For anyone currently using these 2 from All Day Chemist, can you tell me what your experiences were, or have heard, or if your currently using them can you give me thoughts on this?

Yes I had used hq 4%/ra 0.05% from ADC for about 4 months with success. There is what I call the "ugly stage", due to some areas lightening faster than others (depending on the thickness and area) and skin is exfoliating at a faster speed. But, within about 2 months I saw much improvement.

I read good things about the place and their products. I did go to their site a few times before and I was wondering how well their kojic acid works. I'm sure there are a few other legitimate stores online, although limited in number, this is one of the few.

I personally have only tried their Retin A, which I have found to be comparable to other retin A products I have purchased elsewhere. With the HQ, the reviews I have read, are a little mixed with what looks like the majority finding it ok but others not finding the results as good as they had hoped. As it is relatively cheap, I guess it is worth a try and see if it also works for you.



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Really, many are having mixed reviews? Maybe the % is too much or it isn't diluted enough for people's skin. You know, I still have 2 tubes left I was saving as a backup of when I really run out.

I do think part of it is sometimes really down to peoples expectations as well. Wanting to see results like yesterday, especially when others say that it works for them. The good thing for you GG, is that you have seen that it works for you, so there should be no problem with it being your back up. I just keep coming across people not quite happy with it, but as I said, the majority find it works for them.





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It would be sweet for the more natural lightening products to dramatically lower their price. Even the F&W and Nads I'm using contains hq, but I plan to switch back to something more natural as a maintainance and maybe later use hq as a backup perhaps. Some may consider hq as a permanent solution, but I think it being used as a temporary solution for those who may find it effective. That's sad that some aren't getting more pleasant results from hq. Kojic acid, alpha arbutin, lactic acid, vitamin C are a few of the other available options to use, more effective when combined.

I just started using thier Retin a, so far it works but I am not sure to compare it to what or if my comparison would be fair.
I first started using 0.01% gel from UK pharmacy but it was expensive, it worked very well, and I have peeled sheets of skin, will post picture, I think I have put too much.
I just tried the ADC retin a 0.025% cream, for about two weeks now, at first it didn't sting like my gel did, so I applied too much again! after two days my leg was sore, and had so much peeling, 4 days and I am still suffereing from the peel. So it works, please be careful, pea size all what I needed.

I agree that a small pea sized amount is all that is needed. It is very easy to go overboard and then feel the consequences later.

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I also got my Ra?HQ from alldaychemist, I've been using the HQ for 4 days so i can not testyfied if it works or not, but the RA .1% is working, today is my second day using it and im peeling in my face like an snake, mind you that i skiped a day, well but im also started using the likas papaya soap which today is also my second day using it, so either one most be working...lol

If the retin-a begins to irritate your skin, cut back to everyother day or every 2 days, to help avoid skin becoming overexfoliated or scarred since 0.1% is one othe strongest strengths.

Im using it every other day now, but in case i get irritated by it i surely will take your advice.
thanks

I started using HQ4% and RA.1% since the beginning of this week on my face and neck. The peeling is maddening and I have to mask it with a lot of moisturizer in the mornings. I use it only at nights and before putting on makeup during the day, I use a ton of moisturizers to hide the peeling. My neck is peeling like crazy too! ADC offers quality products for the best prices out there!

Well friends I thought I would give you all an update. I feel like I could just cry. Let me explain. For those of us who have had significant lightening in the facial area I am finding that the RA/HQ combo is perhaps to harsh as our skin is probably a bit thin already. The RA I purchased is 0.05 %. I have been using this combo for about four days and they peeling is severe. This morning I did my usual face cleanse and noticed that the area between my jaw bone and check bone has began to bleed on one side (Hopefully I will not have a huge bruise there!). So, I have decided to go back to my previous exfloilator which is St. Ives Apricot scrub used with a facial sponge.

For those who are lightening their bodies I think the RA/HQ mix will work well.

Indigo,

I am so sorry to hear of the problems you are currently having. Usually most people start off at 0.025%, if they are not used to retinoids and perhaps the percentage you have is a bit too high for your skin and has now over exfoliated this area. I know that you said that you have stoppped using it, but if you do decide to go back then, when you reintroduce it, only use it every few days as opposed to daily and see how it goes. For now, I would avoid any kind of exfoliation and I hope that the skin heals very soon.

Just to add and to clarify, it is really important that only a tiny pea sized amount of retin A is used. It does not seem like much but that is all that is needed and too much can cause problems. And for those who also want to weaken the Retin A, it can be helpful to apply a moisturiser about 20 minutes or so after the retin A to buffer the effects of the retin A.

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Aloe vera and vitamin E oil should help with the healing process, once the cut starts to heal.


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I'm sorry to hear about the Ra Indigo. For the 0.05% I agree with Maharani, you can wait until your skin heals and then later dilute it with a lotion such as Eucerin. For irritation, I would sometimes use neoprosone gel, aloe vera gel, or raw shea butter also to help reduce skin irritation and dryness..if none are on hand even vaseline can help some.

Give your skin about a week to heal and discontinue using any acidic or other products that exfoliate, including acne products. Instead use cool water and pat dry with a soft wash cloth and sunblock so that healing will not be slowed any further.

With the hq 4%, it helped when I cut back and used once at night everyother evening, same for Ra. You can also apply the Hq first, wait about 10-15 minutes and then apply the Ra after applying the hq. Please keep us updated.

Indigo,

Just wanted to know how things have been going and hoping you have been healing well. I hope this incident did not spoil your birthday. Let us know how you are.

In the end yes it did leave a small bruise on my face. I decided to give my skin a break and stopped my regime. My face has darkened well past my natural shade. My body is still my natural shade because I never got that far in the lightening process but now my face is darker than my body!!!! The moral of this sad tale is you have to stick with the regime.

I am starting all over.

Does anyone have any ideas for a quick fix? I was looking forward to going on a date soon. Maybe I will just say I am feeling ill ( ha!).

Indigo,
Glad to hear back from you. I take it that your skin has fully healed then? I am sorry that you bruised, like you feared. It was a good idea to give everything a break to allow your skin to recover. I know that a lot of people would have carried on regardless.

The thing is that really you need to be doubly cautious, after what happened and I don't think that any quick fixes would be advisable. It is a real bummer when you feel like you have gone back to square one and regressed even more. I guess the good thing is that you know that your regime was working, until you stopped and so you know how to go forward from here and what to take care with.

The thing is I remember your pic and as far as I am concerned you will still look hot on your date. But I totally understand if you felt happier in your previous shade, so I can only wish that you get back there soon. Do let us know how you get on.

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Indigo I'm sorry to hear that had happened. Hq/Ra can be a harsh regimen of it's own, what has helped me as I have sensitive skin if I cut back on Hq to 1x daily or 1-2x everyother day and Ra 3-4x weekly, and neosporin from the drug store (not neoprosone..lol) to help with irritation. My progress would slow a bit by doing this, but less irritation and still progress.

Also, if you want to breeak away from Ra you can possibly eventually switching to adapalen which which I believe Maharani uses and is a milder form of vitamin A. adapalene 0.1% is the equivalent to Ra 0.05% in effectiveness. Though I'm unsure if adapalene at this strength of 0.1% is as irritating or not. Theres also Hq & Caroteine nourishing creme, but is a weaker strength in comparison to ra.

But as Maharani had mentioned, I don't know any quick fixes...unless your interested in covering it with a good concealer & foundation.

Yes I have used adapalene, which I initially wanted to use so I would not experience as much peeling as I did with the RA. I found this necessary as I work with the public and flaking skin was not a good look. It also helped my skin be more prepared to try retin A again without it being such a big problem.

GG,

how do you find the neosporin helps you then ?

I am finding that the problem more than likely started because I was using to much RA. I was re-applying every time I washed my face.

I am continuing with my prior regime but have incorporated Niacin 500mg.

As far as the quick fix is concerned....I wish there was a way to just "shock" my skin back to the previous shade [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]