FLOWERCHILD92

OMG Thank you soooo much. You are my savior lol. I have just two questions and I don't know if you can answer this but, do you know if I will have to switch to a new regimen to maintain my color and I know this is too much but will my face be much more different from my body? Again thank you so much for youe help

karenannev

Hey my pleasure! I was going to fix a few things but my husband called me away to help him put together his new barbeque, and came back to edit but it was too late! Some things I was going to fix are: the NCN microfiber cloth you can get from here Microfiber Cleansing Cloth*-*NCN Professional Skincare - Anti Aging Skin Care Products That Makes Your Skin Look and Act Younger
and just going through this, in the morning use the Vitamin C serum BEFORE the moisturiser. Is this right, LightenNLift?

To answer your questions, and it's never too much, ask a many questions as you like :

To maintain your color when you reach your desired tone, just do this regimen, say, 3 times a week, or switch to a natural lightener instead.

If you do your face only, it will be lighter than your body so you will probably want to do your body too. Another idea is to start on your darkest parts first and then all over when you've evened up, to keep yourself matching.

Oh and to start off, you may want to use the HQ/RA every OTHER night until your skin adjusts. I used the 0.05%. You could also use the 0.025% which is milder, or you could even use Differin instead of RA which is apparently a LOT less irritating.

Sorry if this is a bit all over the place.

I hope I haven't missed anything! Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. I have had SOOOOO much help on here myself and have asked a zillion questions .

FLOWERCHILD92

thank you so much, I couldn't have gotten a more helpful reply (: I'll be starting my new regime in the summertime, wish me luck and best of luck to you .

karenannev

No problem at all, Flowerchild92! GOOD LUCK!!!!

dontjudgeme

HEY "KARENANNEV" I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE??

I'm new to this site & wanted to say I am happy for all the positive feed back you can get on here!! I love the fact that you guys are honest & helpful to others like me!! I want to start on the HQ/RA & even out my skin tone... I want to know what should I use to exfoliate my skin?? Or what should I use on my body & face to prep for the HQ/RA?? Is there a certain bath or face wash???

I WOULD BE SO HAPPY IF YOU CAN LET ME KNOW THANK YOU

karenannev

Hi again dontjudgeme,

Sorry I didn't get here yesterday. I did reply to your questions in another post. Please let me know if you have any other questions .

ondine

Go KarenanneV! Love all the good advice you've been generously sharing! How's your own lightening progressing? Are you still using the same regimen & getting good results?

The advice above presents you with several viable alternatives. You'll have to tweak your routine to suit your individual skin. I used the Likas Papaya soap, HQ4% & RA 0.1% routine to get my really great results. I'm even-toned & natural looking. Not everyone can use RA so to minimize the odds of an adverse reaction, read the sticky thread by LightenNLift at the top of the skin lightening forum. This will teach you how to properly introduce RA into your regimen & what to watch for & expect.

What colour are you now (for example like Oprah) & what colour are you working towards?

karenannev

Thanks Ondine! I know it's really silly but every time I share my own good news on here something seems to go wrong. Silly, silly, silly, I know. Anyway, here goes! Unjinx me, everyone . For the last two weeks or so, I have been using only RA at night, every night, and in the morning, my old favorite, this: LOreal Revitalift Double Lift 30mL price | OKmart - Compare Prices & Save shopping in Australia. I'm really just focusing at the moment on getting rid of scars and trying to thicken up my skin. I'm trying really hard not to worry about my lack of whiteness. My skin is looking pretty amazing at the moment, texture wise. I still wish it was paler but will worry about that later. I do manage to tone it down with my invisible zinc and my powder so it looks pale-ish, so good enough for now. I'm really very happy that my skin seems to be loving RA on it's own without the HQ. And I'm really excited to see how it will be in a few months time .

Oh yeah, although I've stopped using my F&F gel on my face, I still use it on my arms and hands once a day and they look great! My back is going to take a lot longer.

Mixedchica

Karenannev, for the HQ 4% and Retin-A regimen is it best to start using the Retin_A first one day and the next day HQ 4%.

How many times a day for each day if I use one every other day?

Also what type of body wash and face wash is ok to use while on this regimen?

Is SPF 50 banana boat brand ok to use as a sunblock?

Thanks, I can't wait to start my regimen.

LoveCoutureSoul

For the HQ 4% and Retin-A regimen is it best to start using the Retin_A first one day and the next day HQ 4%.

-What your describing is LaDonna's method and its your choice. In my opinion it's a great to go with her regimen because not only is it a money saver but your also giving your products more time to penetrate

How many times a day for each day if I use one every other day?

-You can use HQ 4% 2x a day if you use an excellent sunblock when you go out into the daylight,RA once a day only at night

Also what type of body wash and face wash is ok to use while on this regimen?

-Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers such as Cetaphil,no anti-acne products!
-You can keep your same body wash but it would be wise to invest in some Likas papaya soap to thoroughly cleanse

Is SPF 50 banana boat brand ok to use as a sunblock?

-Most USA brands aren't that good if you can..invest in a European sunscreen. If you want to go with a brand you can easily purchase at the store try out Neutrogena's Dry Touch 40+ with Helioplex
-You can further search the forums for sunscreen information.

Mixedchica

Ok LoveCoutureSoul, let e know what you think.

here is my regimen I will try:

Night time
wash face with a gentle cleanser
wash body with Likas papaya soap
dry completely and wait 15 mins
use Retin-A
then wait 30 mins or longer and apply HQ 4%
then wait 15 mins or longer and apply moisturizer if needed.

Daytime
wash face with gentle cleanser
wash body with Likas Papaya soap
dry completely and wait 15 mins
use HQ 4%
wait 30 mins or longer and apply moisturizer
then after 15 mins put on sunscreen and protective clothing and sunglasses
wait ahile before leaving so sunscreen has time to work
also avoid direct sunlight

karenannev

Mixedchica, that sounds pretty good to me. I probably wouldn't apply moisturiser after your creams at night, though, unless your skin is extremely dry. You don't want to lessen the effects of the creams. Good point about waiting for the sunscreen to take effect before leaving the house. Good luck!

ondine

You don't have to wait so long after applying the RA to apply your HQ. You can even mix the 2 together in your hand & apply them at once. If the RA is a gel & the HQ is a cream, you cannot pre-mix them & store them for use. Gels & creams don't blend. If both are gels (or creams) you can pre-mix 2-3 day's supply in an opaque jar. I've done this before.


Your sun avoidance plan is well thought out. This is where so many lighteners hit a brick wall: they don't properly protect themselves from the sun. I agree with Karenannev re all that moisturizer. You really don't need it except on especially dry areas. You don't want to diminish the effects of your treatment creams nor do you want to clog your pores & risk blackheads & acne.

Since you're using RA, investing in the microfiber cloth is a great idea. It'll gently remove all those flakes of exfoliating skin the RA creates.

Mixedchica

Thanks odine an karen, and everyone for your input

I cant wait to start my regimen, Im just waiting for my orde from superskin store now.

Also could I use a different type of body wash if I dont use the likas soap, like maybe one for sensitive skin or one that is moisturizing?

Oh and can you stock up on HQ 4%AND RA 0.1% as long as you dont open until you will be using them and put them in a cool dry place?

ondine

I'd avoid those moisturizing bosywashes as they coat the skin with oily agents & could limit the absorption of your treatment creams. Instead of the Likas, you might buy an authentic African Black soap (should be mottled & brown). A natural ph balanced soap from L'Occitane is also good. You can & should stock up. Just ask for best before dates that are a ways off. If buying to stock up, buy from ADC. It's much cheaper for the identical products.

Mixedchica

Thanks Odine, thats what I was thinking of doing is stocking up at adc because the prices are a great deal, Im so glad I came across this forum.


Do you have an idea when HQ and RA would expire or should I be ok if I dont open until I will be using it?