REGLE DU LIGHTENING POUR LES NOUVELLES Originally Posted by browzie
I've noticed a recent surge of confused newbies wondering about how to lighten their skin, where to start, and what products to use. I understand that most of you guys aren't familiar with this site, and therefore not to sure how to use the 'search' function, so I decided to make a thread on the PROVEN, EFFECTIVE, and SAFEST way to lighten the skin. This thread is just a reflection, and consolidation of the vast amount of info I collected on this forum. I will not include any suspicious, controversial products on this thread, since I want to provide the most safest suggestions. What works for some may not work for others, so the skin lightening journey is one of many trials and errors. No one gets their regimen correct the first time around. Its all about discovering what works for your skin, and keeping up with it. Changing products every so often will divert your progress, so its important to stick to your regimen. I did not include my personal regiment (you can loo it up if need be) so to keep this more factual than anecdotal. The following list includes steps/suggestions on the best way to lighten your skin..
1. EXFOLIATION..no matter how much products you slather on your face and body, you're going to only waste the product if its not penetrating your skin for better absorption. You need to increase the cell's turnover rate. Our skin naturally sheds itself every 28 days, but this is minimal, and long. You need to encourage your skin to peel, or exfoliate. Most of us use retin a ( refer to the 'sticky' thread on retinoids for more info) this will exfoliate your skin which can result in flaking,and or peeling. Some also use chemical peels ( start off with low strength-40%-then work your way up). If you have very dark skin, then the peels are recommended. Give yourself 4-6 weeks before introducing any lighteners to your regiment. Good exfoliation ensures that the lighteners will work well, and you're getting you're money's worth. Try to get a soap (most popular are likas and kojie san soap) and use it twice a day to also help with exfoliation. A GA/LA lotion will help to exfoliate the body. READ THE DIRECTIONS ON THE PRODUCTS YOU BUY. You're dealing with acids so you need to be careful not to destroy your skin
2. Lighteners- the most respected, and trusted agent in lightening is hydroquinone. OTC sale of HQ is limited to 2% so one must be diligent in finding HQ in higher percentages (frankly 2% really isn't effective) You can also find Nadinola (3% hq) at walmart, but most of use 4-10% to see viable results. There are other sources of higher percentage hq available online as well (pm me for a source), but you must be sure of the ingredients. Most brands add harmful ingredients to their products like mercury and steroids. If you choose to use a higher % hq, you must NOT use it longer than 3-4 months. After that you must look for natural lighteners (Alpha Arbutin, Kojic acid, etc)
3. SUN AVOIDANCE AND PROTECTION?SUNBLOCK- this is the most crucial, an important part in the lightening journey. You're hard work will surely go to waste if you do not follow this rule. The sun is strongest between 11-4 pm, so try not to play in the sun those times. Retin a use will make your skin photosensitive, so your skin will not like the sun very much. Also, the sun, when it comes into contact with skin treated with hq, will actually darken the skin. Use an SPF50 sunblock (not sunscreen!) and keep the Sun parties at a minimal.
Routine
First 4-6 weeks: exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. This step is all about removing the tan of your skin, and correcting any sun damage of your skin. AFter waking up, wash face (with soap mentioned earlier) or GA cleanser, or anything you choose. Pat dry, and apply a Vitamin C serum (made at home, or store brought). The Vit c will help reverse sun damage, and prevent further sun damage. Apply your GA/LA lotion on body. Repeat this (san vit c serum) nightly. Apply the retin A at night ( do not do it during the day, unless you're sure you're not leaving the house). If you are doing chemical peels, you only need to do it weekly. Fridays work best, cuz you can peel over the weekend. SUNBLOCK SUNBLOCK SUNBLOCK (cannot say this enough)
After you are done with the first several weeks, you are ready to introduce a lightener. YOU MUST CONTINUE WITH THE EXFOLIATION REGIMENT. Use your hq (recommend 4-6%) in the morning, after cleansing the face. DONT FORGET THE BODY. At night you can apply the hq, followed by the RA, or you can mix the two.
Those are the basics, of course you can add to this, or tweak it for your preference, its up to you.
Other things you can do
Salt baths using micro exfoliating cloth. You can use IHABN's advice and use pure acetone, before doing the bath (it ensures all dirt, oil is removed so that you can exfoliate to the max)
Microdermabrasions ( in place of chemical peels)
Visit your gyms's sauna. The heat and moisture will open your pores up so well, so it will e easier to exfoliate)
Other lightener's I suggest (decide if you want to yourself)
Milk protein cream
I have used neoprosone in the past as well, but this cream DOES contain steroids so you need to be careful. Ondine told us Dr. Kilgman suggested mixing a small amount of neoprosone and equal amount of RA in the palm of the hand. Doing this cancels the harmful effect of the neoprosone
HTH if you nebies have any more questions/concerns feel free to ask