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Hi guys,
Been lurking for a while and would like to share with you my mequinol experience with you, albeit its just been day! I got my MQ from Goldpharma and it arrived within 2 wks of purchase. I use RA .1% along with the entire tube of MQ mixed with 4 oz of cocoa butter (fruits of the earth one). I mixed everything in a jar making sure that it is closed tightly. Last night I applied to wet skin. My skin felt cool like for 5 minutes. I applied this all over my body. This morning I re-applied to wet skin and got the same cooling/tingling experience. I am not sure if this will work but will update in a few days.

Porcelainskin,

the Likas alone is not gong to achieve any significant lightening, but will help with exfoliation and brightening. I thought that you were going to do a series of peels and then start a HQ/RA regime.

That is what I thought too? You had said you were going to use peels long with the ret a andhq I believe. Have you changed your mind?

I agree, although likas really exfoliates the skin, brightens, and help with better absorption of skin lighteners.. it works best when used in conjunction with skin lighteners and sunblock to help prevent as much tanning as you can.

It also helps maintane your new shade, for awhile at least.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the concern. Yes I will be doing peels and other products in conjunction to the Likas. Which Makari is really good? And what products would you guys suggest are absolute essential for lightening, radiance, and correct a few blemishes/pigmentation? And I will definitely be using sun screen - anything above spf50 is good right? Is the neutrogena one the only good one?

you might want to avoid some neutragena sunscreens, a lot have unsafe chemicals some even sped up the rate of cancer
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this should clear it up regarding sunscreens to help you pick the best, or even look up any sunscreens you have to see if you should continue use.
good luck

You don't have to use Neutrogena, aveeno or even
Banana Boat will do. As for getting rid of blemishes you could use Proactive or the Obagi system which works really well and might even the tone but it is more medicated and I would not use it but once every couple of months or so if even that much.

For lighteners well, I can't really suggest as what may work for my may not work for you. Many get great results from hq but it can dry your skin and if not used with good sunscreen may darken you. I did use Fair and White which I know evend my skin and I believe lightend me but, you redarken quickly and I think I might be slightly darker but can't say for sure. I have never used Makari but know it is a good skin lotion but am unsure of its lightening abilities.

Okay sounds great, I cannot view for some reason the link you sent me regarding clearing out which sunscreen to use.. Please may you check if its the right one, or perhaps just copy and paste what it says? So which HQ is good for going 2 to 3 shades lighter? So if i use a good sunscreen, lets say spf50 or above, i wont darken at all? or? i am of black ethnicity, just for interest sake...

Well as I have said in previous answers to your posts the hq most use is 4%, 2% doesn't seem to really do much of anything. You will redarken if exposed to a lot of sun and if you do not use sunscreen. I do not how many shades the hq may or may not lighten you, all I can say is its a trial and error type thing. You have to try it to see and it takes a minimum of thirty days to see any real results.

Good luck and keep us updated

PorcelainSkin, apart from the neutrogena, do you have another sunscreen in mind. As, yes_I mean no mentioned, Arebama posted a study that indicated that the neutrogena may not be as good as we first thought. I am using La Roche Posay Anthelios XL which came out better in the review. I find it blends nicely into the skin, though I did prefer the neutrogena, but this could be another option for you.

I have to add that I know others have said that they saw no tanning when using this, but it is still very important that you practice sun avoidance a much as possible. I think you mentioned before that you sometimes use an ordinary umbrella when outside and it may be a good idea now to invest in a specialist UV parasol,so you know that you re getting better protection.

Like Alizee said, for most it is preferable to use 3 - 4 % HQ in order to attain results. This should be used in conjuction with retin A in order to help the HQ penetrate better and you will also find that it will be good for any blemishes as well and the general condition of the skin.

It is important to add that if you do decide to go down this route that you have to be very careful in the sun as both products make the skin more sensitive to the sunlight and therefore can cause darkening. Retin A should only be used in the night with the HQ and if you can avoid the sun, then HQ can be used in the day as well on it's own without the Retin A.

Let us know if this is what you wish to try and then suggested links can be provided where you can purchase from.

hey guys, ur info is so invaluable and much appreciated. i am definitely thinking bout what u all suggested, but would like to know, what is specialist UV parasol? and la roche posay found? there are a few suncreens in the local store so im wondering, what ingredients should i be looking out for? so if i use the HQ, ret-a, sunscreen, umbrella, ill be fine right? tell me, some1 had mentioned that there was a 4% HQ that u can find in any pharmacy, does any1 know the name of that? and whether its effective? u see im trying to get products that r convenient to get and not just ones u can order online coz sometimes shipping takes long... which products are only available online and which can i buy at any drug store? the lactic acid/TCA peels?

PorcelainSkin,

if you would prefer to buy your sun protection locally then maybe the next time you visit the store you could jot down the name and see if it is on the list that has been posted regarding the effectiveness of it and then make an assessment as to whether to buy.

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otherwise if La roche is not available locally you can google online for it. The one I am using is the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50. I purchased mine from ebay, but now realise I can also get it locally.

This is what I meant about getting an umbrella that actaully protects against UV rays. Am I correct that you mentioned you use an umbrella when you are out and about?
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Not sure how readily available HQ 4% is but some members purchase from All Day Chemist. Here is the link. The one you want is called melalite. By all means you can inquire locally whether they stock 4 %

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You can also purchase Retin A from the same site. Again you can check in your area if you can get it there instead

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It is preferable to start off at a low percentage Retin A, to allow your skin to adjust to it and avoid unnecessary irritation. Something like the 0.025% or 0.05 % gel should be fine. Whilst the items themselves are cheap, the shipping at All Day Chemist is high at $25, but this can be offset by buying in bulk, if you wish

Yes I use an umbrella wherever i go, the sun is terrible, so harsh and humid. does pharmacies often stock TCA peels?

I have never seen them where I am and have had to buy online. You may want to start off with a milder peel such as lactic acid which I personally feel is preferable, if you have not done a peel before.

but what do i use to lighten my body? i can wash with likas papaya both on my face and body, what lotion/cream do i use for my body? coz if i use the peel, HQ, likas all for my face, and perhaps use the TCA peel on my knees and elbows, what else do i use? what is a good facial and body exfoliators? i dont have to tone my face after i cleanse my face, right? since it will be peeling anyway? i'm thinking, are they no long -term effects to these regimens at all? as in bad aging?

Will Ret-A not work on its own without the MQ?

no i have not used peels before so i can try it for my face. i am only 22, wont this effect how i will age? im just worried about the long term effects?

You might want to look into getting UVB blocking tinting on your car windows as I have.

You can use hq on your whole body but you must be cautious as this is a chemical that is used to treat skin marks such as acne, scars, blemishes etc. I do not belive you can buy hq over the counter. You might be able to buy lotions that contain 2% or less but I doubt you could buy the high percentage ones; it is a medication.

Yay. I picked up my retin A from the post office and got my Mequinol from goldpharma in the mail today. guess I'll be starting tomorrow.

okay Alizee, sounds good.. but for lightening my body, what HQ lotion can you recommend?

Well melalite is the hq some buy from alldaychemist. If you want lotions that have hq in it already I'm not sure. I do know that fair and white was at one time tested to contain 8% hq qhich explains why it works so fast, but if it still does I am unsure. There are maany creams which contain 2% or less hq in them but how affectie they are is a toss up.