Originally Posted by
kinekon18
most people say they want to whiten their skin, but then they say they only want to go a couple of shades?
it confuses me that if someone wanted to be "white" (or at least have the "white" appearance) they wouldn't look into using monobenzone or benoquin (diluted - to avoid vitiligo patches).
unlike hydroquinone, using the depigmenting creams won't have any adverse affects on your skin.
sure - you won't ever be able to tan and you'll need sunscreen anytime you go out, but if you didn't want skin damage even with melanin present you should apply sun protection as a habit.
i'm getting allot of PM's of people asking me the same thing over and over again - you can't stop once you reach your desired skintone, you have to keep using till you have completely depigmented - with the gradual lightening i'm experiencing it'll take longer, but i figure that to be a plus because i still look normal, much lighter than before "with" eventoned skin.
i won't know when i'm depigged completely because you can't tell just by looking at the skin, you have to use a woods light to make sure all underlying pigment has been removed, otherwise the areas that show that pigment remains (is still present on the sublevel) will repigment rapidly.
most people who genuinely suffer with vit "stop" using the cream once they turn white, then get confused that they experience repigmentation - their repigging isn't because the cream doesn't work, they repig because they didn't finish treatment
(which is understandable, benoquin and monobenzone are expensive and you may need to use the cream for years. when i say years people jump to the conclusion that they will have vit patches for that long. wrong.
years = the time it takes to get rid of the underlying pigment so you don't repig, for that timespan you'll have the appearance of white looking skin, but you won't be fully immune to repigging till you have finished your treatment with the cream).
i wouldn't advise anyone to use hydroquinone, it thins the skin - which means you'll be more prone to permanent scars on your skin as a result of pimples/spots etc or just general trauma.
opting to depig is scary, i was scared the first time i applied the lotion to my skin, but everything's been fine since i diluted it and i'm hoping to have the depigged look come the end of this year, then it'll just be maintenance - strict sun sense/avoidance and happy days for me.
it's a big step, it's a life changing step - i'm taking it and so far there have been no regrets, infact i doubt there ever will be. myself like most of you here wanted to lighten my skin - because i'm light already that would mean going very pale, there is no deciding factor as to how light you think you want to go, i know some people who have lightened various shades using "banned" substances (mercury etc), and despite being shades lighter they continue with their own treatment because they get sucked in - the lighter they get the better they feel they look, the lighter they want to go.
anyone serious about whitening their skin should really look into depigmenting, disregard the horror stories or warnings you get from people - fact is that monobenzone (generic) or benoquin (brand) depigs the skin, people with vitiligo have been using it for years with no ill effect - other than having very pale skin, but isn't that we all want?
i hope this covers most of the PM questions i've been getting, sorry for slacking and not PMing most of you back - but it get's tedious when people keep asking the same things over and over again. i end up feeling like a broken record and then people get sick of hearing it time and time again when i post to any board.
if anyone has Q's, please post to the board - it'll help in the long run, as whatever you may want to ask me there will be 10 more people wanting to ask the exact same thing, if i post the answer once i won't have to write it again.
sorry for the essay but i hope my knowledge of using the cream has enlightened you (lol), if you don't take my word for it you can research the sub as i did or join vitiligosupport (as a silent member) and read their posts, all the info is out there for you to make an informed decision about your skin.
whatever you want you can get, just don't destroy your skin or get ripped off in the pursuit for happiness....
peace out.
Kinny x
