So I went through with my second TCA Peel...

Just did my TCA application (12.5%). I'll keep this one short. It hurt soooooo bad! So bad! My thoughts were "holy ----, holy ---- HOLY INSERT YOUR WORD OF CHOICE, OMG!" I'm still getting acquainted with the new neck skin from my first round* and it is a weak thing comparatively! I didn't realize how thick my previous hide was until just now. It's still thick enough that glutathione soap does nothing for it, but 2 layers of TCA! See previous!!

Ironically, my face** handled 2 layers like a champ, but that's probably because the first time around I accidentally put on 3 layers. Oh, well!

I know a lot of people use emu oil but I personally prefer to glob on Bert's Bees Res-Q Ointment. It's very effective and cheap. One container lasts four weeks (or two applications) if you apply it correctly and conservatively. Roughly one week after the application I apply Carotein to the dead skin to help encourage fast, more even peeling. Also, I've been applying Nadinola to the exposed skin as a preventative towards re-darkening. The first time I applied a TCA peel my neck lightened considerably, but gradually darkened a bit. Don't get me wrong! I was still four shades lighter than when I'd first started (and this was without any other lightening agent), but it still could have been lighter. So this is my preventative.

*I've applied TCA to my neck before, same concentration. It's very effective for my neck, it's just painful to apply and the downtime is annoying. All in all, beauty is pain and this pain is worth it!

**I apply sparring amounts around my lips and cheek bones.

Week Three?

I think, I'll check!

I stopped noticing results, personally. =P However, my mom mentioned to me that she can now tell my neck is getting lighter (where as previously she couldn't tell). Right now I am considering doing a TCA, but I'm not sure yet. Thinking.

Week Two

Not much notable change since my last report. It's too early to tell, so we'll be waiting on week three. Today I am letting the glutathione soap just rest on my neck. I am waiting on the RA to ship here from ADC. :3

ETA

Though to be fair: the hyperpigmentation on my sides seem to be fading a bit.

First Review of the Season

Well, here it is!

After one week the optimist in me has observed that the HQ is slowly working! I can compare the very edge of my neck on one side to the other side I didn't apply as carefully to and it appears to be at least a shade lighter. I also noticed a few days ago that around my mouth it looks as if I'd applied a thin layer of foundation without doing so, indicating that the marks there are fading as well. I'm clearly excited, however the skeptic in me has decided that on the 50/50 scale I must lean towards a "no clear results." I've been very diligent with the HQ, but not as diligent as with the Carotein, especially since it really does nothing for my neck. I am going to save for RA for my neck.
The rest of my body has responded very well to the Carotein, however. I've already nearly completely evened out the scars around my belly button. Happy day!

Week One:
HQ- Possibly working.
Carotein- for the most part exfoliating.

Plans:
When I am out of these brands I will be putting my order in with ADC. I'm very excited! But of course, that is pending results at the end of week 4.

One Week

I'm now tracking my progress with Carotein and HQ! While I'd been using Carotein for a while longer than HQ (two weeks-ish?) I will start the mark with when I first started HQ! The one week marker will be Wednesday.