Motivation & Skin Lightening

I recieved an e-mail today from a friend that used to be a regular member of the Bright Skin Forum. She told me how she finally reached her skin lightening goal, of having an even complexion at her desired shade. I was absolutley thrilled for her. After exchanging a couple of more e-mails, I was inspired to make this blog post about the whole process of skin lightening, and how proper motivation plays a huge role in reaching a goal.

Many people who are skin lightening feel that nothing is working for them. Many people feel like their goals for their skin will never be met, or just seem too far away. Well, my answer or way of dealing with that is to have the proper mentality. I believe the first thing you need to tell yourself is this: This is YOUR goal. This is your skin. You cannot look to other people as a guideline for your skin lightening. You can definitley take their advice, but ultimately your skin is unique in how it reacts and produces results with products.

You also have to come into this whole process with clear, attainable goals. A lot of times, if you've been lightening for so long and not much progress has been made, you start to forget your initial goal of why you wanted to lighten, or what exactly you wanted in the end. So, whether you are just beginning your skin lightening process, or are in the middle or end of it, here is some advice I can give that really helps keep me motivated and feeling (and knowing) like my skin is reaping the benefits.

The first thing you need to do is to have a goal that is attainable, measurable, and that you can be accountable for. With so many skin lightening companies promising to lighten your skin 5 shades in 4 weeks, fade all discoloration, acne marks, freckles etc. it's hard not to get tempted and have a deluded objective. You need to realize that this is not an overnight thing. Skin lightening takes time, whether you are getting rid of sun damage or lightening your skin up in shades. You have to realize that it takes time. You have to be patient.

I take one thing at a time. Skin lightening is a process, so you have to get rid of each battle in order to win the war. I tell myself this: "I am going to lighten those freckles by the end of the year". That is an attainable goal. It is not ALL that I want in terms of skin lightening, but it's one of the goals that will lead me to my 'dream goal'.

You should also be able to measure your skin lightening goal. We all know buying products can be costly, that is why I started doing my own research and not looking to company promises. That is the whole point of All About Skin Lightening, this blog is to help everyone who has a skin lightening goal to find exactly what their goal is, and how they can reach it. By breaking it up, and targeting one thing at a time (i.e. "I am going to get a sunscreen first, because I know that is the number one rule and way to keep my skin protected", or "I am going to get a peel in the next month when I have enough money since I know that effective exfoliation helps remove old, dead cells with higher melanin content") you are measuring out your goal. Also, give yourself time. Don't expect to reach results in a month or 6 months. Understand that skin lightening doesn't happen overnight, just like weightloss or getting rich and prosperous, it takes time.

The last rule to know when skin lightening is to make sure you are accountable for your goal. If you choose to use products with hydroquinone, you best be accountable for the effects of that substance. If you decide not to wear sunscreen for a month, you are going to be accountable for that sun damage, and further darkening you acquired. If you plan on using safe, skin lighteners that have botanical extracts, or vitamin C, or retinoids, you should be accountable and realize that it takes time and YOU are reaping the benefits of these ingredients. You must understand that skin lightening is a life long thing, it isn't just about using one really potent lightener, getting 3 shades lighter and then stopping. It is a committment, that is why using safe, non-toxic products is the way to go. Using safe, healthy skin lighteners = skin that is less prone to the visible signs aging. It is that simple.

I just had to get that out. Skin lightening is an interesting, hard, yet rewarding journey in my opinion. These past 4 years I've been lightening, my skin has gotten so much healthier and better looking. All that sun damage from my teen years fading is very exciting to see.

Having your mindset in the right place makes a world's difference. Don't get too down on yourself when you find your skin isn't lightening up or your scars aren't fading. Stay positive, and just look back to your goal. If you've been lightening for awhile and feel like you hit a roadblock, step back and re-examine all of this. Change your goal so that it is attainable, measurable and accountable. Trust me, you will definitley see an improvement and you will be much happier with the end results.
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