Hey guys, Newbie here!

Been lurking a few weeks (for research purposes). I like to know mostly EVERYTHING before I start any transformation (hair growth, weight loss, skin lightening) so I copy and pasted 20 MS word pages worth of info (excessive, I know) JUST so I can be sure I'm doing EVERYTHING right.

So, I've learned that I have one EXTREME permatan and over the next few weeks (maybe even months, that's how severe it is) I plan to exfoliate, exfoliate, EXFOLIATE!

Here's a list of the products I bought to start out with:
Likas
DuDu Osun
L-Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) powder
Lactic Acid
Exfoliating washcloths and gloves
Studio 35 AHA face cream

Things I already had on hand:
Glycerin
Raw Shea Butter
Aloe vera gel
Baking soda

What I plan to do:
Wash face (which soap should I use?)
Vitamin C serum (vit C, glycerin, water mix)
Moisturize face with Studio 35 face cream
LA peels at 20% 1x a week (same for body; will use 40% instead; may do my knees 2x a week as its a HUGE problem area)

Wash/exfoliate body DAILY with likas 6x a week; DuDu 1x a week (suggestions?)
moisturize with 40% LA lotion (own mix)
Sunscreen (or is it sunblock? I have the info, I believe its block but I keep seeing ppl say sunSCREEN so I'm still confused)

is there anything else I should be doing or does this look good? Thanks to all who answer

This is definitely a good regimen from what I'm seeing, how long are you going to be exfoliating for? and I use sunscreen, it could be the personal preference, however I do know Sunscreen simply shields out the sun like a screen door would and sunblock, completely blocks it out, like I said it's all personal preference and what might be in your budget at the time, but I think either or you'll be fine. Also have you thought of what creams you want to incorporate into your regimen after your exfoliation process or are you just going to naturally lighten all the way?

 

Thanks for your response!

I have products in mind but because my permatan is so extreme that by the time I get rid of it, I may not want to lighten. Should I decide to, I have nadinola in mind for my face, adding Koji san soap and RA. Do you have any other suggestions as far as lightening creams? especially for the body? I also plan to upgrade to to GA or TCA peels.

Browsing the forums got me wanting to try GPO and maxipeel but I don't want to overload myself (or become a product junky lol)

 

I suggest carolight by ANGEL for the body (jar& oil, all others are fakes and contain steroids...) or maybe just the jar since you're not looking to lighten too much, great exfoliation routine, good luck !

 

Hey Lunaaa, I wanted to ask if I were to just but the jar cream and jar for the body, would one oil bottle be enough to evenly disperse among the cream and the body jar, cause when I purchase the Carowhite I don't want to spend too much on it. Your thoughts?

 

I like the smell of Likas but I'm afraid of kojic acid. Doesn't kojic acid burn or something?

 

It does the trick is to listen to your skin if it starts to tingle wash it off I would say start with about 2mins leaving it on the face and work ur way up and have more than one to alternate with so as not to over exfoliate. Do u have a Korean Italy Towel? Sorry I forgot if u said but that is very good for getting rid of that permatan and Epsom salt soak twice a week.

 

Thank you!

 

Ur welcome now get going lots of exfoliating to do !

 

I would like to.start exfloilating but I am afraid because I have some parties I would like to attend this april and may and do not want to have my skin showing peeling when I go to those parties. Should I wait and start after the parties or should I start now. I would like to start if the peeling are not going to be visible. Thanks and truly would appreciate any advice.

 

Exfoliating doesn't always mean massive peeling start with the soaps don't do any peels if u don't want to but the peeling last about 5 days so if u pace urself u can b fine wouldn't u want fabulous skin going to the party???

 

Thanks so much for the reply. I would definately start with the soap. How about the lactic acid lotion? Should I start on that, since the peeling would last just five days?.

 

The lotion doesn't give visible peeling its more like micro peeling so u can use that as well

 

Thanks so much , I now have the confidence to start and hope to glow. Thanks a million.

 

I believe that you must give your skin some time to recover from exfoliation. To much can cause damage to the skins barrier function. That could lead to increased sensitivity and/or PIH.

New skin cells can only be generated so fast. RA helps speed up cellular turnover, but the cells still must be generated.

 

I believe that you must give your skin some time to recover from exfoliation. To much can cause damage to the skins barrier function. That could lead to increased sensitivity and/or PIH.

New skin cells can only be generated so fast. RA helps speed up cellular turnover, but the cells still must be generated.

I could, but I don't feel that my skin needs to recover from exfoliation? and I mean how much time would that be you know? and what is PIH? Sorry I'm new to all these terms, so you'll have to excuse me.

 

Do not dump Vit c serum into anything. It has a lower pH in order to be effective. If you mix it in with something else, the pH will not be effective. And yes, you can exfoliate too much. Your skin will respond with increased sensitivity. You could end up with a burn from products. Do a search on burn in this forum. People want to blame the product, not their own over zealous exfoliation. I would only be doing exfoliation once a day. Period. Or even very other day if using acids. PIH is post immflamatory hyper pigmentation. Skin becomes inflamed from too much exfoliation. It can lead to hyper pigmentation. Do a search on PIH to read some experiences on it.

 

I use microfiber as one of my exfoliation methods. Do not toss it in the dryer or use any fabric softener with them. I use mine on a clean face with warm water. http://ncnskincare.com/blog/2011/09/microfiber-cleansing-cloth-–-tips-for-using-it

 

Good luck. I am also on a complete transformation as well from plastic surgery, skin lightening, growing out my god awful bob
and I am hoping to complete my transformation in 3 years

 

One ounce of Vit C 'should' last a month or so, using it every morning. For maximum efficacy, apply after cleansing (and toning if you do that step). I apply it directly to my face, holding the dropper above the skin. I don't even bother putting it in my hand, as I don't want to waste it. Let the Vit C absorb for about 20 minutes before applying your next step. This is so that your skin has time to return to a normal pH after the Vit C application. Again, this is so that you are getting your money's worth from a product.

I think people like to take shortcuts, and lose the efficacy of products by not applying the proper wait time. But that is just my opinion.

 

One ounce of Vit C 'should' last a month or so, using it every morning. For maximum efficacy, apply after cleansing (and toning if you do that step). I apply it directly to my face, holding the dropper above the skin. I don't even bother putting it in my hand, as I don't want to waste it. Let the Vit C absorb for about 20 minutes before applying your next step. This is so that your skin has time to return to a normal pH after the Vit C application. Again, this is so that you are getting your money's worth from a product.

I think people like to take shortcuts, and lose the efficacy of products by not applying the proper wait time. But that is just my opinion.

You know what that makes sense, I didn't know they came with a dropper, so that's why before I wasn't sure how I would be able to properly apply them to my skin, but thank you so much it's very much, now it won't make my creams ineffective after waiting for the vitamin C to sink in? and what is PH? is that like the temperature of skin, kind of like how LA peels make the face somewhat hot? and Im definitely willing to apply this properly, so thank you so much for your help!

 

If I exfoliate and get at least two shades lighter, is using skin lightening cream something I would eventually have to do?

 

If u only want to b 2 shades lighter then no vitamin c serum and a good zinc oxide sunscreen should maintain u but u will have to continue exfoliating

 

Exfoliating update:

I've been exfoliating diligently (I started off doing it the wrong way but have since corrected it). I started out using a rough mitt that I got from walmart. I'd apply either Likas or Dudu osun and scrub/buff in circular motions and then rinse off and apply 15% DIY LA lotion. I have since changed it to washing with a regular washcloth, letting the soap sit on for about 5 minutes (don't have that much time to do it for longer), rinse off, towel dry and then using a microfiber cloth I buff/lightly scrub my skin. Then I apply 25% LA lotion and EVOO

I have yet to see any skin peeling or even dead skin after I exfoliate. I'm thinking it's because I got rid of it when I started buffing it away with soap and since the soap was there I couldnt see it? I've never exfoliated before so I thought there would be lots of piled up dead skin to remove...

Anywho, if I don't start to see some peeling in another week or so, I'm gonna get GPO, YPO or Maxipeel...

Thoughts?

 

Where do all UK based members get there LA and/or RA from?

 

Leave the Vit c serum on the skin. The concentration shouldn't be that high that it causes a problem. The only thing I would do is maybe not use the EVOO after your LA. You are exfoliating just fine. You don't have to see sheets of skin coming off

 

The only thing I would do is maybe not use the EVOO after your LA. You are exfoliating just fine. You don't have to see sheets of skin coming off

My ascorbic acid/vitamin c serum is about 20%...I make it 1teaspoon vit c, 2 tsp distilled water, 2 tsp glycerin...the acid crystals don't really dissolve all the way so idk how I would be able to leave it on

 

As part of my exfoliation I've been using natural products( like lemon and baking soda, etc) as well as Aveeno brightening daily scrub and I just wanted to know If I could begin to use peels(preferably maxi peel) ?

 

UPDATE:

Exfoliating is going....well, I guess. My legs are A LOT smoother and appear moisturized. They used to be so ashy/scaley (wasn't a big fan of moisturizing areas that weren't gonna be seen (don't judge me). Some of my KP bumps are going away on the bottom of my left leg and I'm excited for what they'll look like when those devil bumps are all gone. I have these 2 deep black dark spots on my knees and they appear to be fading and I'm anxious for the day those are gone as well.

I recently added Koji san to my soap lineup (was already using dudu osun, likas and dead sea salt) but I have yet to use it as I plan to do a peel and I think I remember reading that its strong so it should't be used before one?

help me out guys....I plan to peel my knees and elbows and some dark spots that were left over from bite marks today

My most stubborn area I believe will be my arms. My outer arm permatan is so bad that someone once asked me if it was a birthmark

I want it gone YESTERDAY but I don't see much of a difference using my 25% LA lotion but I will try to be patient.

Speaking of patient, another area I am anxious to see lighten is my face. Idk how many shades off it is from my original color (wrist/chest) but its DARK! Im sooooo anxious (think Genuwine) to start lightening my face but I've recently gone through HELL with my face by contacting atopic dermatitis so I'm working on healing that before I can do anything

It's mainly around my eyes where the problem is, since ppl avoid applying creams to those areas anyway, would I be able to start using creams if I just avoided those areas?

One added thought: I still don't think I'm exfoliating right. I have yet to see evidence of dead skin on the area or the cloth/mitt any tips?

So many questions, so little time. If you can only answer one, please do so. I'm not greedy

 

UPDATE: Exfoliating is going....well, I guess. My legs are A LOT smoother and appear moisturized. They used to be so ashy/scaley (wasn't a big fan of moisturizing areas that weren't gonna be seen (don't judge me). Some of my KP bumps are going away on the bottom of my left leg and I'm excited for what they'll look like when those devil bumps are all gone. I have these 2 deep black dark spots on my knees and they appear to be fading and I'm anxious for the day those are gone as well. I recently added Koji san to my soap lineup (was already using dudu osun, likas and dead sea salt) but I have yet to use it as I plan to do a peel and I think I remember reading that its strong so it should't be used before one? :hmm:  help me out guys....I plan to peel my knees and elbows and some dark spots that were left over from bite marks today My most stubborn area I believe will be my arms. My outer arm permatan is so bad that someone once asked me if it was a birthmark  I want it gone YESTERDAY but I don't see much of a difference using my 25% LA lotion but I will try to be patient. Speaking of patient, another area I am anxious to see lighten is my face. Idk how many shades off it is from my original color (wrist/chest) but its DARK! Im sooooo anxious (think Genuwine) to start lightening my face but I've recently gone through HELL with my face by contacting atopic dermatitis so I'm working on healing that before I can do anything :scream: It's mainly around my eyes where the problem is, since ppl avoid applying creams to those areas anyway, would I be able to start using creams if I just avoided those areas? One added thought: I still don't think I'm exfoliating right. I have yet to see evidence of dead skin on the area or the cloth/mitt any tips? So many questions, so little time. If you can only answer one, please do so. I'm not greedy

For ur exfoliating do a soak with table salt,Epsom salt or the Dead Sea salt if u have it add evoo to it and soak for at least half an hour then use whatever exfoliating cloth u have with the kojie San soap and scrub while ur in the bath b prepared to b embarrassed about the bath water

 

ihi guys ive got a prob with my diy vit c serum i use 2 tsp of glyercin and 1 tsp of vitamin c but it often seperates and i can only apply in the night coz its so runny is it still effective?

 

Whether you scrub skin off or it peels, exfoliation is still occurring.

 

It's working! My inner arm is micro peeling

 

It's working! My inner arm is micro peeling

Look how excited u r over micro peeling wait until u get to the big boys I'm leaving big chunks of dead skin everywhere!

 

I have Keratosis Pilaris too. I'm glad to read you're KP is improving. That's a nice bonus result thanks to your lightening regimen!

 

Look how excited u r over micro peeling wait until u get to the big boys I'm leaving big chunks of dead skin everywhere!

Lol, because it took so long I didn't think I'd peel at all

I have Keratosis Pilaris too. I'm glad to read you're KP is improving. That's a nice bonus result thanks to your lightening regimen!

I'm not lightening yet, just been exfoliating a few weeks but it's a bonus either way

 

Yet another question: yesterday was my first time doing peels. I did a 44% LA peel on my lips (whew, that was hard!) And I've done it on my knees where they each have two very dark/hard patches. I left it on for five minutes and it didn't sting, tingle or anything...and right now they're looking pretty normal My question is, can I do a serious of three, five minute peels back to back and then neutralize? Isn't that what spas do to ppl? Peel their face a number of times in one session? Or should I just wait a few days and do it at a higher percentage?

 

I can't believe this! I feel like I've been bamboozled, hoodwinked, swindled! All these years of thinking I was clean cause I showered EVERYDAY sometimes TWICE day and I was WRONG! I finally took a sea salt bath and the filth that emitted from my body is making me wonder if I've ever TRULY been clean!?! I've been saying that I haven't seen the "evidence" of dead skin shedding while using my microfiber towel but I've done an additional 20 minutes after my bath attempting to get it all off and I don't even think I was successful. Needless to say I recommend it and I will be doing it EVERY Sunday!

 

NOPE, You've been dirty everyday until today lmao

Just kidding, I Felt the same way after doing my sea salt bath. Its a crazy thought tho hahaha

 

Or you can get this from ebay or amazon

Lather up with it in the shower, let it sit for a few minutes then buff off with an exfoliator. I have this soap as well

 

Or you can get this from ebay or amazon

Lather up with it in the shower, let it sit for a few minutes then buff off with an exfoliator. I have this soap as well

you think i could use this soap on my face?!