You... I have been giving my skin bleaching a major break while using neutrogenas visibly even and proactiv to do some damage control (getting rid of the small dark spots acne left behind thanks to BC ) before I go about bleaching with my 55+H, which I have been staring at in my bathroom for the past week now.:mad:.. Yet I am steadily gettiing darker and Im almost at my starting point and you it is soooooooo painful for me right now... I know this is a skin lightening thread and Im not exactly talking ab solutions, but I HAD to vent... Im hurting like hell right now... I took a picture with some friends at a festival today (under a flash mind you) at my school and my face was soooo dark in the foto... I guess I hadn't realized how dark I had gotten, and it wasn't until I saw that pitcure that it all came crashing down on me... It hurt sooo bad you guys... I just felt like all of my hard work, researching, all of it had gone down the drain... Now many of you are saying.. then just start back then! Well, I don't want light skin and terrible acne marks, I want light bright clear skin and I know its possible... I just wish there was a cream that got rid of acne marks and lightened the skin as a whole... not just making the skin around the acne marks lighter... Sooo that's my vent.. I figured if I were going to vent, it ought to be in a place with others who may have or are currently going through the same thing.

afro13queen many of us know the stress with the skin redarkening after lightening, it can be a yo-yo effect. But try not to get depressed about it. Because this is all temporary and many of us are bound to redarken even a little someday. I myself am back to the beginning and it is aggravating, but I'm working towards it again and trying to see it as part of the process. So just try to stay focused and not stress yourself out too much. Are you exfoliating as well and using sunblock with high spf?

**(hugs)** yes, I agree w gg... please keep with the sunblock, exfoliation and restoring the health of your skin. Is it possible for you to see a dermadoc or aesthetician?

I guess you could say Im exfoliating. My Proactiv has a cleanser that has beads in it and my Neutrogena Visibly Even also has beads in it too. The Visibly Even has a moisturiser with helioplex but I'm not sure the spf.. ill have to check...

But thank you guys so much for the kind words...

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Originally Posted by EggoMini

**(hugs)** yes, i agree w gg...please keep with the sunblock, exfoliation and restoring the health of your skin. Is it possible for you to see a dermadoc or aesthetician?

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So are these the equivalent of dermatologists? Because if so, Ive been to ab 3 dermatologists, alll of who were white and totally oblivious to what I was trying to imply ab my skin color... It was hard to even imply it.. :confused:

Maybe you'd have better luck with a brown doctor? I'm not sure where you are but the minority associations sometimes have professional directories.

Another choice would be a spa that specializes in POC (people of color).

I've gone up to 60+ sunblock and hats. Also on Skin Care Talk they talk about how some sunscreens are more effective @ preventing darkening, freckles etc.

EUEROPEAN sunblock... - Skin Care Talk

Do you avoid sun exposure? - Skin Care Talk

Moisturizer or sunblock first? - Skin Care Talk

Have you tried a chemical peel to speed up the process?

@divaforlyfe

Never tried a chemical peel. Im afraid to use something Ive always thought of as really strong. Can someone explain to me in their own experiences exactly what a chemical peel does to brown skin?

@ Eggo

Im thinking I would have better luck with a brown doctor too, but Im also afraid that they would look down on me for asking to be lighter.. ya know?

I got a chemical peel from the derma. And paid like 300 dollars to clear the black spots on my face, and sun damage, then I figured out how to do it myself, you can go online and find what kind fits you best. For black skin the lactic acid,jessner or tca is the best, but I would'nt use the TCA if it's your first time. You can do a body peel as well,it really helps with the lightening process, it peels the superficial layers of the skin to bring new skin to the forefront, warning use the weakess strength (depending on you skin) first then work your way up. You will peel so it's best to do it on your down time. I have sun damage and chemical damage on my arms from using bio claire so I plain on doing a TCA during thankgiving, P.M. me if you want more info there is too much to explain.

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Originally Posted by divaforlyfe

I got a chemical peel from the derma. and paid like 300 dollars to clear the black spots on my face, and sun damage, then i figured out how to do it myself, you can go online and find what kind fits you best. For black skin the lactic acid,jessner or tca is the best, but I would'nt use the TCA if it's your first time. You can do a body peel as well,it really helps with the lightening process, it peels the superficial layers of the skin to bring new skin to the forefront, warning use the weakess strenght (depending on you skin) first then work your way up. You will peel so it's best to do it on your down time. I have sun damage and chemical damage on my arms from using bio claire so I plain on doing a TCA during thankgiving, P.M. me if you want more info there is too much to explain.

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Diva what do you use for a body peel, how often, and how soon does it take to see results? So, the lactic acid really helped lighten the spots on your face?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by divaforlyfe

I got a chemical peel from the derma. and paid like 300 dollars to clear the black spots on my face, and sun damage, then i figured out how to do it myself, you can go online and find what kind fits you best. For black skin the lactic acid,jessner or tca is the best, but I would'nt use the TCA if it's your first time. You can do a body peel as well,it really helps with the lightening process, it peels the superficial layers of the skin to bring new skin to the forefront, warning use the weakess strenght (depending on you skin) first then work your way up. You will peel so it's best to do it on your down time. I have sun damage and chemical damage on my arms from using bio claire so I plain on doing a TCA during thankgiving, P.M. me if you want more info there is too much to explain.

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I've been reading good things about lactic! I'm finding the TCA 20% a bit scary. I don't have the guts to apply it anywhere that I can't cover with clothes. I put some on my outer arms the other day and they look like

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dzPvqLeSaz...ie+chicken.jpg

It's finally starting to peel a little but I still can't tell if it was a good thing or not. It's so weird because my hands, feet tops and knees didn't have the same reaction.

A bit off topic but I just wanted to say that roasted chicken & potatoes looks real good right now... lol

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Originally Posted by afro13queen

@ Eggo

Im thinking I would have better luck with a brown doctor too, but Im also afraid that they would look down on me for asking to be lighter..ya know?

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Maybe an Indian or Filipino doc might be less judgmental than an African American?

Eta: Have you tried the HQ & Retin-A regimen yet?

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Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

a bit off topic but i just wanted to say that roasted chicken & potatoes looks real good right now...lol

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:p:D:D:D:D

? I didn't come to this forum to get hungry. :( ugh that food looks soooo good right now

Quote:

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Originally Posted by afro13queen

Yall...I have been giving my skin bleaching a major break while using neutrogenas visibly even and proactiv to do some damage control (getting rid of the small dark spots acne left behind thanks to BC ) before I go about bleaching with my 55+H, which I have been staring at in my bathroom for the past week now.:mad:..Yet I am steadily gettiing darker and Im almost at my starting point and yall it is soooooooo painful for me right now...I know this is a skin lightening thread and Im not exactly talking ab solutions, but I HAD to vent...Im hurting like hell right now...I took a picture with some friends at a festival today (under a flash mind you) at my school and my face was soooo dark in the foto...I guess I hadnt realized how dark I had gotten, and it wasnt until I saw that pitcure that it all came crashing down on me....It hurt sooo bad you guys...I just felt like all of my hard work, researching, all of it had gone down the drain...Now many of you are saying..then just start back then! Well, I dont want light skin and terrible acne marks, I want light bright clear skin and I know its possible....I just wish there was a cream that got rid of acne marks and lightened the skin as a whole....not just making the skin around the acne marks lighter....Sooo thats my vent..I figured if I were gonna vent, it ought to be in a place with others who may have or are currently going through the same thing.

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Wow sorry to hear about what your going through.. why don't u try hq and retin a? I've been using fair and white and retin a for the past week and my face has lightened three shades. My acne marks are getting lighter because of the retin a. try it and also get a vitamin c and vitamnin e and alpha hydroxy cream. The one I use is called about time.. mixed with a lightening agent, it works fast in helping to clear black spots. Also use a vitamin c facial toner or serum. There's one by organics which I love and u'll see a huge improvement on your face in a month. Wuteva you try, good luck and keep us updated.

That's what I will have to eventually get, a potent vitamin C serum or toner for the face. Right now I'm taking the liquid vitamin c 1,000mg a day... may up the dose in a couple of months.

Golden Girl do you think it would be risky to take the vitamin c pills while I'm still taking the fish oil

I'm not sure. You can try asking a med site if it is safe to use the two together and at what dosage?

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Originally Posted by BrownDeceit

Golden Girl do you think it would be risky to take the vitamin c pills while I'm still taking the fish oil

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MY mother and I have been taking Vitamin C and Fish Oil simultaneously for a long time and my mom doesn't age and I have never heard of there being any negative side effects with taking these two supplements at the same time; they each have different benefits that our body needs.

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Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

That's what I wil have to eventually get, a potent vitamin C serum or toner for the face. Right now I'm taking the liquid vitamin c 1,000mg a day...may up the dose in a couple of months.

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I got a free l-ascorbic acid (vitamin c) serum with my glycolic acid purchase and I plan to start using tonight. I willl let you know how it goes. The instructions say to use within 45 days from when it is open because it is unstable, so hopefully that means it is potent initially.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EggoMini

Maybe an Indian or Filipino doc might be less judgmental than an African American?

eta: Have you tried the HQ & Retin-A regimen yet?

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No I have not. Ive read MANY things on it already thouugh... You think I should try it out?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sagluva

wow sorry to hear about wut ur going through.. why dont u try hq and retin a? i've been using fair and white and retin a for the past week and my face has lightened three shades. my acne marks are getting lighter coz of the retin a. try it and also get a vitamin c and vitamnin e and alpha hydroxy cream. The one i use is called about time.. mixed with a lightening agent, it works fast in helping to clear black spots. also use a vitamin c facial toner or serum. Theres one by organics which i love and u'll see a huge improvement on ur face in a month. Wuteva u try, good luck and keep us updated.

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Im hearing more and more ab Retin A... Id be a fool to ignore it! What fair and white product are u using? I have some old fair and White exclusive gel in my cabinet, I haven't used. Are there any vitamain C facial toners I can buy at a drug store? Or walmart? Im guessing Retin A is available online right? Im going to check my cabinets and see if my old dermatologist prescribed me something with Retin A... Thank you so much for the reply! Greatly appreciated!

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Originally Posted by Itss A New Day

I got a free l-ascorbic acid (vitamin c) serum with my glycolic acid purchase and I plan to start using tonight. I willl let you know how it goes. The instructions say to use within 45 days from when it is open because it is unstable, so hopefully that means it is potent initially.

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NewDay where did you get your glycolic acid and vitamin c serum from? And what strength of gly do you use?

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Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

NewDay where did you get your glycolic acid and vitamin c serum from? and what strength of gly do you use?

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Hi Golden I got it from an eBay seller. It is 50% strength. The auction said I'd get a free vitamin C moisturizer (but I think it was a typo because none of his other auctions include it anymore). The vitamin C serum is 20%. I used the serum last night and saw a difference in my face today. The serum is supposed to stay in your system for up to 72 hours. My seller was skinbeautysolutions, but there are tons of glycolic acid on eBay, and I am pretty sure you can get a better one because this one doesn't seem too strong to me because I'm not even peeling, so I'll try a second application in a few days. If you go with an ascorbic acid serum make sure to find out if it has oxidized yet because if it is oxidizing it will have a yellowish tint (but it can also oxidize and still be clear during the initial stage of oxidation), and do not buy vitamin c serums that are not clear because then it hard to tell when it is oxidizing. Hope this helps!

Thanks NewDay. After you applied the vit. C serum and you noticed a difference, what kind of difference did you see?

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Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

Thanks NewDay. After you applied the vit. c serum and you noticed a difference, what kind of difference did you see?

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I saw a small light patch below my eye that wasn't there before lol. The skin below my eye is very thin and lightens easily, and vitamin c serums are good for hyperpigmentation. But it was a slight difference and I have not been applying any products under my eye but last night I applied the serum under my eye not thinking. And my skin looked to be glowing today. I think everyone should use real vitamin c serums anyway as they regenerate collagen and protect against free radicals anyway. Can't beat that lol.

So true. I will have to eventually get a real good quality one sooner or later.

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Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

so true. I will have to eventually get a real good quality one sooner or later.

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Ok update Golden: Just got out the shower and I did start to peel a bit where I applied the peel from yesterday. I don't have any obvious flaking though. I guess it took a good scrub to get off the excess skin :)

That's great NewDay that your peeling now. OK, keep us updated.

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Originally Posted by afro13queen

Im hearing more and more ab Retin A...Id be a fool to ignore it! What fair and white product are u using? I have some old fair and White exclusive gel in my cabinet, I havent used. Are there any vitamain C facial toners I can buy at a drug store? or walmart? Im guessing Retin A is available online right? Im going to check my cabinets and see if my old dermatologist prescribed me something with Retin A...Thank you so much for the reply! Greatly appreciated!

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Yea I just heard about retin a myself when I came on this board. I ordered mine from alldaychemist.com. Their products are very cheap like $2.00 for a tube of retin a and 4%hq. shipping is 25 dollars regardless of how much you order so its best to stock up. I use the exclusive fair and white whitenizer gel and serum. I realised that fiar and white lightened me a lot but it did not get rid of my dark spots so I am using it with retin a which is lightening my dark spots because of the peeling. I got my vitamin c toner and serum for a grocery store. The one I got is by organics. Very good. If u mix the fair and white gel with some hq and retin a, and use a vitamin c toner and serum u'll get great results fast. At least it works for me.. keep us updated on what you decide to use.:)

I feel you.. I'm going through the acne thing.. harsh.. and I've always had very clear skin... and people are noticing the acne big time... one day it looked like I had the pox.. lol... I have been using retin a... the tretinoin at 0.1 % gel and it burns and it peels the skin but it does help clear you up.. now granted I have heard that it makes it worse before it makes it better but I have seen an improvement in just a few days of the retin A with my acne.. granted, I'm not beauty pageant ready with the peeling, but hey I got to get rid of this acne... lol.. try it... it may work for you

Ok you are SERIOUSLY bringing out the product junkie in me! I bought some Perfect C Vitamin C Super Antioxident from Walgreens. Retin A is next on the list... I also bought some Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2 in 1 Fight and Fade gel.. It has AHA in it... After the Retin A, I swear I won't buy ANYTHING ELSE!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sagluva

Yea i just heard about retin a myself when i came on this board. I ordered mine from alldaychemist.com. their products are very cheap like $2.00 for a tube of retin a and 4%hq. shipping is 25 dollars regardless of how much u order so its best to stock up. i use the exclusive fair and white whitenizer gel and serum. I realised that fiar and white lightened me alot but it did not get rid of my dark spots so i am using it with retin a which is lightening my dark spots coz of the peeling. I got my vitamin c toner and serum for a grocery store. The one i got is by organics. very good. If u mix the fair and white gel with some hq and retin a, and use a vitamin c toner and serum u'll get great results fast. atleast it works for me.. keep us updated on wut u decide to use.:)

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I went to the website for the Retin A (alldaychemist.com) and Im not sure what percentage to use...

The choices:

a.)Retin A 0.1 gel

b.) Retin A 0.05

c.) retin A 0.25mg

d.) Retin A Micro ( 0.04%)

e.) Retin A Micro (0.1%)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boricua1

I feel ya.. I'm going through the acne thing.. harsh.. and I've always had very clear skin... and people are noticing the acne big time... one day it looked like I had the pox.. lol... I have been using retin a... the tretinoin at 0.1 % gel and it burns and it peels the skin but it does help clear you up.. now granted I have heard that it makes it worse before it makes it better but I have seen an improvement in just a few days of the retin A with my acne.. granted, I'm not beauty pageant ready with the peeling, but hey i gotta get rid of this acne... lol.. try it... it may work for you

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Yup! When I was darker I had perfect skin! Not a blemish anywhere. It wasn't until I began the bleaching process that I got the marks and when BC came into the mix, it made it only that much worst.:mad:.. Ive been checking Retin A out and Im really not sure which one to use though.. If you look at the post above you'll see how LOST I am... lol :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by afro13queen

Yup! When I was darker I had perfect skin! Not a blemish anywhere. It wasnt until I began the bleaching process that I got the marks and when BC came into the mix, it made it onyl that much worst.:mad:..Ive been checking Retin A out and Im really not sure which one to use tho..If you look at the post above you'll see how LOST i am...lol :p

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They usually advise you to use a lower percentage if its your first time using retin a. I didn't. I used 0.1% the first time.LOL. If your face is not that sensitive, just go with 0.1%. Your face will peel a lot and reveal new skin faster.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by afro13queen

Yup! When I was darker I had perfect skin! Not a blemish anywhere. It wasnt until I began the bleaching process that I got the marks and when BC came into the mix, it made it onyl that much worst.:mad:..Ive been checking Retin A out and Im really not sure which one to use tho..If you look at the post above you'll see how LOST i am...lol :p

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Afroqueen may be best to try the retin-a (tretinoin) gel 0.025% USP first, this is their mildest if you have never used any exfoiliant, aha, or peels before or if you have sensitive skin. How strong is the Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2 in 1 Fight and Fade gel (w/AHA)? Because the retin-a is quite strong as is... believe me!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

Afroqueen may be best to try the retin-a (tretinoin) gel 0.025% USP first, this is their mildest if you have never used any exfoiliant, aha, or peels before or if you have sensitive skin. How strong is the Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2 in 1 Fight and Fade gel (w/AHA)? Because the retin-a is quite strong as is...believe me!

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Take into consideration the amount of hyperpigmentation or scarring. If you have a few marks here and there then yes, 0.025% is the way to go, but if you're trying to correct a lot of damage then you'll need 0.1%... Also if you're a vet at lightening, chemical peels, microderm and such then go for the higher stuff, but if you're a skin virgin maybe start lower. I bought 0.1% and didn't bother with the lower junk, but I was trying to undue YEARS of heavy hyperpigmentation damage.

@ Golden_Girl
Yeah I got a really nice glow when I got my peel done, I had ingrown hair marks on my face and it really lighten them up. This thanksgiving I'm doing a head to toe with lactic acid, I'll let you know how that goes, it also helps you creams work more potent in my opinion.