[missteetee]

Thanks Missteetee for answering. Are you sure you only lightened only 2 shades in one year from using hq and mequinol 10% twice a day? I thought a person would be many shades lighter? I have been using hq 4% and tretinoin 0.05% for 2 weeks on my face and I have lightened 2 shades already, I'm still waiting for my arms and hands to lighten. What celebrity does your new shade look like?

Yes, only two shades. Some have told me that I look a lot lighter but to me it looks like I only lightened 2 shades. The HQ and tretinoin is not permanent. I used the maxi peel #3 and it use to get me really light in the past but it was never permanent, that's why I am using mequinol because it maintains my color. Maybe my mequinol is not being mixed correctly and that could be the reason why I'm getting 2 shades lighter. I also work a lot outside and this could be a reason why also.

[missteetee]

Thanks Missteetee for answering. Are you sure you only lightened only 2 shades in one year from using hq and mequinol 10% twice a day? I thought a person would be many shades lighter? I have been using hq 4% and tretinoin 0.05% for 2 weeks on my face and I have lightened 2 shades already, I'm still waiting for my arms and hands to lighten. What celebrity does your new shade look like?

I would say my color is now about Ciara's complexion.

[fairr]

missteetee do you not wear sunscreen maybe that's it?
And if you've been using the same hq maybe it has oxidised and become ineffective

[Golden_Girl]

I agree with Fairr. The minimal results may also be coming from not using a high spf sunscreen/sunblock of 60+ and also oxidized mequinol/hydroquinone can minimize the results. Missteetee are you alllowed to wear a fishing hat or some other type of hat that can also provide shading? Reaching Ciara's complexion is nice though, but then with these additional items and even reapplying sunblock while outside can help save money from the mequinol/hq by using it less.

Also, I wanted to know how do you know if your mequinol is permanent if your applying it twice daily. You would have to discontinue using it and see if you redarken to see if it is permanent, or you can try and maintain your results by using it 2-3 times weekly. How light do you want to get or have you reached your goal?

[missteetee]

I agree with Fairr. The minimal results may also be coming from not using a high spf sunscreen/sunblock of 60+ and also oxidized mequinol/hydroquinone can minimize the results. Missteetee are you alllowed to wear a fishing hat or some other type of hat that can also provide shading? Reaching Ciara's complexion is nice though, but then with these additional items and even reapplying sunblock while outside can help save money from the mequinol/hq by using it less.

Also, I wanted to know how do you know if your mequinol is permanent if your applying it twice daily. You would have to discontinue using it and see if you redarken to see if it is permanent, or you can try and maintain your results by using it 2-3 times weekly. How light do you want to get or have you reached your goal?

Yes, I can wear one. Its just me being careless and I don't use sunscreen at all but I am going to get some tomorrow. Maybe I should stop for a month to see if it is really permanent. I will finish up using it this month and when December gets here I will stop using it till maybe January. What product do you use to stop hydroquinone and mequinol from oxidizing? I am happy the complexion that I am but I want to maintain it. I don't want to get too light,lol. I can't be around her looking like little kim not to mention my family does not believe in skin bleaching.

[missteetee]

missteetee do you not wear sunscreen maybe that's it?
and if youve been using the same hq maybe it has oxidised and become ineffective

I don't use sunscreen. I figured since I am black I don't require sunscreen but its obvious that I am so wrong. Yeah I know its pretty silly not to wear sunscreen because I am black, but a lot of blacks don't use sunscreen. What do I use to stop HQ from oxidizing?

[Golden_Girl]

I used to think that too that I wouldn't need sunscreen. Although we have far less damage in comparison to very fair skin, it's very important to use especially when you are lightening so that you can keep most of your results. I remember when I found this out last year I was upset and really dissapointed, because I didn't feel like rubbing on sunblock daily. But, now I'm just use to it and it is a habit just like brushing teeth.

I haven't tried compounding my own hq or mequinol yet. But, I do know that hq can oxidize very quickly due it being an unstable chemical and can oxidize due to light, air, misformulations of hq, not having it placed in a non transparent tube or pump bottle, or the hq expiriring too quickly before use. I'm sure there maybe other reasons. What alcohol type are you melting your hq in? Dessaml knows more about hq and compounding.

[missteetee]

I used to think that too that I wouldn't need sunscreen. Although we have far less damage in comparison to very fair skin, it's very important to use especially when you are lightening so that you can keep most of your results. I remember when I found this out last year I was upset and really dissapointed, because I didn't feel like rubbing on sunblock daily. But, now I'm just use to it and it is a habit just like brushing teeth.

I havent tried compounding my own hq or mequinol yet. But, I do know that hq can oxidize very quickly due it being an unstable chemical and can oxidize due to light, air, misformulations of hq, not having it placed in a non transparent tube or pump bottle, or the hq expiriring too quickly before use. I'm sure there maybe other reasons. What alcohol type are you melting your hq in? Dessaml knows more about hq and compounding.

Yes I guess I will need to get into the habit of using sunscreen also. This has to be the reason why I have only lightened 2 shades. I am using 99% alcohol. I find that compounding my HQ is a lot cheaper than buying. I wonder if there is a product that you can use to stop HQ from oxidizing.