I stopped because I believe it was too strong for my neck. I am lightening my face, neck, back of neck, ears and back of ears, arms, and hands now. When they have lightened significantly, I'll then add other parts of the body. You can lighten your whole body at once if you want, just that I didn't have the patience to that 2x daily. Continue to do this regularly and your skin will eventually become even.

No need to bathe and apply 3x a day, that is too much and you want the ingredients enough time to absorb into your skin before washing it off. 2x is enough, sometimes I used the hq/tret once a day because I have sensitive skin and will sometimes become too irritated. You do not have to use only a pea size of moisturizer lotion, you can use more after the hq/tret has absorbed in the skin and when your skin feels dry. It is more of a personal choice, you only need enough to coat the skin.

if your legs are going to be exposed to the sun, apply the vanicream 60spf sunscreen. Sometimes I use the neutrogena sunblock spray so that I can just spray it on instead of having to keep rubbing it in. yes, also apply sunblock/sunscreen when you go to work to the areas that will be exposed. I also always carry my sunblock with me at all times in case
I'll be out later and also I constantly wash my hands, so before going out, I reapply to my hands. Spf 60 is fine, I'm finishing up my spf 55 because I ran out of my spf 80. 50 or above of a good brand will get the job done well.

Don't worry about getting the Fair & White Exclusive Gel Crème Whitenizer or 55H+ CRISTALINE Strong Lightening Fine Glycerin, because the hq 4%, retina will do a great job on its own when used properly and diligently. For me the 55H+ was not potent enough and didn't lighten me as quickly as the hq/tret. But for some it worked really well. You don't even have to use the papaya kojic soap every day either, you can also just use your regular bathing soap for the body or gentle facial cleansing soap for the face.

Sometimes I rinse my face and earswith warm water, then with cool water to close the pores. Because for me sometimes the papaya soap is too strong for me to use 2x daily as my skin is sensitive. Don't use many products and my skin is lightening very well. This is what you can do, revise it if you like to fit your skin's needs:

Morning:
-bathe (exfoliating soap or regular cleansing soap), do not apply to private areas
-let skin completely dry and then apply the tretinoin
-few minutes later apply the hq.
-about 10-15 min lster apply sunblock at least 15 min before going out

Afternoon:
-After coming from the gym (if this is the timewhen you workout), wash off with regular soap, again reapply sunblock/sunscreen before heading out

Evening:
-before going to bed, wash with exfoliating soap to the areas you want lightened first, or just use your regular bathing soap
-let skin completely dry and then apply the tretinoin
-few minutes later apply the hq
-no need to apply sunblock

If your going to use your peels during this time, use only once weekly to parts of the body. No need to use this as well as the tretinoin at the same time because this will not be good for the skina and may make conditions worse. Give your skin a 48 hour or more break before applying the peels, if your using the tretinoin as well. Be sure to read the instructions carefully for clarity for best results. I even underlined the parts so that it is memorized and what I do not understand, I email the company(ies) for any questions I may have, this has helped me a lot.

Wow awsome thanks for answering all of my questions I know I was kind of all over the place. Your the best! That's a good idea to start with the peels. I got the bha+ and glycolic/35. How often and long do you think I should do the prelightening peel stage before I get into the routine of tretinoin/hq with peels every so often? Also when I apply hq&tretinoin I just need enough to coat the skin correct? About the same amount I would use for lotion? I was also wondering if I do decide to apply benzeclin or other acne products can I apply it at the same time as tretinoin/hq, or do I need to apply it only when I'm not using lightening products? I have benzoyl peroxide 9% pads I think I should avoid those all together just in case of staining with the hq? Well thanks for the help I plan on getting started with the peels this weekend just curious how have you progressed so far? I think I'm a red tone level 6, probably want to get to a red tone level 4...

I am still new to aha peels, so I intend to use the lactic for another week or 2 for the hands or arms, since they did not lighten at all while using the hq/tret for several weeks. Some people's skin may lighten quicker or slower than others. 2-4 weeks of use with peels should be enough, you should begin to see a difference in texture with your skin after the peels. The only glycolic I have used was a 10% crème which wasn't much compared to the higher concentrations and I know lactic is milder than the glycolic. After you do the peels and ready to lighten, be sure to give your skin a few days to a 1 week of rest so that it will not cause too much irritation.

Yes, with hq and tret you only need a little, if you use too much it may cause your skin to become very irritated eventually. You can use your benzeclin or other acne product before applying the hq (or any other lightening product). But if your going to use the tretinoin alongside the hq, best to hold off on the other acne products since tret is used as a medical acne treatment and you don't want to cause damage to your skin due to overkill. Just save the others that you have until your ready to switch.

When you begin using the peels, be sure to use a neutrolizer also to help neutralize the pH of your skin after the peel (baking soda mixed w/ cold water works well also). Ice pack also if needed, don't leave the peel on too long.

My skin has lightened around 3-3.5 shades, I didn't want to lighten too fast because I wanted to avoid possibly having a washed out bleached look, I wanted it to look natural. Skin is sometimes still red after I apply the hq/tret, but my skin is much more clearer and less marks. I have yellow undertones, originally around Toni Braxton and Angela Basset's shade. My goal is to reach Beyonce's or Sade's shade all over, so I hope to reach this by Feb. I have been taking pics of my progress, and I plan to post them once I reach my goal. I need to take another look at the color chart for reference of where I'm at.