Thread: Any super pale people use skin lighteners...?

...to fade out sun damaged areas?

So, I'm a super white redhead who basically can't tan.

But despite my vampiric habits of avoiding the sun and wearing lots of sunblock, I have over the decades accumulated some sun damage on my collarbone area, tops of my lower arms, and hands. Now it is like I have a permanent, year-round farmers tan in these areas. I'm a biologist and have to do field work in hot areas -- sometimes even spf 50 sunblock, hats, gloves, long sleeve shirts, etc. isn't enough.

Part of the damage is manifest as rudiness, and I don't expect anything to fix that. But part of it is freckles. Well, at least they used to be freckles in my youth, but the freckles kinda grew up into blotchy age spots.

I bought some "Nadinola" skin lightener. Yes, I know the hydroquinone is harsh and bad for you long term, but I'm wondering if I can just use it a while, fade out the damage, and then just be extra careful not to get any more sun on these areas. I just want my skin to be all the same color all over.

Can anyone tell me their experiences with this kind of product? I've used it about a week and can't see any difference.

I haven't used that product, but I'm using the Obagi system to get rid of my sun damage. I like it and it works. You have to get it from a doctor (dermatologist) though.

I think there is an ages old product called Porcelana that has been on the market for decades. So I would think it has stood the test of time and must work pretty good.

I feel like there was a thread about this earlier, but you can use lemon juice as well. It's a natural source of AHAs and is a natural lightener.

Skin Lightening and Depigmenting Agents: eMedicine Dermatology
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Originally Posted by Fotia

I think there is an ages old product called Porcelana that has been on the market for decades. So I would think it has stood the test of time and must work pretty good.

i'm fair, i live on the desert. bad combo. i've used this for yeeeaaars & it helps. it's not going to make life long sun damage go away but it does keep my arms light enough that i don't look like i have *farmers tan*

i also use alpha hydroxy products. retin A. just about any lighteners, peelers.

one thing about these products because they are basically sluffing off skin you will look red & get zits & look awful for a few weeks. i calm it down with medicated lotions.

this is something you do when you have no plans to perform.

Hi there PPP:s!
(Pale Porcelain Princesses)

Have some inexpensive but effective recommendations for you:)

I was a sun(and sunbed)worshipper in my youth...chloasma around the mouth and on the forehead ended that.

Had VERY GOOD results(spots GONE like nothing was ever there!) after using these two products:

Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion with 2% Hydroquinone & Glycoic Acid - Treatments: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

Exfoliating 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel using Glycolic Acid (AHA) - Exfoliants: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

I use Neutrogena sunscreens,but my two favorites are from Japan.

Sofina sunscreen is:
- Anti-sweating and water proof.
- Non greasy(at all)
- Can be used as make up base(good primer in summer)
- No fragrant and colouring.
- No visible residue.
It has is PA+++,which is the highest protection level against UVA in Japan.

And...
Sana CoverCom!

An inexpensive but wonderful powder that I brush or pat on face,arms and cleavage.
It protecs with spf 50+ and PA+++.
Light beige fits skintones NC15-NC20 in MAC.
(a must have for pale girls;to protect against new spots)

Sorry,double post!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

Had VERY GOOD results(spots GONE like nothing was ever there!) after using these two products:

Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion with 2% Hydroquinone & Glycoic Acid - Treatments: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

Exfoliating 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel using Glycolic Acid (AHA) - Exfoliants: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

Ooh, I like that she sells sample sizes! I've been allergic to some of these products I've tried in the past, but I've got a spot or two of sun damage that I would love to get rid of.

Use SPF shirts. With normal shirts, the sun gets through eventually.

I would think a retinoid would help. Maybe your dermatologist would prescribe something pharmaceutical grade. You have to avoid sun while you take it, but duh, that shouldn't be a problem for you!!

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

Use SPF shirts. With normal shirts, the sun gets through eventually.

Oh, I do that now. SPF 50, buttoned at the wrists and up under my chin like a nun. But I spent years thinking just sunscreen was going to take care of me.

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

Ooh, I like that she sells sample sizes! I've been allergic to some of these products I've tried in the past, but I've got a spot or two of sun damage that I would love to get rid of.

Glad to help-I´m too sensitive for many products;so being able to try before buy is a must.

Here are links to buy samples of Sofina sunscreen+the Sana powder foundation:
Sofina Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF50 PA+ Lucent - eBay (item 380121664366 end time Jul-31-09 09:48:00 PDT)

SANA COVERCOM Makeup Face Powder SPF50+ Light Beige - eBay (item 380105917630 end time Jul-21-09 10:08:10 PDT)




Sofina got 4.5 of five from 164 reviewers on Makeupalley,
CoverCom means cover compact(I brush it on with a kabuki)

I've used this for sun freckling/damage and it does work (for me) but you need to make sure you use a high SPF.

MaMa Lotion - Malic and Mandelic Acid Skin Care

....packaging looks different though, hope they haven't rebranded in to something crappy.

I use Ambi brand fade cream and I love it. The formulation for oily skin feels nicer than the regular, and it is 2 percent hydroquinone. It doesn't have any acids in it so it doesn't irritate though I do suggest gentle exfoliation every few days. If you keep at it, applying it twice daily you will see a difference in a week. Three weeks to a month and it will be remarkable!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

Hi there PPP:s!
(Pale Porcelain Princesses)

Have some inexpensive but effective recommendations for you:)

I was a sun(and sunbed)worshipper in my youth...chloasma around the mouth and on the forehead ended that.

Had VERY GOOD results(spots GONE like nothing was ever there!) after using these two products:

Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion with 2% Hydroquinone & Glycoic Acid - Treatments: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

Exfoliating 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel using Glycolic Acid (AHA) - Exfoliants: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

Emma-Bessa,

How do you use these? Do you alternate? Use both at the same time?

Thank you!

I would definitely suggest you might want to google natural solutions like citrus acid and I cannot recall a few other fruit or vegetable stuff now.. in case you have not tried it it might be worth a try.
freckles in the face are said to disappear with lemon juice (pure and fresh) applied over the winter months. forever - or until the next damage is done :)

I would be extra careful with the chemical stuff. I think it was on bhuz in another thread I shared some experience with about 2 years of skin problems in the face after about 1,5 years of occasional (good product) application of tanner... and I tend to think the whitening chemicals are unlikely to be less aggressive..

I read in a magazine recently that RIT has an additive to deposit SPF onto clothing during the wash. It lasts about 20 washes and seems fairly inexpensive.

RIT: Sunguard Protection