Skin lightening for a newbie?

[lethean_reverie]

Hello! I'm very new to skin lightening, the only thing I've tried using is lemon juice to lighten my face, which isn't working very well. I've tried using lighter foundations to get a lighter skin-tone (just on my face), but this is the lightest I could get. What do you suggest to lighten my face/arms/everything? Any home remedies?, or specific

Comments

[lemenfrost]

Well ... heres what I've done for the past couple of years, I don't go out in the sun much when its sunny or I carry a parasol around with me, or I just dont go outside. But yes...just like in the U.S. there are tanners right? Well in asia all you see is skin lighters ... but they sell them anywhere :D so go into your local drugstore or if not check out this website...

http://whiterskin.com/
http://lighterskin.org/

As for home remedies...the best I can give you now is... to just avoid direct sunlight as much as possible

[lethean_reverie]

Whaa? Are you saying that a local drugstore in the US would carry skin lighteners? I just assumed all they sold here was tanners!
Thank you for the links!

[rirakkumiru]

I haven't experienced many lighteners, but I use Nivea. It's alright. I don't think it has changed my skin 3 shades though...I have been using this cheap stuff called Carmine Lotion. It's basically a medicated liquid and it's cheap as hell in Japan. Seriously it's like 3 bucks and I think it works well. It helps clear up acne, too. Anyways, good luck on your quest!

[lethean_reverie]

Do you get those online? (if so, can you link me to where you buy it?) Is it more like a foundation, or does it actually lighten the skin?
Thank you for your reply!

[rirakkumiru]

I get them in the pharmacy cause I live in Japan...but they might be available if you got the searchin' skills (or not, I don't know). It's not a foundation. It smells like a toner and it's half clear liquid and half pinkish and you have to shake it before you use it. Anyways, you can use it daily and if you burn just put some on ASAP.

[lemenfrost]

Well the fastest way is for you to go to a dermatologist and get a prescription medication but, use Avon's fade cream. it is one of the lighter feeling ones and has a decent scent. Esoterica is also good. If you use the fade cream in combination with Retin A, you will get much faster results.

You want something that has alot of hydroquinone, BUT don't get too much or you'll have michael jackson skin. Or just go to walmart, most of the OTC fade creams have 2% but the one at wal mart is fairly cheap, its 3% so it beats the prescription on by 1%, so I highly recommend the last one!

[lethean_reverie]

Thank you so much for your answer! :D
What is the OTC fade cream at WalMart called? I don't know anything about the stuff ^^;;

[lemenfrost]

Oh sorry ^^ got into it so I forgot to mention the name... "Nadinola" You could probably go check wal marts website or go into the store and ask an employee for it :D <---preferably a girl employee, the male ones would just stare at you

[existhere]

I've compiled a list of DIY lighteners here. Wiki also has a list of popular topical treatments here.

Personally I'd stay far away from hydroquinone. In the US, HQ content of any fade cream is 2% or less by law. Anything higher must be obtained through a dermatologist, which is restricted up to 4%. Michael Jackson reportedly used 4% HQ though I suspect this was for maintenance and theorize he underwent full body chemical depigmentation, but I digress... Many countries have banned HQ in cosmetics; there's a short article here.

Regardless of what you do to lighten your skin you won't be able to maintain that without prevention, in some cases you may become darker. Avoidance of direct sun exposure, religious application of UVA/UVB sunscreen, eating foods high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, staying well hydrated, etc.

Though judging from your FB profile picture (your photo link didn't work) you appear to be pale already. I suspect you may just need to begin a preventative routine instead of using harsh lighteners.