I have some more questions if you don't mind sharing your views further.
1. To whiten my skin I had to use fair and flawless product twice a day (morning and evening). I asked Fair and Flawless about whether the results were permanent and the answer was no. In which case I enquired about how should I use the product the maintain the result I have achieved so far. I was told that I can reduce it to once a day. Given that the product is very expensive, I am worried about the maintenance side of things. So I would like your opinion on this matter.
2. I am considering making my own body moisturiser with vitamin e and sepiwhite and any other whitening or supporting natural ingredients. Are you able to advise on how I might be able to do this. And also is sepi-white readily available?
Thanks
Answer:
Hi Gazelle, to answer your questions -
1. That is correct - there is no permanent skin whitening, except when vitiligo patients are treated with monobenzone to even out the discolored skin color. For normal skin conditions, maintenance is needed when using skin lightening products which requires minimal usage after you've reached your desired skin tone. Reducing it to once a day is appropriate, or to a level which you feel is needed for your type of skin.
2. I am not a fan of mixing personal concoctions especially for skin. Unless it has been proven to work, go ahead. But remember, though it may have worked for one, it is not sure it will work for you too because you have your own skin sensitivity.
Hope that helps.
Maria
Feb 18, 2009 Rating
Searching for an effective whitener by: Anonymous
Dear Maria,
I have to say I am super-impressed by the promptness and well thought-out responses. I am very grateful to have you as my sounding board.
I understand completely why you are not able to guarantee results for any particular brand as each person's skin responds differently due to many factors such as genetics, lifestyle and other factors that the skin might have been exposed to. Having had success with fair and flawless, I now know that my particular skin responds to the active ingredients found in their products. Therefore, as much as I would like to try out Diana Stadler products, I think it might be best if I use another product that uses similar active ingredients as fair and flawless(eg. Sepiwhite). With your extensive knowledge in this area, I would be very grateful if you could recommend such a product. NB: I wasn't aware that Sheisido made potent whitening products. If so they are not available here over the counter.
Furthermore, with regards to doing a patch test for 2 weeks with a new product, I was actually thinking of doing a test for 2-3 months. I know that seems like a long time. But this is how long it took for me to get results from fair and flawless. I personally believe that cells in our body take 60-90 days to renew and consequently this is how long it should take for your body to react to anything that is natural and gentle, which I believe Fair and Flawless semi-custom forumulations are.
Thanks Gazelle
Answer:
Hi Gazelle, I understand your preference for the same ingredients that have worked nicely for you. I would do the same. :)
Regarding sepiwhite, Environ and Nutra Luxe products have the sepiwhite ingredient in them. Try to research more about these brands.
Our skin renews itself every month, specifically 28 days. The dead skin cells can get trapped and clog pores if we don't properly exfoliate. That's why skin care products play an important role in maintaining healthy skin.
I wish you luck in your quest for a new skin lightening product that will work for you. :)
Maria
Feb 18, 2009 Rating
Fair and Flawless Question by: Gazelle
Dear Maria,
I would like to try out other products in order to not rely on fair and flawless products anymore. But that is a very difficult challenge because I don't want to lose the results that I have already achieved with their products. And also I believe that one shouldn't mix products from different companies as the active ingredients in each can compromise the effectiveness of the end result if not cause undesired side effects.
So my question for you is:
1. Is their a brand or product out there that is as potent and effective as fair and flawless and also hopefully compatible with their ingredients that I can try out.
2. What should be my plan of action should be in doing the trial and error with other products? I was thinking of doing a patch test on part of my skin that is not exposed. In which case, how long should the test last before I can rule out a) Any regression of the lightening effect I have already received from fair and flawless b) new product's effectiveness in achieving the same result.
Thanking you in advance for your response.
Thanks Gazelle
Answer:
Hi Gazelle, I posted this follow up question by clicking the "Comments" link below the page of your first post. This will serve as your exclusive "mini-story" portion for me to monitor and follow your questions in order. You can do the same for your succeeding questions.
1. In response to your concern, it is your decision to choose what skin whitening brand to start anew. It would be stupid of me not to recommend our products, but we don't guarantee results as everyone is different with his/her own unique skin sensitivity. But I can promise you of a high quality, safe and potent formulation in the Diana Stalder skin whiteners.
Makari and Shisheido are other good brands. Likewise, its effect on your skin cannot be determined until you try any one of them.
Just make sure you rest your skin from the last skin lightener you used before indulging in another brand. What is bad is using different brands at the same time, but one at a time is fine.
2. A week-long patch test is enough to test if you won't get any negative effects from other brands, although this short might not show an immediate improvement, if you're still targeting to lighten what you have right now. Two weeks might be a good time line to see if a product will work for you.
