Sunspots! What to do?

[anne]

So, the sunspots are here to stay. On my temples, on my upper cheek area, even on my forehewad.

The ones on my temples are the worst. Orange-y, look like freckles but, so unattractively, are not. (Yes, I realize that was not a real word!)

The very light tan has disappeared already, but the sunspots, of course, stayed. Ok, how to get rid of them? They make me feel realize I am becoming an old lady. Uneven skin tone is not nice at all. Isn´t it enough to fight pimples, blocked pores, wrinkles, naso-labial and other lines? Rant, rant!

I haven´t used Diacneal for a while, I´ve mostly used BC only, do you think Diacneal and Eluage would help, or do I need to buy arbutine products? Please advice!

I like the way I look and feel after a bit of sun. What a pity there´s the price to pay.

[sau]

I am having the same concerns!!  Is laser the only way??

[Tupelo]

Here are some research based recommendations. Note that laster treatment is #4 on the list, so it is not the only method:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/179766-how-to-get-rid-of-sun-damage-spots-on-face/?utm_source=popslideshow&utm_medium=a1

[SusieQ]

I have some and have been toying with the idea of just going to see a derm. I've used the topical method and so far, nothing. I've been covering them for the most part, when I remember. 

[anne]

Aaargh! One page called them age spots or liver spots, also known as age-related freckles. May I opt for the last term for mine please?

[cara4art]

I know, the terms that people out there bandy about are so depressing. "Age spots" makes me think of these crinkled-up leathery old ladies in sunny areas that have never seen a drop of sunblock in their life LOL! Actually, they're sun spots, since that accounts for most of what they come from. Although some alternative practitioners also put it forth that they result from unhealthy fats present in the body being drawn to the skin's surface by the sun. Some people say that when they radically change their diet to a largely raw food one, their skin improves, including their sun tolerance to begin with. But everyone is different in their responses to anything with skin.
What also peeves me out is the blithe advice "the best way to prevent sun spots is not to get them in the first place" which doesn't do us older women any good. More about that in a minute! That might be fine for someone young because they haven't accumulated the damage yet. For a young woman, just getting onto the sunblock habit right now is all she'll need for a very long time as her anti-aging arsenal as it's the best preventative bet.
I have them too, and I have the unfortunate combo of this, plus reactive skin that rules out a lot of perfectly decent anti-aging, skin tone-evening products. However, if I got wind of something effective that would work for my skin type that I could half-way afford, I'd be on it LOL!
If it weren't for sun spots, my skin would actually look pretty good as it still has a little bit of oil(although not much now)making it slower to wrinkle, plus it is still reasonably tight at age 64. My jawline is still defined and I don't have all that much sagging, really. It's the &%* sun spots - ugh! Makeup only does so much - if one uses enough to cover the spots, it's too much for rest of the face. In this case, spot concealer can help, if one doesn't have too many spots that is.
Best of luck - I totally know how this feels. Like you, I look better with some color, since that tends to blend them in. That's the problem with getting onto skin care and sunblock for us - since the rest of the skin fades out from no sun, the remaining spots stand out, making our skin look WORSE than before we started up with the sunblock.
Even dermatologists tell our age group not to beat ourselves up - sunblock of any sort basically really wasn't around until the 80's and the higher SPFs required to really protect our faces and give the spots a chance to at least not get any darker weren't around until fairly recently(like the last 10-15 years at most). However, as first line of defense no matter whether one seeks out treatments or not, is sunblock, every day, no matter what the weather and whether one is going out or not. A broad-brimmed hat also. One medical esthetician told me that if I did NOTHING else, at least get onto a good sunblock for the rest of my life. Since I have somewhat reactive skin, finding a decent facial one was really challenging at the very least. But I do have one that I like now, the CosMedix Reflect SPF 30 which is titanium dioxide, a physical block.
If you do seek out treatment, the gold standard is generally some combo of skin lightener like Rx-strength hydroquinone, a Rx retinoid, and glycolic acid. Needless to say, at medical levels this is pretty strong and might not be for everyone - it depends on how tough a skin one has. Some people however have gotten results with OTC stuff although that route can take a very long time and not eliminate them entirely. Often the best-case scenario with using OTC products is somewhat fading the spots. There are a number of hydroquinone alternatives, since often this is contra-indicated for sensitive skin types. Look for ingredients that are near the top of the list in a product, like kojic acid, arbutin, mulberry, licorice. The combo of glucosamine and niacinamide is a newer and promising one. What counts is what finally works which ever route one takes.
Anyhow - hope this helps!

[Tupelo]

I think they are called "age spots" because the older we are, the more susceptible we are to getting them.

About the sunblock, cara, I'm curious as to why you'd wear it if you are not going outside. If I am staying indoors I don't apply sunscreen. I don't get UV exposure indoors.

I got rid of the age spots on my chest with mandelic acid. It took a few months. I don't have any on my face, and I'm not sure I'd use the acid there if I did. But some ladies may be able to tolerate it.

[anne]

Thank you Cara, very enlightening!

Tupelo, mandelic acid, eh? I think I´ll google that.

I had thought the sun spots would fade with the light tan. D´oh!!

I thought all the methods in the livestrong article were a bit frightening. (Yes, cluck cluck, that´s me!). You know, "Once the area heals and new skin forms"... 

I prefer inexpensive OTC. So...sunblock (though not during Finnish winter when our UV index is close to zero!), Eluage, Diacneal.

And when I will visit the derm for more fillers in 2012, I´ll ask for his advice and maybe for some more effective topical stuff.

[makinalist]

I have tried a couple of topical remedies with hydroquinone, from Paula's Choice and Alpha Hydrox.  No difference that I could see.  I only have some small spots near my eyes and one rather bigger one in the middle of one cheek.  On my face.

I do know this, anne -- there is not much point in investing much time or money in ridding yourself of these unless you commit to blocking the sun from your face.  They will only return, if you do not.  Actually, the remedy may even make you more sensitive to the sun's effects.

Be especially vigilant when you visit Florida, dear -- the sun there is much stronger than what you are used to.  With your coloring you can easily wear bronzer to warm up your look.  Concealer can be your friend also.

"I don't have any on my face."- Tupelo!  That is wonderful!

[anne]

Oooh Makinalist, but I love the sun, as I see it so rarely! I just love the flush on my face after having spent the early evening on the beach, in the late sun and the sea wind! And the lightest of tans. Although that does not seem worth the price anymore. My skintone is so much more uneven than in my youth.

Could I not just erase the damage / spots and then start over....?

But, your command is noted.   

In Florida, I´ll use Neutrogena 30 SPF on my face and decollete as otherwise I´ll burn badly. I´ll also avoid the midday sun and will probably visit the beaches (mmm...the lovely beaches with sea shells and the warmest water ever!) in the early morning or in the evening. I really cannot tolerate a lot of sun or heat, I get literally sick!

I´ve SPF on my shopping list, too, I´ll buy a couple of tubes more of Neutrogena as it works great for me, does not show, does not irritate!

I just googled & ordered samples from DianaYvonne, some green cream + Mandelic acid etc.

I wonder if I should have tried GoW first, oh well.

[cara4art]

Sounds like a good plan for Florida - sun protection has to have several prongs and you've got the bases covered. You MIGHT consider a higher-SPF product in the Neutrogena line since that brand works well for you. They do have the sunblocks based on their Helioplex which is their term for the combo of the chemical blocks, stabilized. The Neutrogena Sheer Dry Touch line is very good in this respect. I was using the SPF 70, and did fine with this for a year until my skin got sensitized from another product. To this day, I can't wear the Neutrogena Helioplex-based blocks any more - they burn my skin. One thing to keep in mind is that the higher the SPF in a chemical block the greater potential for irritation if one's skin is prone. Hopefully yours is not - it will make it easier to find effective products in general.

I do know what a bummer it is when one enjoys the sun and realizes that any exposure will make spots worse if you don't take care. The problem is compounded when one uses treatment products for the spots, which treatments do make one MORE sensitive to the sun. Another bummer is the fact that an impossible standard is being held up to mature women as in raised expectations of having an even-toned skin into old age. Very people people do naturally - if it is natural that's genetics talking - genetics influences skin a lot more than we think. More often that even-toned skin is the product of a lot of expense for products, treatments and totally religious sun avoidance for the rest of one's life. Still, some people battle the spots because they will come back the minute one lapses about sun exposure because treatments have now made the skin more sun-sensitive, or they have rebound pigmentation after all that trouble. Just sayin! However, there are also people who do use good stuff and are very happy with how they look as a result so it works both ways. Now, everybody gets bent out of shape if there's any skin tone unevenness at all - it used to be called just living and people didn't stress out so much about it because they didn't expect to still look like a doll in their 50s and up.

There's a balance between common-sense taking care of one's skin and enjoying life. If you enjoy going to the beach, don't quit - the being out in nature and getting some sun you crave after living in the far north is good for your spirit. Just go early or later in the day for a little while like you say. That way you get the enjoyment, and lessen the sun's impact. Less likely to get burned too - I know that Florida sun is STRONG - when I visited once many years ago in the early part of November, even though I tan very easily, I still waited until later in the afternoon to go to the beach because it was simply too hot otherwise.

Anyhow, best of luck! Let us know how it goes with products, etc. and how your skin is doing with the spots. I have heard good things about the GOW line.

[makinalist]

I do sympathize about wanting to get a little sun.  I grew up baking in the sun every summer and didn't stop until I was in my 30's, and even then I had some major setbacks!  I have to keep telling myself that I will be happier over time if I don't speed up the aging process for my skin.

That is not to say that you cannot enjoy going outside in sunny weather -- just use your SPF and wear a hat.  Always wear sunglasses  -- that is important, too. 

This is a case of not being able to have our cake and eat it too, I'm afraid.

[anne]

I finally received my order yesterday, applied some arbutin for the day, mandelic acid 16 % for the night. Either I am going mad or the worst sunspot is lighter AND has shrunk during the night. I look at my face with my 10x magnifying mirror every morning, tweeze my eye brows etc while using my bright light device.

On the other hand, it looks like I now have MORE very light sunspots near my hairline on my forehead. What is going on?

[Styyna]

On the other hand, it looks like I now have MORE very light sunspots near my hairline on my forehead. What is going on?

What a brave woman you are to use a 10x magnifying mirror in 10,000 lux!

2 ideas:

1. Could your bright light be illuminating spots you didn't notice before? Or, perhaps they are simply noticeable now that the worst spot is lighter?

2. Could warmth from the light (they vary in heat output) be increasing circulation and causing them to become more visible? If so, I suspect the worst one would be even lighter in regular lighting!

And a question: How do you do these things (tweezing, examining skin in a mirror) without raising your eyes so that they get a direct hit from your bright light?

[anne]

I do not mind getting a direct hit from the light! At least, the instructions that came with the device did not warn me not to....hmm, I guess I´ll re-read them right now...And, you are right, the light does warm my skin so it becomes blushed, even, so it may well be that the spots show more!

The mandelic acid must be some miracle stuff. I applied it last night along my jaw line, where the skin tone has been unevenly pigmented for years, a decade maybe, from the sun and acne scars? This morning, it was astonishingly even where I had applied the mandelic acid. I was really stunned! What a pity I only applied it to the lower jaw line, as the lower cheek was in need of evening the skin tone, too!

I had just written off the lower jaw line pigmentation as something that would be with me for the rest of my life, I had not even tried any stuff there!

I wonder if my skin could take mandelic acid twice a day....? If a little is a good thing...   

[cara4art]

@anne - Be careful! More is NOT better, especially when it comes to some actives, especially when you're already seeing benefits. I'd say stick with the once-per-day mandelic acid. Is this OK for reactive skin, or is this another thing that I personally should give a wide berth? I do have sunspots but despair of even beginning to treat them on account of having my type of skin, since most of the time-honored treatments are for much more resistant skin types. Sigh...

[Styyna]

I have to add my rave for M2 products here. I use their Exfoliating Cleanser and another product called Skin Refinish.

The products and use
The advertised actives in both are mandelic acid and malic acid.

I use M2 Exfoliating Cleanser as often as I feel like it, so about once every second day. The directions say to apply and wait 30 seconds before rinsing. I apply (from a pump) and spend the 30 seconds gently working the product into my skin. I can feel my skin become smoother in the process. If I want a little extra exfoliation, about once a week, I use a very soft washcloth to remove the cleanser before rinsing with lots of plain water.

I use M2 Skin Refinish 12% about once a week after cleansing my skin at bedtime. This product is available in a stronger, 20% version and, while I experienced no negative effects from using it, I always choose the mildest version of what works for me. It, too, comes in a pump bottle.

I'm on a "use it up" binge so I'm using miscellaneous light cleansers on non-M2 days and whatever light moisturizer I have at hand as I need it.

Sensitive skin?
My skin has become thinner and more sensitive over the past year but it's not very sensitive.

Not too long ago I was unable to give my skin the care and attention I should and it showed. As soon as I could, I started back with M2 products, cleansing daily and using the Skin Refinish 2x per week. Within a week my skin was back to normal.

I recall the first 2-3 times I used M2 products I felt something between a slight sting and a tingle. It was minor and I suffered no redness or other reactions.

I feel completely comfortable making these 2 products the centerpiece of my active skin care.

Results
I lived in Alabama during most of my teens and our goal then was to achieve the darkest tan possible, including severe burns "as a base" whenever we visited Florida (the foolishness of youth!). I continued tanning when I moved back to Minnesota well into my 20's. Fair-complected, I am all too aware of my skin cancer risk as a result of my youth. But. . .

Family and friends ask me how I keep my complexion so smooth and even. Well, I'm sure genes are part of it but I give M2 the rest of the credit.

Breakouts are completely a thing of the past. If I feel a bump forming, I leave it alone knowing that it will surface and be gone within a couple of days and no unsightly red marks. Same with blackheads. I have slight rosacea but this doesn't aggravate it at all. If anything, it seems to help reduce it a little.

Recommendation
Based on my multi-year experience, I highly recommend these products (or comparable products).

They are not terribly expensive - currently $27 for a 6.76 fl oz cleanser and $45 for a 1.7 fl oz Skin Refinish 12%, always ship free from SkinCareRx, and I always have a code for at least 20% off. Based on my minimal usage, I replenish the cleanser a couple times a year and the Skin Refinish less often - maybe once a year. A little product goes a long way.

It is easy to experiment with frequency and amount of product to find the right regimen individually. As cara4art mentioned, more isn't always better. That's why I was so happy to discover the lighter 12% version of the one product.

I tried M2's moisturizer and wasn't unhappy with it but it didn't seem to do anything special. And I don't like their packaging - a big round tub with a tiny tub of actual product inside and a push-top to dispense the product.

[anne]

So, yesterday night I applied my mandelic acid for the 3rd night in the row. Boy did it sting!!

This mornin,g the sides of my nose are peeling and red.

So, once a day seems to be too much for me.

But I am seeing results and my blackheads have almost disappeared!!

[makinalist]

Ah - you probably need to back off for a bit - at least until your skin gets more accustomed to the treatment.  Many of us are finding that every other night or even just twice a week is all we need for these stronger products.  That's what I decided to do with my peel pads.

You may need to be sure your skin is clean and dry before application, and wait 15 minutes before applying moisturizers, etc.  Good luck!

[makinalist]

Styyna - M2 is the new name for the previous MaMa line, correct?  I always thought they were for acne-prone skin and thus never paid any attention to them.  I'm all for evening skin tone, however, so maybe I should investigate further!  As long as they aren't drying, that is.

[Styyna]

Listy - Yes, I think you are correct about M2 replacing MaMa though I'm not clear about all the details.

I don't find it drying at all. In the summer after I apply Skin Refinish (which I guess would be termed a serum) at night I don't even use moisturizer over it. In dry weather I use a light moisturizer about 15 minutes or so after applying it. This is obviously a YMMV kind of thing depending on skin type.

Here are the SkinCareRx claims:

ABOUT THE PRODUCT
Healthy, calm, and beautiful skin is finally possible with M2 Skin Refinish 12%. If your skin is sensitive, irritable, or distressed, this 12% concentration of Mandelic and Malic Acids comfortably promotes an even skin tone, reduces breakouts, and smooths fine lines and wrinkles by resurfacing and clearing the skin. It is even gentle enough for those with  rosacea who want to eliminate redness and uneven skin texture.

Read an article by dermatologist and cosmetic laser surgeon Dr. Mark Taylor with information about rosacea and a before and after photo with amazing results using the M2 Skin Refinish 12%!

1.7 fl oz

WHO IT'S FOR
Ideal for those with hyperpigmentation, acne-prone, and aging skin that is sensitive and/or rosacea-prone, who want a smooth, clear, and bright complexion.

KEY INGREDIENTS
Mandelic Acid is naturally antibacterial. Malic Acid protects skin from damaging free radicals. Algae Extract moisturizes skin.


anne - Visible peeling and stinging with redness indicates to me (no expert!) that it's either too strong for your skin or being applied too frequently.

I am not well versed in the methods used by Retin-A (and other products) users to deal with similar reactions but I bet someone else here is and I wonder if they might help. Certainly, using your mandelic acid less frequently would be a possibility but if you still have the same reactions with less frequent application then maybe one of the other methods would be better.

As cara4art has often shared, you don't want to overdo anything but you are seeing results and hopefully you can make a simple adjustment to maintain the results without the unwanted reactions.

When I first started using M2, which is a combo of your mandelic acid with malic acid and (I just learned this) algae extract, I had a very slight tingly/stinging feel and a lot of "invisible" peeling. The tingly feeling went away within the first week and was not painful in any way, just something I noticed.

The peeling that I experienced went away less than two weeks after I began using M2 and I think it was the result of the exfoliation action on layers of dull, dry, dead skin. I call it invisible because I only noticed it when I rubbed my fingers on my skin, like when I blended tinted moisturizer out. I could feel little bits being balled up but only with a 5x magnifying mirror could I see anything.

IMHO, you are going through a similar but much stronger adjustment and if you can find a way to tone it down a little you might have a great product on your hands.

 

[cara4art]

Stynna - that's a great explanation of the M2 products from SkincareRx plus your own thoughts. It sounds like a great product really. Used carefully according to how one's skin reacts could be the ticket for those of us who don't have the resistant skins required for Retin-A, hydroquinone, or the pre-packaged Obagi routine which is basically a combo of AHAs, a Rx retinoid and Rx hydroquinone as the prime movers for hyper-pigmentation treatment. Obagi is not for the faint of heart or the really sensitive of skin however, and many people go through a period of looking a good bit worse before they look better, if at all. There's a reason why this stuff is Rx - it does need to be supervised.
But it's heartening to see that some newer alternatives available to more skin types are starting to appear. Skin science is moving along pretty fast it seems because there is a big demand out there and people like to look good.
Again, with an active, more is not necessarily better. It can send oneu right into major skin compromise and then one has to back off and heal the skin. The Voice of Experience speaks after an unfortunate experience with a too-strong AHA serum that really burned my skin.

[anne]

Wow. 

The sun spots / pigmentation are the same-ish, but the effect on the congested pores - wow. The pores on my nose are almost completely empty, and so nice, clean and tight. I´ve NEVER had results like this, except for the two times I was on Accutane! (And I look at my nose with my 10x mirror, with 10 000 lux light, so you can believe me, I can see what´s there!)

Have just written to GoW and asked them which of their MA products they would recommend for me, as the one from Diano Yvonne cost 20 $ for a teeny, tiny 4 ml vial.
 GoW has 1 oz samples that are chaper and 6 - 7 x larger.

I NEED THIS STUFF. It´s great!!

[ILuvLucy]

Hi Anne,
I love GoW, but also check MUAC. (Make Up Artist's Choice).

[Angelcat47]

To Tupelo: You may not think you need sunscreen indoors,but think about what the sun does to furnishings and such over time.I read something once by a famous dermatologist:(I'm paraphrasing here):If you don't need a flashlight,you need to apply sunscreen.

I will be 50 soon and I'm fighting wrinkles,acne,oily skin and hyperpigmentation.I have started to use Retin A again as it did help in the past,but I find I can only use the weakest strength every third night when I used to be able to use the strongest every night.Sometimes,this all feels like an uphill battle I just don't care to fight,but I guess I'm more vain than I thought I was!!

[makinalist]

anne - Be sure to tell us when you hear from GoW!

[anne]

Hi,

here´s what they told me in their reply:

"The seaweed is nutritive and detoxifying. If someone is not allergic to seaweed, I always suggest the one with
The alcohol of course helps the mandelic penetrate the skin even more so if someone isn't sensitive or too dry, I suggest the one with alcohol."

So, off to GoW web site I go!   

[Tupelo]

I used the GoW serum without the seaweed for the spots on my chest. I need to do another round after all the sun my chest got last week. Here's GoW's info page on it:

GoW Mandelic Acid 15% Serum [Yes Alcohol-No Seaweed] / .25 oz
View Cart (0) | Checkout
       
Price: $15.50
 
Availability: in stock 
Prod. Code: MA-17
 
Mandelic Acid 15% Yes Alcohol / No Seaweed
Ph 1.9 - 2.2

Product Information:

GoW Mandelic 15% Serum is a private blend of anti-oxidants, skin hydrators, alpha-hydroxy acids, skin conditioners and a 15% strength of Mandelic Acid! Mandelic acid lightens skin (especially when paired with our Lite n' Brite serum), reduces pore size, improves complexion, evens out skin tone and helps to lighten skin irregularities and hyper pigmentation. Evermat helps to control oil production. This particular strength is best to be used by those with experienced skin, and struggle with excessive acne, blemishes, and boils.

More Information About Mandelic Acid:

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps clear away dead skin cells that have built up on the skin's surface, and because of its smaller molecule size it can also work within the pore as well. Unlike glycolic acid, it cannot penetrate the skin's layers to enable deeper exfoliation, but it can help to refine pores. Mandelic acid has antibacterial properties.

Application Method:

If you are new to acids, use every three days. In total, exfoliate no more than 3 to 4 times per week.

Use on clean skin (skin can be dampened with hydrosol, toner or fruit mists, or it can be dry). Apply a few drops with clean fingertips, then wait 20 minutes before using any other products. The acid will self neutralize and then you can continue with your routine.

The exception to the 20 minute wait rule is that if the acids are very uncomfortable, then rinse immediately and build up a resistance to the acids over about a months time... increasing the length of time every few days.. acids are not meant to be comfortable as they are a remodeling tool.

Ingredients:

Distilled Water
- hydrant
- solvent
Rooibos (red) Extract
- excellent anti-oxidant
Mandelic Acid
- improves skin texture
- refines pore size
- lightens hyper pigmentation
- improves skin tone
- excellent surface exfoliant
Lactic Acid
 - gentle AHA exfoliant
Organic Grape Alcohol
- preservative
- astringent
L-lysine
- water binding
- moisturizing
- emollient
Sodium PCA
- natural moisturizer
- water binding to the skin
Panthenol B-5
- penetrating moisturizer
Sodium Lactate:
- ph adjuster
- moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid
- hydrates skin
- can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water
Malic Acid
- aids in the penetration abilities of Mandelic Acid
Evermat
- helps to control oil production
Optiphen
- broad spectrum paraben free preservative

http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/catalog/item/4013927/6016745.htm


 
 
 
 

[anne]

I placed my order for sample size 15 % Mandelic acid with alcohol, one with and one without sea weed. I love the way GoW offers its products internatinally, with low-cost postal fees!

Question: Does MUAC only have a web store or are the products available in beauty stores, too?

I wanted to order the 25 % Mandelic Acid peel earlier, but the postal costs were HUGE!

[ILuvLucy]

I'm pretty sure MUAC is online only.  Sorry - I didn't know about the shipping costs!

[makinalist]

That's what I think, too. Sorry, anne!

[anne]

Grr....my Garden of Wisdom order has gone missing!!

Also, I searched high and low for mandelic acid while in USA, but could not find any.

I run out of MA weeks ago, and the blocked pored on my nose are back.

I just ordered some more from Diana Yvonne.

I guess I´ll re-order from GoW, too, depends if they are nice about the loss of the order, haven´t received a reply yet. (Yes - even if they will not offer to re-send, which I naturally hope they will do, their attitude to the whole thing will mean a lot. Silly?)

[makinalist]

anne - did you have a confirmation email so you can check for delivery?  I don't know how it works in Finland, but would they have delivered it while you were not home?

[anne]

You cannot believe this, they replied ever so promptly, the same day, and a personal, lovely, friendly reply, telling me they´ll re-send for free!

I just cannot believe it!!

I told them I was astonished and so happy and would certainly tell others about their GREAT customer service. Unbelievable!! 

[Poppyfields]

That's wonderful, Anne.  Great to hear about good customer service these days.  Your attitude is not silly at all.  Few folks have money to lose on missed or bad deliveries.

[makinalist]

That is good news!

[ILuvLucy]

I'm so happy to hear this, Anne.  I've always had excellent service from GoW.

[Styyna]

I, too, am happy to hear of such great customer service in general and because I think I'll be turning to GoW in search of a mandelic and malic acids replacement for my M2 Exfoliating Cleanser soon due to a dramatic price increase.

Thanks for posting about your experience; I have increased confidence in GoW (not that I didn't think they were a good operation to begin with).

[anne]

I am still astonished with how extraordinary GoW´s customer service is.

You know how sometimes you get canned replies, or something that shows they haven´t really bothered reading your e-mail, or long delays in response, or even downright rudeness? GoW´s personal, sweet and funny replies really, really bowled me over. You know, I was ready to re-order the lost shipment as long as they reacted in a nice way. I never ever expected them to re-ship, too!

They will have one loyal repeat customer in Finland for sure!!

I truly hope I´ll love the mandelic acid products they send me.

This is what they told me when I asked them which product I should order, as they have a mandelic acid product WITH seaweed OR without, also WITH alcohol AND without, 4 different versions of the same product!

"The seaweed is nutritive and detoxifying. If someone is not allergic to seaweed, I always suggest the one with
The alcohol of course helps the mandelic penetrate the skin even more so if someone isn't sensitive or too dry, I suggest the one with alcohol. " 

I ordered samples sizes of

GoW Mandelic Acid 15% Serum [Yes Alcohol-Yes Seaweed] / .25 oz, price:    13.65

and

GoW Mandelic Acid 15% Serum [Yes Alcohol-No Seaweed] / .25 oz, price:    15.50

[Mim]

An excellent cream for sunspots and face, in general, is Erno Laszlo C-10.  it is terribly expensive but when I have used it in the past , it really did work.  I think I will order some to brighten my blah winter face.

In the past I used an rx hydroquinone lotion on my hands.  It worked but they  came back worse than ever. Because of that I think it is better to use something that you use long term.

[cara4art]

"In the past I used an rx hydroquinone lotion on my hands.  It worked but they  came back worse than ever. Because of that I think it is better to use something that you use long term." - Mim

Some folks over on MUA said the same thing about hydroquinone, one of the several reasons why I personally won't go near the stuff. It might work for some people, but not all, and that rebound pigmentation is very real, even amongst people who are absolutely religious about sun avoidance practices. You were wise to switch to something else you can really use ongoing.

[anne]

My mandelic acids from GoW arrived today, yee-ha! I applied one drop on my nose. Bu-ha-ha-ha, begone, blocked pores!

The GoW (NO alcohol, YES sea-weed) did not smell like anything, and was easy to apply as it was not a liquid but a bit viscous, gel-like.

[makinalist]

Now this is exciting!  Please give us regular reports - this is a product I have been thinking of trying for myself!

[Tupelo]

Anne, I'm glad you received it and I, too, can't wait to hear about your results.
 
I used it again to get rid of the spots I got on my chest in October during a 3-day period of prolonged sun exposure. They were gone in time for the annual Christmas round of parties.

[anne]

Correction - GoW is NOT viscous or gel-like, but it is very easy to use. Just one drop on my nose, and then spread it with my finger-tip. I think I´ve applied it for three nights now, and my blocked pores look SO much better. Very happy!

And, it does not smell like anything, which is a big plus. I imagined the seaweed might make it smell...well...let´s say, effective!

I wonder if I should start applying it on my whole face except around the eyes.

[marci65]

I have had huge improvement in my sunspots/age-spots since using Retin-A and glycolic/AHA.  I was alternating nights, but that was too drying for my skin so I cut back to using the AHA on Sunday night and Wednesday night -- other nights are RA only. 

I buy the generic RA from All Day Chemist.  The glycolic acid cream I have been using is MD Forte I (that's "one") Cream -- it's 15% glycolic.  I noticed my spots lightening within the first month that I started using this stuff.  I'd read that the MD Forte line is being discontinued, and the Vivite' line (both made by Allergan) will be the surviving line.  The Vivite' is 20% glycolic so I am hoping my skin will do OK with that. 

All of the above, but the most important part was sticking with a strong reliable sunscreen every morning, rain or shine.  I am loving La Roche Posay Anthelios SX SPF15 -- it's moisturizer and sunscreen combined and gives good protection.  I've read that it has PPD of 15.  I apply it in the morning but I don't re-apply during the day (that's overload to me, since I am in an office all day).