Dark face, neck, and lips

by Amanda
(California)

Hi i am a 16 year old African-American girl with very dark face, neck, and lips. I feel like a freak. Although most of my body is very discolored, I am overall fair.

I love to wear low tops and just recently have started wearing SPF 70 to combat this tanning problem. It seems that everytime I step out in the sun i turn a shade darker, regardless if I wear sunscreen or not.

Although I'm black, does it just mean I tan easily? I have tried many skin whitening products already such as kojic acid cream 4%, retin-a with fair and flawless cream, and diana stadlers papaya kojic acid soap howver have only gotten patchy results with pretty much no improvement.

Is there any other product that an return me to my original color? And for my lips? My lips are so dark people think I smoke too much!

Answer:

Hi Amanda, try to use a mild skin lightening soap like the Diana Stalder Black Soap. It will be more appropriate for face, neck and even the lip areas. The Papaya Kojic Soap might be a little strong for your young skin.

However, if you're adventurous and engage in too much sun exposure, you will not solve your uneven skin tone problem. The sun is the main cause why the affected areas are darker than the rest of your body, even with sun protection. You see, sunscreen can NOT totally block sun damage, but only controls it. If you stay under the sun for more than an hour, you will still tan further.

Therefore, use the Black Soap as your regular wash (also on the lips but moisturize with rich lip balm at bedtime), wear sunscreen daily, and get the least sun exposure that you can. This way, you'll achieve your goal much better. :)

Maria