[Laila]

Hey Y'all:

I'm getting married in August and have decided to lighten my skin. There are many reasons for this. First of all, my face is a bit lighter than the rest of me. I hate how dark my hands look compared to my face. I used to be lighter, but somehow have gotten darker over the years (especially in the last two summers).

I'm really glad I found this forum. Many people look at you strangely if you openly tell them that you would like lighter skin. For me, having even toned skin is very important. I'll be heavily photographed before and during my wedding and I want to look my best. I've learned that I look the best when my complexion is lighter and even toned - especially the latter.

I've been thinking about doing the lime juice/cucumber bit to see if that helps. I have pretty good skin, virtually blemish free and quite smooth/soft. I am looking for a safe but effective way to lighten and even out my skin, in less than 6 months.

Thanks for reading! If you have any suggestions, please do respond.

 

[ondine]

Check these thread: From lauryn to Mariah (by La Donna)

 

[Chino]

Congrats on the upcoming wedding Laila

 

[ondine]

Laila,

Have you had any luck with the lightening? I hope your wedding day is everything you dreamt of to be followed by a happy marriage.

 

[Laila]

Hiya!

Thanks for responding. I still haven't begun any kind of skin lightening regiment yet. I plan to start sometime in mid May. Do you guys have any advice on how I should proceed? I'm planning to visit a dermatologist (I need to get a referral from my family doc). I'm a little weary of just coming out and telling the doc that I want to be lighter. It's such a taboo, to say that kind of stuff out loud, ya know?

I want fast results... I'm willing to be more patient after my wedding, slowing things down and getting settled into a long-term plan. But, for now, I need something that will produce quick results.

I'll read the other thread that was suggested. And thank you for the congrats. I can't wait to get married!

BTW, ondine, I recall reading in one of your threads that you're Canadian. Me too!

 

[gorgeouslady]

i think you should rather do a research on products to use instead of going to dermatologists.they usually just look at you funny and take your money making you buy very expensive stuff that you hardly get results from.i once went with a friend years ago to a dermatologist cos she had a really bad case of big-time hyperpigmentation .immediately she said she wanted something to clear up her skin and make it abit lighter and even,he just shook his head and said we black always have a problem with our skin and always want to be "LIGHTER".then he prescribed her some really expensive cream like 250dollars but her insurance covered some of it and she ended up paying 130dollars for it and even after two months of continuous use her skin was probably worse than before and we went again saying the cream didn't work and he just prescribed another one again which didn't work either.so researching and trying out products to lighten youself is probably the best thing to do in my opinion.am doing just that for myself.

 

[ondine]

With all due respect for your negative experience, it is possible that he was just a crappy doctor. I think Laila is doing wisely to consult someone who knows what they're doing first. She can decide whether the advice seems good & whether or not the creams he suggests are suitable (by then verifying them online etc. before buying.)

As for getting something that works fast, that is a relative term. Skin grows & sheds in cycles. Exfoliating creams like Retin A speed up this cycle as does Glycolic acid. That being said, it is preferable to proceed a little more slowly & cautiously so as not to damage your skin. After all, you want to be lighter; not burnt to a crisp!

 

[gorgeouslady]

i guess you're right.i probably did have a crappy doctor hence my crappy experience.well,i do hope she achieves the lightening she wants.laila,keep us updated

 

[ondine]

There are many crappy doctors out there. Like in any field, there are competent people & incompetent ones. You've got to be selective & look out for yourself.

 

[Laila]

I'm not sure about going to see a dermatologist. I've been putting off the process of lightening (or starting it) for some time now. I need to start! I've been learning so much, though, from just reading posts here. I love it!

 

[GoddessOfEarth]

Are you SURE you want to lighten by your wedding date? All products don't lighten overnight. You don't want something that lightens that fast anyway. ....Not that you typed overnight, but you typed "fast results".

If you REALLY want to lighten by a certain day, you should start now. That'll give you time to see if a 'certain' product is working or just wasting more time.

Quote I Read Somewhere:Why Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Can Do Today?!
^^Still learning that one, myself (procrastination).^^

If you really have deadlines, it'd be smarter to start now. Some products are partial to certain people and some work slower than others.

Good Luck :.) ,


GoddessOfEarth

 

[ondine]

This is good advice. Augist is just around the corner (in skin lightening time). Going for speedy results is seldom smart when it comes to this. It is better to be safe, not damage your skin & proceed with caution. I've read about people slathering on Mono 40% in an effort to get fast results. No source I've been able to unearth recommends anything over 20% and there never more than 2x/day. As for HQ, the highest I've found from a legitimate & safe source is 10%. There too, 2x/day is the limit. Even with mono 20% it take 4 months to really see results. If your wedding day is a target date for results for you, you need to make some decisions. I know your wedding date is important for you, but if you are hesitant, do not force this. It is a big decision requiring life-style changes & financial investment. You need to be both disciplined & patient. Perhasp, for your big day some artful makeup would be wiser. Then, once the whirlwind of wedding planning & honeymooning is over, you can decide with a clear cool head.

 

[Laila]

I'm wondering if perhaps I should begin by using the papaya soap. We have quite a few Asian stores here; I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find a local place to get a hold of the Likas soap. I just want to be bright and even toned for the wedding. After that, as you ladies suggested, I might have more time to start the serious process of skin lightening.

I'm such a lazy cow.

 

[ondine]

Better to take your time & be certain about what you want. Do try the Likas; it might be right for you. If not, since it is inexpensive, you risk little.

 

[GoddessOfEarth]

If you want to try soap, for now, I suggest getting Bio Claire and Fair & White Exfoliating Lightening AHA(orange). The Bio Claire soap may peel you, so get a good moisturizer. Aveeno Positively Radiant is a good moisterizing lotion.

Aveeno=WalMart(for me)

Soaps=Local black beauty supplies

 

[ondine]

GoddessOfEarth,

Please tell me about this bio-claire soap. What does it contain & what does it claim to do? Is it a kojic acid soap?

 

[Laila]

I'd like to know too, Goddess.

 

[GoddessOfEarth]

It's a skin lightening soap. It peeled me like crazy for nearly a week, but I exfoliated off a shade.

 

[ondine]

A few others here are saying the sme thing about this product. After my Likas dwindles away, I'll try the bio Claire. Thanks for the idea!