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-   -   This is how to mix a proper high percentage HQ cream or lotion! (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=350586)

  • May 6, 2009, 03:23 PM
    doloress
    This is how to mix a proper high percentage HQ cream or lotion!
    Hi everyone I Have been lurking around this site for quite sometimes but never registered. I was looking for tips on lightening and have read some crazy advices. I first have tried makari which broke me out in hives. Then I tried hypercreme which gave me stretch marks on my thighs and legs ( I think that sh*t had steroid in it, it lightened me like crazy but stretch marks were also the other prize). Anyway I then tried thienna's method and drank tonnes of MSM with no results. Then followed kojic acid which lightened me unevenly. So I finally decided to go the dark side and bought some hydroquinone cream. I bought obagi 4% which lightened me but stopped after a while. I was so tired of this results so I purchased some photographic grade hydroquinone powder. I study chemistry at university so I asked questions about HQ and what kind of product to best mix it with. I found out HQ powder is moderatly soluble in water and freely soluble in alcohol. But don't go rushing into your medical cabinet and grabbing medical grade alcohol. You will need for a 20% concentration:

    Dpg di propylene glycol: Used in skin care products, has a glycerin like consistence and a good carrier. You can buy it on eBay or Google it for about £15 or $22

    HQ powder I got 600 grams for about £30 or $45

    A good moisturizer: I use E 45 moisturizing lotion for face and body 500ml for £4.60 or $7. it is perfect because the bottle has a pump which stops the HQ from oxidising.

    And retin A gel or cream 0.1% I use the gel because it penetrates the skin better.

    So when you get all of these, buy some gloves, lab mixing spatula or get plastic spoons that you can throw away, mixing clear tub with a lid that is clear so you can see if there is any crystals that have not dissolve.

    First heat up some water in a pot you are not going to use for cooking, then pour about 25 to 30 ml of. The propylene glycol in the tub close it and put it in the pot and heat it until it goes from the glycerin like consistence to water like ( really fluid).

    Cool it for about 30 secs, then add the 10 grams of HQ powder rapidly so air doesn't get in it too much. Close the tub and let it in there for 5mins. It will dissolves slowly.

    After the 5 minutes, shake the tub rapidly, look if there is anymore crystals and let it sit if you observe any.

    After the crystals have dissolved pour about 50 to 75 ml of your lotion in little by little, mixing it with the propylene glycol. Then add about 10 grams of retin a. This is optional. I do not mix my retin a to the lotion because it irritates my neck and chest. So I put some lotion in my hand then add a pea size of retin a and mix them together when I apply it.

    Pour the solution in a opaque pump bottle so no light and air can get inside it.

    Now you are ready to use it.

    Happy lightening.:D

    Ps: for those of you have been dissolving your HQ in water, it will probably not dissolve and will oxidise straight away. And I have read about others who received brown HQ creams, People trust me this has long oxidised and will hardly be effective.
  • May 6, 2009, 04:08 PM
    doloress
    I forgot to add I have been using this for 3 weeks and have gone up about 3 shades on my face and 1.5 shade for my body although my back and stomach are still so stubborn and are lightening slowly. Your skin is going to peel a lot because of the retin a and reveal light pathes of skin. It happened mainly on my thighs and upper arms but it all blends in after a while. The retin a is used to allow an even penetration of the product therefore your lighten skin will be even.:)
  • May 6, 2009, 05:05 PM
    wannabelight
    Hi Doloress, this sounds very interesting, I want to try it but where did u get the hq? I am from the uk.
  • May 6, 2009, 11:33 PM
    krazycee07

    So what kind of alcohol did you use?
  • May 6, 2009, 11:40 PM
    krazycee07
    And you also didn't let us know how to mix it with everything and how much to use!!
  • May 9, 2009, 11:10 AM
    wannabwhite

    Where is dolores, I have other questions too... hehe
  • May 10, 2009, 07:37 PM
    doloress
    Hiya wannabe I have been so busy. What would you like to know? I will be glad to answer :)
  • May 10, 2009, 11:52 PM
    wannabwhite

    It's OK dolores... I have a lot of questions, and I'm sorry in advance for asking you all these questions. But here it goes... so I was wondering 1. where did you purchase the hq powder and other materials for the cream, you can even pm if you like... 2. do you have to heat up the water to a certain degree or when we feel like it can be dissolable? We heat up the water in like a regular pan or something and then put the bottle that we are going to make the cream in inside the hot water, right? Can we use any type of lotion or should we use a specific one? I also wanted to add vitamin c and e into my hydroquinone cream to get a better affect, do you know if that would be OK to do? If so, when do you think I should add them to the mix? I also read somewhere that cetyl alcohol should be used to dissolve the hq, would that work, or have you ever tried it? Another thing I was wondering was, what strength of hq would the mix you listed above create? Will it be like a 10%, 20% etc... I know I have lots of questions and they might be stupid, but I want to make sure I have everything clear before I make my own mix.
  • May 11, 2009, 03:36 PM
    jojo9090

    Anyone used hydroquinone liquid rather than powder, or anyone know where I can get some powder in the UK?
  • May 18, 2009, 11:34 AM
    doloress

    Hiya wannabewhite I am really sorry I haven't reply to your question. Ihave not been well and was at the A&E after falling sick.
    I am also from the UK and if you send me your email I can PM the photographic website as soon as possible. I have never used cetyl alcohol but you can try and tell me the results. I used about 25 to 30 ml of Propylene Glycol.
    1. I first boil water in a regular pan and then pour propylene glycol in a clear jar that I then place in the water. When the water has boiled, I take out the jar and let it sit for about 30 secs max and add my 10 grams HQ powder in it. Mix it using a spoon. There will still be a few Crystals that have not dissolve; let it sit and then look if they have dissolved, if not shake the jar vigourously and try to grind the crystals left with your spoon by pressing it against the jar walls. Once they are all gone, Add any cream you prefer I use E45 but you can use Eucerin and so on, and then mix it altogether. You can add vit e and vit c but I really don't know the effect of that as I have never tried that before.
    This is to make a 20% solution.
    If you are still not clear do not hesitate. I also use retin A 0.1%. It is so hard to find anything in this country like HQ powder and retin A but I did I if you would like to know just ask the retin a is shipped from the US and I have to wait for around 1.5 week to 2 weeks but its worth it.
  • May 18, 2009, 10:40 PM
    wannabwhite

    Hey dolores if I pour propylene glycol in clear jar, and then later on add hq to it, wouldn't the hq oxidize from the clear jar, or oxidize when we are mixing it because there's no lid on the jar at that time?
  • May 19, 2009, 05:15 AM
    doloress

    The clear jar I use has a lid on it and I placed the jar in a brown paper bag when I mixed it with the HQ powder. I mix the 2 rapidly so the minimum air enter it, then I place the closed jar in the paper bag in a closet to shelter it from light. My cream does not turn brown at all. I avoid making big batches because after about 2 weeks it starts turning slightly brown so I make a jar that will last for about 1 tp 1.5week.
  • May 19, 2009, 08:38 AM
    lighterrr

    Thanks for the advice now that I'm in africa I have to be mixing my own 20%, I do it a little differently though, I also put lemon in my mix so I can get an instant peel
  • May 19, 2009, 11:22 AM
    doloress

    Hi lighter, with the retin A gel I use, I got a lot of peeling and no irritation. I have used lemon before but it irritated my skin and made scrath like crazy. You are so lucky I wished I could visit africa. Have a nice time!
  • May 19, 2009, 11:25 AM
    doloress
    Sorry lighter but do you mind sharing how you do your mix. It is interesting to see other people method and how are your results?
  • May 19, 2009, 11:27 AM
    wannabwhite

    So lighterrr you make your own mix to? I thot you always purchased from the .net people... girl I guess your lucky because you had good results with their products, because I sure haven't... I tried to be patient and apply it throughout the day, but there are hecka other people who are on the same boat as me... I wish I was as lucky as you, because I hate wasting my hard earned money! Hey if you don't mind is there any way you can pm me your before and after pics... I would love to see your results...
  • May 19, 2009, 11:29 AM
    wannabwhite
    Thanks dolores for helping me out, now all I need to do is figure out where to get good hq powder from and then ill mix it at home too.. can you private messege me with that info if you don't mind... I sent you a pm last night, I don't know if you got it yet...
  • May 19, 2009, 07:07 PM
    krazycee07

    doloress the propylene glycol I bought wasn't glycerin like its already water like, is that normal? And also you said you don't make a lot, enuf to last like a week and a half, so actuaully how may ounces do you make at a time?
  • May 20, 2009, 04:55 AM
    doloress
    Hi wannabewhite I have pm the website for the HQ powder.
    Krazycee, the propylene lglycol I use like I said in my very first post is dpg gi propylene glycol because that is the kind used in cosmetic. Did you first check if the propylene glycol you bought could be used in skincare products? There are many kind of propylene glycol and it is important to buy the right one. Please check with the person you bought it from to avoid any kind of trouble with your skin. I make 100 ml of the cream that can last a week so I know for sure that it won't oxidise.
  • May 20, 2009, 10:46 AM
    lighterrr
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wannabwhite View Post
    so lighterrr u make ur own mix to? i thot u always purchased from the .net people... girl i guess ur lucky because u had good results with their products, because i sure haven't.... i tried to be patient and apply it throughtout the day, but there are hecka other people who are on the same boat as me... i wish i was as lucky as you, because i hate wasting my hard earned money! hey if you don't mind is there any way u can pm me ur before and after pics... i would love to see ur results...

    Hi want to be
    Yes I am in africa right now that's whyy I don't post that much anymore internet over here is very challenging anyway here is my recipe

    Pure 99% hq powder, rubbing alcohol, lemon, and cream of my choice, but I really wwant to stop using hq soon thought I think its to dangerous healthwise and I am now realizing that I have a son that I want to be around to see for some time:)
  • May 20, 2009, 11:03 AM
    wannabwhite

    I know well if your at your desired color than it would be good for you to move to natural products... I think the injections are not as bad, because glutathione is suppose to be good for you... thanks for your recipe. Did you get the powder from them as well, or you got it from somewhere else.
  • May 20, 2009, 11:31 AM
    lighterrr
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wannabwhite View Post
    i know well if ur at ur desired color than it would be good for u to move to natural products... i think the injections are not as bad, because glutathione is suppose to be good for you... thanks for ur recipe. did u get the powder from them as well, or u got it from somewhere else.

    Yeah I got my hq usp from them also, its already processed for cosmetic usage, I am not sure about the photo grade hq though, I have not tried that
  • May 20, 2009, 12:37 PM
    sweetchica21
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by doloress View Post
    Hi everyone i Have been lurking around this site for quite sometimes but never registered. I was looking for tips on lightening and have read some crazy advices. I first have tried makari which broke me out in hives. Then i tried hypercreme which gave me stretch marks on my thighs and legs ( i think that sh*t had steroid in it, it lightened me like crazy but stretch marks were also the other prize). Anyway i then tried thienna's method and drank tonnes of MSM with no results. Then followed kojic acid which lightened me unevenly. So i finally decided to go the dark side and bought some hydroquinone cream. I bought obagi 4% which lightened me but stopped after a while. I was so tired of this results so i purchased some photographic grade hydroquinone powder. I study chemistry at university so i asked questions about HQ and what kind of product to best mix it with. I found out HQ powder is moderatly soluble in water and freely soluble in alcohol. But don't go rushing into your medical cabinet and grabbing medical grade alcohol. you will need for a 20% concentration:

    dpg di propylene glycol: Used in skin care products, has a glycerin like consistence and a good carrier. you can buy it on ebay or google it for about £15 or $22

    HQ powder I got 600 grams for about £30 or $45

    A good moisturizer: i use E 45 moisturizing lotion for face and body 500ml for £4.60 or $7. it is perfect because the bottle has a pump which stops the HQ from oxidising.

    And retin A gel or cream 0.1% i use the gel because it penetrates the skin better.

    So when you get all of these, buy some gloves, lab mixing spatula or get plastic spoons that you can throw away, mixing clear tub with a lid that is clear so you can see if there is any crystals that have not dissolve.

    First heat up some water in a pot you are not going to use for cooking, then pour about 25 to 30 ml of. the propylene glycol in the tub close it and put it in the pot and heat it until it goes from the glycerin like consistence to water like ( really fluid).

    cool it for about 30 secs, then add the 10 grams of HQ powder rapidly so air doesnt get in it too much. Close the tub and let it in there for 5mins. it will dissolves slowly.

    After the 5 mins, shake the tub rapidly, look if there is anymore crystals and let it sit if you observe any.

    After the crystals have dissolved pour about 50 to 75 ml of your lotion in little by little, mixing it with the propylene glycol. then add about 10 grams of retin a. This is optional. I do not mix my retin a to the lotion because it irritates my neck and chest. so i put some lotion in my hand then add a pea size of retin a and mix them together when i apply it.

    Pour the solution in a opaque pump bottle so no light and air can get inside it.

    Now you are ready to use it.

    Happy lightening.:D

    Ps: for those of you have been dissolving your HQ in water, it will probably not dissolve and will oxidise straight away. And i have read about others who received brown HQ creams, People trust me this has long oxidised and will hardly be effective.

    How many shades so far have u lightened with this mix?
  • May 20, 2009, 05:36 PM
    krazycee07

    doloress I looked at the site where I bought the propylene glycol from and it states its used for cosmetic purposes anyway, I mix me up a batch 2 day I made a 7 oz. batch, so basically I double the ingredients, anyway when I mix the hq in the propylene glycol it turn brown, is that normal? But when I mix the lotion with it it wasn't brown. As long as the lotion isn't brown right?
  • May 21, 2009, 01:36 AM
    lighterrr
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by krazycee07 View Post
    doloress i looked at the site where i bought the propylene glycol from and it states its used for cosmetic purposes anyway, i mix me up a batch 2 day i made a 7 oz. batch, so basically i double the ingredients, anywho when i mix the hq in the propylene glycol it turn brown, is that normal? but when i mix the lotion with it it wasn't brown. as long as the lotion isnt brown right?

    HQ will always turn BROWN when exposed to air, kind of like the toilet water you communted on earlier,:eek: but ohhh well, that's in the past, but give it a try hq works great in lightening
  • May 21, 2009, 02:51 AM
    mj2006
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by lighterrr View Post
    HQ will always turn BROWN when exposed to air, kinda like the toilet water you communted on earlier,:eek: but ohhh well, thats in the past, but give it a try hq works great in lightening


    Is it just HQ that goes brown when exposed to air or mono too?
    Because I used to use the mono from eBay, you know the 3 % one, and it all went brown when exposed to air! So maybe they were just using HQ and not mono?
  • May 21, 2009, 03:08 AM
    lighterrr
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mj2006 View Post
    is it just HQ that goes brown when exposed to air or mono too?
    Because i used to use the mono from ebay, you know the 3 % one, and it all went brown when exposed to air! So maybe they were just using HQ and not mono?

    I believe they both turn brown, hq quicker than mono, cause I had some old mono that also turned brown on me after some time
  • May 21, 2009, 03:12 AM
    mj2006
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by lighterrr View Post
    i beleive they both turn brown, hq quicker than mono, cause i had some old mono that also turned brown on me after some time

    Oh OK thanks for info..
    At the moment I'm using what I thought to be old mono, but it hasn't turned brown at all so I'm thinking it may be mercury or something else.. whatever it is, its working well, but I will definitely be stopping if I find out its something other than mono...
  • May 21, 2009, 05:10 AM
    lighterrr
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mj2006 View Post
    oh ok thanks for info..
    At the moment im using what i thought to be old mono, but it hasnt turned brown at all so im thinking it may be mercury or something else.. whatever it is, its working well, but i will definitely be stopping if i find out its something other than mono...

    Well I am trying to waen off mono, hq etc, I got this new retina 10% its suppose to be super strong, I am going to start trying it with my pills,soap and injections to see if ill be able to maintain on this regimn. That's as natural as I can get for now:D
  • May 21, 2009, 06:14 AM
    doloress

    Hi krazycee,
    If it turns slightly brown is because it has been exposed to air a little mine did that the first time but after I poured my lotion in it it was white so I didn't reallyworry abut that and it worked great. Hi sweetchica I think I have lightened about 5 shades. My brothers call me Michael jackson lol even though I am not like him.
  • May 21, 2009, 01:42 PM
    krazycee07
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by doloress View Post
    Hi krazycee,
    if it turns slightly brown is because it has been exposed to air a little mine did that the first time but after i poured my lotion in it it was white so i didnt reallyworry abut that and it worked great. hi sweetchica i think i have lightened about 5 shades. my brothers call me Micheal jackson lol eventhough i am not like him.


    Oh OK then, I was a bit worried at first, but now that I know that's normal I'm going to use it and see what happens, hopefully it works!
  • May 21, 2009, 03:26 PM
    jojo9090

    Will rubbing alcohol work for this? Thanks
  • May 21, 2009, 10:06 PM
    wannabwhite

    I am so happy that the homemade hydroquinone cream is working for you! I will get started on making mine, but I want to make sure I get all the right products before I start... I would hate to be dissapointed again...
  • May 22, 2009, 12:44 AM
    wannabwhite

    Hey does anyone know whre to buy dpg dipropylene glycol in US stores? I don't want to get it online because of the shipping fee and the time it takes for them to ship out...
  • Jul 19, 2009, 03:06 PM
    choc-lit

    Hi doloress, I live in london and would love to try "your cream" lol. I am new to this site so I haven't worked out how to pm anyone. Please email me. I am on hotmail.co.uk and my email is debzakaloud@ please don't laugh guys, I was 13 when I made the email lol. Please please email me where I can get everything. Thank you
  • Jan 17, 2010, 07:26 AM
    skated

    Hello
    doloress I am planning to use e45 lotion with mequinol instead of the HQ powder.Do u think I will be fine?u said you had stretch marks have they faded as you have been using the cream? I used to use tenovate and HQ and it gave me stretch marks all over my arms and shoulder which I can't get rid of and the look worse because I have put on weight any recommendations on hat to do?I will appreciate your help. Thanks
  • Jan 17, 2010, 05:48 PM
    Golden_Girl
    Oh wow, I never noticed this thread was here Doloress. Thanks for this.


    Skated, you may want to take a look at these articles on how to improve your stretchmarks:
    http://www.iloveindia.com/home-remed...tch-marks.html

    http://www.docshop.com/education/der...-mark-removal/

    http://www.stretchmarkcure.com/
  • Jan 22, 2010, 11:55 AM
    ncimfabulous

    Thank you for the information I know this will be a lot more cost effective for people especially me. Now if I can just find out where to get the hq powder. How long are you guys going to lighten using hq before you stop? Or what's a safe time?
  • Jan 22, 2010, 01:09 PM
    SouthAfricacute

    May I ask is it safe to use such a high percentage of HQ? And is it legal to get photo grade HQ and use it cosmetically just asking? And has it worked well have you achieved even results all over you body? And in the past when I did use HQ I would get darker if I stopped so what happens when I no longer can get such a high percentage? Would I get darker or?
    Thanks
  • Jan 22, 2010, 01:37 PM
    ncimfabulous
    Ok so for everyone in the USA who is using our measurement system. I spent all day trying to convert the measurements WHEEWWWW SUCCESS. So here we go:
    20% HQ mixing instructions

    Propylene glycol 30 ml=2 tablespoons
    HQ 10 grams=2 teaspooons (roughly)
    Lotion 75ml=5 tablespoons
    Retin A 10 grams=2 teaspoons (roughly)

    K I hope this helps, feel free to change or add anything, also I heard that some people are adding about 5g/1 teaspoon of asorbic acid aka vitamin c powder to help perserve it, has anybody done this?

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