Hi, I'm new to the forum and so excited about it! I love the book and I have some questions about my new regimen and didn't know who to ask....until now!
I have some dark patches on my forehead, around my eyes and a couple on my lower left cheek. I got some prescription hydroquinone from my dermatologist and have been using it for about six weeks without noticing much change. I also got a prescription for Renova .02% and have just gotten to the point of using it nightly. It's great, just minor flaking with no redness or irritation whatsoever. My question has to do with mixing the hydroquinone with anti-oxidents like the Active C and Elizabeth Arden's Prevage. I was using those before I started with the prescriptions and I'm having a hard time giving them up! Right now I've been washing with the MD Forte 3 then applying the Lustra to the dark spots. Then I've been putting on the Active C followed by my sunblock/moisturizer. At night, I wash again, apply the Lustra, then Prevage, THEN my Renova, followed by a light moisturizer. Is this completely overkill? Am I making products cancel eachother out? I know that in the book Dr. Baumann doesn't say to use the anti-oxidents when using the hydroquinone. I just want to make sure I'm not doing something to make matters worse. Before I read this book, I used a gazillion products all at once, trying to fix everything, but accomplishing nothing!
p.s. I'm sorry this post is so long winded, I'm just so happy to have a place to ask these questions!!
Thanks, Zoey

Hi, I'm new to the forum and so excited about it! I love the book and I have some questions about my new regimen and didn't know who to ask....until now!
I have some dark patches on my forehead, around my eyes and a couple on my lower left cheek. I got some prescription hydroquinone from my dermatologist and have been using it for about six weeks without noticing much change. I also got a prescription for Renova .02% and have just gotten to the point of using it nightly. It's great, just minor flaking with no redness or irritation whatsoever. My question has to do with mixing the hydroquinone with anti-oxidents like the Active C and Elizabeth Arden's Prevage. I was using those before I started with the prescriptions and I'm having a hard time giving them up! Right now I've been washing with the MD Forte 3 then applying the Lustra to the dark spots. Then I've been putting on the Active C followed by my sunblock/moisturizer. At night, I wash again, apply the Lustra, then Prevage, THEN my Renova, followed by a light moisturizer. Is this completely overkill? Am I making products cancel eachother out? I know that in the book Dr. Baumann doesn't say to use the anti-oxidents when using the hydroquinone. I just want to make sure I'm not doing something to make matters worse. Before I read this book, I used a gazillion products all at once, trying to fix everything, but accomplishing nothing!
p.s. I'm sorry this post is so long winded, I'm just so happy to have a place to ask these questions!!
Thanks, Zoey

Hi Zoey:

I use renova and EpiQuinn and my skin has never looked so good! I don't know if it's the renova or Epiquin that has tackled the brown spots, but I sure don't miss them. I just posted a test question to Dr D (under Q&A) as to what the recs are when using a hydroquinone product and the spots disappear. Anyway, with my routine, I have been using the Rx products only at night, I haven't been using the Epiquin in the a.m., but you can. I also use Active C for eyes and the Elizabeth Arden ceramide eye cream at night and the day and night EA products. I love them all and they all work together quite well. Sometimes I'll use the Skinceuticals C E Ferfulic or C + AHA in the a.m., never at night when I'm using my Renova, with no ill affect. I've always thought if I use these during the day, they shouldn't be "cancelling" anything out with my basic night time products.

Carol
DRPW