salsera

You and I have had similar thoughts and experiences. I had been using KA and AR for quite a few months. No change noticed. I used them long enough (7 months)to have seen some change.

SW also did not have any impact and I added ARBUTIN to the compound.

When I started using the papaya soap in conjuction with DIY Vitamin C Serum- OMG - I thought all of my skin peeling completely off my body. Exfoliation is an understatement. If I can get my feet and tough areas to look like the rest of my bod - I would be ecstatic

I have been on the HQ4 and RA routine for a week and my skin is showing true signs of more lightening (and more peeling of course)

I hope the compounded HQ and SW has a similar effect. If I don't see a change in 30 days I am going to boost it with KA and AR.

I'm not in a rush to lighten but I want to settle on what products really work and establish a routine around those products.

LightenNLift

to be honest, Kojic and Arbutin does not really work to do anything on brown skin, it is great for light skin with slight discolorations, HQ is our best bet when it comes to whitening a couple shades. Stick with teh HQ and RA and ull get there, LaDonna original regimen of HQ/RA took her 12 months to get from Lauryn to Mariah, She stuck with her rigorous regimen - avoided the sun adn wore high spf whenever she went out.

ondine

I like her approach too. When I began back in Jan, I was using a variation of her routine. I switched because hers was more economical but mine was working just as well.The tempation to experiment was too great to resist & I'm glad I tried it. I'm gaining a lot of understanding about how creams & lotions are compounded; what agents are typically used in tandem with which others, aqueous vs oily phases etc. Since I have a heap of HQ/RA on the way from ADC, if the compounds I make ultimately don't lighten, I can easily re-lighten. Next week, I'll be trying out a Glycolic acid peel at 50% strength. Many here have used this B4 & many in Anti-aging have a lot to say about it & have offered much useful advice. This will help remove much of the melanin rich 'old' skin cells & enable my lightening agents to penetrate better. I'll be sure to report about the experience.

salsera

This is 2 funny - I am in the process (right now) of applying a 30% TCA peel on my hands. I'm typing this reply between layers.

Great minds...

lol

salsera

LNL

Based on a lack of results you may be right. From all the research and documents I've read Alpha Arbutin is a form of HQ. So perhaps at the right percentage it could potentially have the same effect as HQ4%+. I continue to experiment to see what may work for me. Everything doesn't work for everyone and the reverse is quite true some things may work for one that doesn't work for another. So I may find a working solution. .

Since I have the products I may as well use them up! Who knows I may stumble up on something - or not!!! LOL

Now that I have found a HQ and RA source you can bet believe I will not give up that routine

LightenNLift

actually salsera, you are in luck today, because I happen to have 20% alpha arbutin cream 4 ounce that I only used for a week b/c I really believe that it doesnt lighten but if u have faith that it does ill mail it to you.

salsera

I have enough of the active itself to use up. Studies and research indicates Arbutin does inhibit tyrosinaise and melanin production, it is a derivative form of HQ and is effective on hyperpigmentation. I don't recall reading anything to the contrary. If HQ, at a 4% or higher concentration lightens, then it is conceivable, that HQ in the form of Arbutin can lighten as well, given the right strength.
I've already made the financial investment so I don't have much to lose by adding the active to a compound.
Perhaps another member will take you up on your offer.

ondine

Salsera, did you say 30% TCA? WOW! That is really hard-core! I tried the 18% TCA (2 layers) & it stung like crazy. How did the peel turn out for you & what was yr primary reason for choosing it?

salsera

Ondine - yes I use a 30% peel on my hands, knees and elbows only. A professional did a 20% on those areas last year. I did not frost and the peeling was minimal. 30% was recommended thereafter and I've been using this strength for almost a year. The pro did a 12% on my face and it is (one layer) almost too strong. I can only have it done once a year because of the required down time.
I've had peels in the past so my skin (tough areas) could take the strength. Sun damage occurred over the years because "doctors" did not instruct on the importance and life long requirement of sunblock.

Noir97

This information is golden. Thank you for posting.

ondine

Thanks for all that info re yr experience with TCA peels. This is the first time I've heard of anyone trying it at 30%. I'm surprised you didn't frost like a windowpane in January! What were the results after all the peeling/downtime was overwith? Are you glad you went through this?

In my youth too nobody was warning people about the need for regular sunblock usage. No one with any pigment in their skin used sunblock as it was falely assumed that the sun could nt harm brown to black skin! A tan was not understood as the skin protecting itself from damage: it was a sign of being outdoorsy & healthy. As children, we never wore sunblock at all. Now I'm seeing that much of what I thought was just dark skin is really a sun induced perma tan. What a shock!

salsera

I agree!!! My family, friends and colleagues still do not understand why I use sunblock. But I do believe awareness is increasing, especially since a lot of the big health care insurance providers now require annual health assessments - and you guessed it - sunblock and protection from sun is a question on the assessment. In the near future, I believe insurance rates will be based on preventive maintenance.

I've learned a lot on this forum - so if I can help someone it is my pleasure. Actually years ago I had higher strength peels performed by a dermatologist - on my hands only. Under his care - I achieved the even tone on my hands I desired. It was a peel, HQ and RA regiment. This was one of the occurences that the Dr. didn't explain how crucial sunblock was. Had I known - I would be on a maintenance not an achieving routine.

30% on the hands does not require downtime. Because I am in a professional office environment I have to keep moisturizing which slows down the peeling. The TCA peel on my face requires the downtime. I would never use this strength on my face!

GoddessOfEarth

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, thanks for the shout out, too! It's nice to, FINALLY, have found a fun and DECENT skin lightening message board!

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ondine

Beautification in all its forms ought to be FUN . I'm having a blast tinkering with compounding.

salsera

I received my HQ crystals yesterday. I am going to delay compounding with it until I finish peeling with the TCA 30% I applied Saturday. My hands just started peeling this evening and it has been steady. The skin tone underneath is fabulous

salsera

Ondine - gailrubymoose did a TCA 50% (on her face I think). see below taken from anti-aging threads.



Hi girls,

Well I did it! I took the 100% TCA and deluted it to 50% and went for it. Wowee! Now that was burn! It frosted and I left it on about 3 minutes. Didn't hurt after the cold water and barely turned red. Today its not red but brought out all the freckles and made things darker. I'm not putting anything on cause I want it to peel faster.

I don't see any real damage from doing another peel so fast. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I'll let you know how it goes,

Gail

ondine

50%! & I thought I was 'out there' with my 18% . THanks for sharing that post. I'll be watching for her updates . 50% would likely eat my head.