ondine

Hi guys! I thought this thread might prove helpful to those trying to lighten very dark skin & who are experiencing only marginal success & much frustration.
Why is it so challenging?

- First off, there are 2 types of melanin. One type is seen in fairer people, the other in darker people. YES, I'm painting in broad strokes here but here's a thumbnail tutorial re melanin. Anyone seeking more detailed info can hit Google Scholar.Melanin Types The majority of products on the mass market have been designed & tested on people having the 1st type of melanin. Think Caucasians, fairer Asians & Middle Eastern/ Meditteraneans. Despite the black woman they show on the website or target in their ads, their rpoduct will not likely yield much in the way of results on darker skin.

-Secondly, Darkening white skin is not a societal hot button topic.Whites always have been privileged in The West esp & have always had a vast amt of options & the freeodm to make whatever choices they liked. Asians have a long history of accepting skin lightening as a legitimate pursuit that predates colonialism by centuries. Blacks, on the other hand, have only recently (in my lifetime!) seen the growth & availability of beauty products tailored to their needs. The right to alter Black skin as the person sees fit is one of the last bastions of resistance. Blacks get 'shamed' with pejorative labels if it becomes known that they're attempting to lighten their skin the criticism comes both from whites AND blacks! 'Society' has never been motivated to research & provide safe & effective options to this demographic. Their options are limited, effective treatments are banned under the auspices of 'cancer scares' & paternalism. Our forum, with its core of supportive members of every colour, can pool our knowledge & words of encouragement to buoy members facing this specific challenge.

- Thirdly, since, as was shown above, there's a difference in the type & amt of melanin produced, a different & more 'involved' approach needs to be taken from the beginning. I know. I was a deep red/brown mid range Fitz V WITH compounding sun-induced permatan in Jan of 09. Had I known then what I do now, I'd've approached my routine differently. I HAVE successfully & evenly lightened dramatically since then (I've shared update photos over the year & most 'old-timers' here have seen them). I've done so w/o any damage whatsoever or any health-related consequences (my liver & kidneys are fine, I don't have skin cancer & I haven't gone blind!)

This post is getting long, so I'll stop for now. I will add a second post this evening giving more details as to 'how to' make it happen using the same products available to everyone else. I hope, as always, members of all complexions will pitch in too sharing insights, asking questions & feeling welcome. When I was a FitzV, Caucasian member, GoatLady was my 'go-to' person for all things TCA related. This diversity is one of our any great strengths.