SAMMY SOSA: ANOTHER ONE OF THE NEW GENERATION

Sammy Sosa is one more who's getting in this new generation... I'll call it. the "new generation", people who's not affraid to express what and how the feel and see themselves inside and they tent do express themselves in the outside as well. what the freak is wrong with that?... absolutely nothing wrong more than "a lot stupid and ignorant people" that they can't and don't want to accept that we all are different and we choose what we want and what we don't want to do or be.. but after all this new generation is ready to explode and the world is ready for us. I call it the "New Generation". I said so.

About Sammy, it's so clear and is a fact he's applying some type of depigmentation agent cream to his face.. for my experience and I'm not a Dr. but I'm very familiar so far... I'll say he may probably be using Hidroquinone or even something like mequinol? or who the hell knows... the point is that the pictures show exactly how he looks like before and after.  It's a big change in skin color. but he doesn't looks bad.. just please Sammy don't ge to the extreme.... because if you are using a "depigmentation cream" sorry but no other way that or white pale or white pale.  that's the only problem with depigmentation agents. they are drastic and extreme. (usually)

Change the color of your eyes

Can you really change the color of your eyes?

that's a questions that I always asked to myself.... well. NOW you can. of course is not a natural way to do that but with a revolutionary surgery you could go from dark brown to light blue.  check it out.  http://www.newcoloriris.com/

Depigmentation Overview

Depigmentation is the absence or loss of pigmentation (or less than normal pigmentation) in the skin or hair.

Depigmentation of the skin is commonly linked to people who suffer with vitiligo who then apply a topical cream containing the organic compound monobenzone to remove the remaining pigment. The brand drug incorporating 20% monobenzone is Benoquin.

Depigmentation is the loss of coloration; bleaching. This may be caused by disease, improper diet, or old age.

These are only a few sources but all of them agreed about the absence or loss or pigmentation in normal skin or hair.

This is anecdoctal information based on limited experience. Please see an experienced dermatologist for guidance if you intend to depigment. And, use the SEARCH function to find past posts relating to your specific questions and interests.

When people with vitiligo have tried various treatments to regain pigment and are not satisfied with the results and/or their white spots are so extensive, they may consider depigmenting. This is a permanent killing-off of melanocytes (which give the skin their color), leading to an all-over white skin. This decision has greater ramifications for those people with darker skin tones, as they may suffer racial identity issues.

The most common method of depigmenting is the use of the prescription cream“Monobenzylether of hydroquinone” which is commonly called “monobenzone” and sold with the brand name “Benoquin.” This drug has one use: to remove remaining pigment in those with extensive vitiligo. It is not to be used for general skin lightening or the removal of freckles or other pigmentary disorders. Again: The sole indication for this drug is for final depigmentation in extensive vitiligo. While Benoquin is sold packaged in tubes with a 20% strength, monobenzone can be compounded to other strengths at a compounding pharmacy or via internet vendors. In any case, this is a prescription drug and should never be misused. Typically, the cream is rubbed into the skin daily, or twice daily, for months, sometimes years. The packaging with Benoquin indicates it is to be used for one to four months, but experience has shown that results take much longer. It is a systemic drug, meaning it will travel throughout the body and remote areas will be affected. The depigmentation generally occurs as a gradual lightening of the skin, not as new spots of vitiligo.

The patient generally begins with a 20% strength cream. Some people will experience a reddish rash and/or dry skin. This can usually be overcome by giving the skin a break in treatment and/or having the cream re-formulated with a different base or lower monobenzone strength. Experience has shown it prudent to avoid rubbing the cream on the face so a rash or dry skin will not be obvious, should that occur. And, most people begin their regimen with spreading the cream on a limited area, such as just the arms or even one arm, until it is certain that it is being tolerated. Once that trial period is over, the doctor might prescribe a higher strength of the cream, such as 30% or 40%. However, depigmentation can be successfully completed even if the patient stays with the 20% strength throughout. Other products that are sold over-the-counter as skin lighteners will not bring about depigmentation, and people who are looking to simply lighten their skin or defects in their skin tone should NOT use monobenzone.

Most doctors follow the guideline that a patient must be at least 50% involved with vitiligo before beginning depigmentation therapy. However, some doctors will prescribe monobenzone for those with lesser amounts of vitiligo if the existing vitiligo is concentrated in visible areas and is causing the patient considerable distress.

Depigmentation is not the same as “skin lightening” or “skin bleaching.” And, monobenzone can not be used to remove pigment selectively from certain parts of the body. Once total depigmentation is achieved the patient will be more susceptible to sunburn and should use sunblock regularly.

People question if, along with skin color, color will be lost from the eyes, naturally darker body areas, or body hair. Depigmentation is not the same as Albinism, but people have various responses to total depigmentation. The eye color is not affected. The lips, mouth, and nipples usually retain their darker tone. Some have seen loss of body hair color, while retaining color in their eyebrows, eyelashes, and on their heads. In fact, it is considered a good sign if body hair is white since pigment can be retained lower in the skin, in the hair follicles, where it may be stimulated (by sun? by chemicals?) to reproduce and create freckles of normal skin tone, even years after total depigmentation. When those hairs turn white, it indicates the pigment no longer exists. In the future, if spots of pigment appear, it will require another regimen of spreading the monobenzone cream on the affected areas for weeks or months to eradicate the new pigment. Using sunblock on exposed skin helps prevent recurrence of pigment. This does not mean you are unable to enjoy sunny days! Just wear a hat and sunblock and enjoy your new freedom from worrying about your skin’s appearance. Some people never experience freckling once they have totally depigmented; rarely, some people have pigment come back in numerous spots much like the reverse of their vitiligo.

Claims that vitiligo or depigmentation leads to greater chance of skin cancer are not true. In fact, a vitiligo expert stated that with the total loss of melanocytes (depigmentation), it would be virtually impossible to get melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Rates of cancer for those with vitiligo are not higher than for those without it.
People worry that they will look ghostly white, seeing the whiteness of their vitiligo as being too extreme. The whiteness produced by depigmentation is not like a white sheet of paper; it is modulated by the blood vessels, hair, and exposure to sun. It is true that the blood vessels may be seen more prominently, particularly on the hands.

It is not advised to use monobenzone if you are pregnant or nursing. Doctors may not wish to prescribe this drug for children, even those with extensive vitiligo. Several countries do not allow the sale of monobenzone; in some cases, patients have managed to get it by mail order or by foreign travel, but a prescription will still be needed. Prescription drug coverage often will NOT cover monobenzone, as some insurance companies consider vitiligo a cosmetic condition, not a medical problem. Patients are advised to get their doctors involved in getting the prescription authorized for reimbursement by the insurer. From time to time, Benoquin becomes unavailable; it is advised that patients keep extra stock on hand to get them through these periods.

[Sources]

http://www.vitiligosupport.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depigmentation

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/termsandtables/g/depigmentation.htm

Change Your Eye Color and Skin Tone with the Popping of a Pill

Imagine going a gorgeous golden colour without having to bake for hours in the sun or use a fake tan. To make your skin colour change chemically, all you would need to do is pop a pill or apply a cream.

You may soon be able to alter your skin tone, and maybe even your eye colour, as easily and as often as you dye your hair but with a lot less mess ? while protecting your skin from sun damage and cancer.

Scientists are finally beginning to understand the mechanisms behind tanning. And rather than just making it possible to darken pigments it has become clear that it should be just as easy to lighten skin tone, too, an idea now being taken up by cosmetic companies.

So whether you are a redhead who fancies a deep, dark skin colour and black hair, or if you are black-skinned or Asian and would rather be a fair-skinned blond with blue eyes, all you have to do is take a tablet or slap on a cream for a couple of weeks. Or at least until you fancy changing again.

Far from being motivated by keeping Beyoncé wannabes happy, these developments stem from anti-cancer research.  Given that one of the best defences against skin cancer is a natural tan built up over several weeks, scientists have sought to unravel the mechanisms that make this possible. They found it is far more complicated than they had thought.

It has long been known that skin, hair and eye colour are mostly influenced by a dark pigment called melanin.  But previously it was thought that tanning was a response to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight damaging DNA. This was thought to activate the melanin-producing centres within the cells, known as melanocytes, as a sort of natural defence.

Spray-on dyes aside, some existing fake tans act on this theory by using a synthetic version of a long-known hormone to try to boost melanin production.  However, this tends to work only for people who have no problem with melanin production, leaving the fair-skinned no better off ? probably because their melanocytes cannot produce enough melanin.

Now, research by skin cancer expert Dr David Fisher and colleagues at Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts, has shown that damage to DNA is not a necessary step in getting a tan.  Fisher thought a compound called forskolin ? which comes from the root of an Asian plant ? might activate the same tan-producing mechanism as the sun.

He made a lotion from the forskolin and applied it to specially bred mice that have red fur and skin normally incapable of tanning.  After several weeks of daily application, the mice were really tanned. The forskolin helped activate melanin at a much earlier stage and so was able to get even the under-productive melanocytes of the mice to generate sufficient melanin.

"I suspected we might see some darkening," said Fisher. "But I was fairly shocked that it was so efficient. They went seriously brown, dark brown, and even black."  Under the microscope, the lotion is seen to affect human skin cells. There have been no human trials yet, but the prospects for cosmetic use look good.

"In mice we had enormous control over the degree of pigmentation," Fisher said. "The darkened mice showed no signs of toxicity and their new tans were found to provide plenty of protection from subsequent exposure to the sun."  

It is also quite feasible that the same mechanisms could be manipulated to inhibit melanin production rather than stimulate it ? to lighten skin rather than darken it, he said.  Many black people, particularly women, have tried to lighten their skin. But lightening creams have, so far, been dangerous.

Some contain mercury, which causes neurological and kidney damage, speech and hearing impairments and psychiatric disorders. Others include hydroquinone, which causes blue-black discolouration and leads to neuropathy, a neurological disease.  So for those intent on lightening their skin, the new findings could be a welcome breakthrough.

However, there are thorny ethical issues. Actor, playwright and social commentator Kwame Kweh- Armah, says: "A pill that can whiten a black person?s skin is an absolutely horrendous, disgraceful thing. Any product that says to the black community that you can be more like the colour of the powerbrokers is plain wrong.

"We laugh about how Michael Jackson lightened his skin. Now we?re wanting to create our own Wacko Jackos. These products send a psychological message to all black women and girls.

"It?s our equivalent of the size-zero debate. It?s 2007, the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade. We should be finding ways to move away from the pecking order of skin colour, rather than create a magic pill that keeps it firmly in place."  But cosmetics firms are excited and Avon has already filed a patent for a skin lightening process that takes advantage of this latest knowledge.

Previous work by Fisher has shown hairs tend to go grey when melanocytes at their roots die off. Other research suggests this can be remedied by applying chemicals that trigger melanin production or cause genes to express it.  Latest glaucoma drugs have shown melanin levels in the iris can be influenced chemically, causing eye colour to change.

So, in theory, the mechanisms that decide eye colour could also be manipulated chemically or genetically.

My Monobenzone Journey

[ I started to really want to depigment many years ago but no ’till last year around February 2006 that I did a long research on-line about depigmentation and the only depigment agent that really kills melanocites… (monobenzone). so I decided that was time for me to start the dream of my life… once I read and look all over the internet about the good and bads I was sure more than ever that my life will start to change and YES I do have vitiligo.]
[February, 2006. I ordered from China. my first “sample” of monobenzone cream. I got it without any prescriptions. I started to apply it to my body. My big inspiration at that point in my life that actually I found it on-line was Dr. Vikki in her article ” My Prescription for Depigmentation“ http://www.bitchwithstyle.com/

I didn’t really see any changes but I knew that I takes from 1 - 4 months to see real results. so I was very happy applying every single day. I did a nice and happy rutine. and honestly I even enjoyed applying monobenzone to my body. Feets, legs, arms, torso,chest and neck. then I decided that my “sample” was running out. so I decided again to buy more monobenzone cream from china, this time I got 50% compound cream. my contact was a person in China who was very fast and sounded professional trough email. So from march till around August 2006 I was happy with my results so far. [I don’t have any pics to show from that time] but results where showing every single day more and more..I noticed that my legs started to depigment like behind my knees a big white spots.. you could tell that something was happening… I didn’t really noticed that I was depigmenting my arms and my chest and stomach too. seems to happen so slow and evenly that it’s really hard to tell in some part of your body. but at the same time something that took my attention was going on. the trunk of my penis was starting to appear a small dark spots the were small but they got bigger with more and more applications of monobenzone… as well my knees turned very dark my elbows and my ankles and in my hands my knuckles they still were dark. and seems like they didn’t want to depigment… oh well I was happy for most of the part. but I stopped monobenzone from august 2006 till almost January 2007 when I got my second [1kilogram] of “pure micromonobenzone powder” from an online source that didn’t ask for a prescription either. So as soon as i got my monobenzone podwer and at that time being a member of a depig forum on-line where I used to read a lot “sellers” and people maybe in the same situation like me I didn’t really believe to much but still I had to believe in some people to help me out or at least to help me figured out how to keep in track. the forum was good at that point ‘cuz made me realize that is a lot people out there with same goals and dreams in life. so it’s always nice to share that. actually I got my last monobenzone podwer from the store who owns the forum where I was member till someone decided to kick me off [lol]. no big deal.. at that time I made a really good friend who still now goes to that forum occasionally].


[From January till around august everything was going great! people started to notice my “pale”skin... so even at work people started to tell me comments like “you looks so pale” or ” you need a tan” so that really made me realize that monobenzone was doing the job! (’cuz before I don’t think so nobody could told me that I need a “tan” ‘cuz I’m already tan.. so hope it makes sense..) I was super happy. feeling that happy super feeling inside. that maybe I always wanted to feel. but something happened around end of august. I remember right before I started to sundly get re-pigmentation in my face.. that I did went to the zoo one Sunday and I did remember I took a lot sun 'cuz even with umbrella the sun was so strong and of course I was in Florida! [that’s the only thing that I remember that could cause my re-pigmentation?] but honestly not sure. it could just be my body fighting back the monobenzone? and It was so fast that i think not even 3 weeks my face was almost completely re-pigmented so I had my original color back in my face! the time from where I started to repigmenting was so sad and bad that I really felt DOWN most all the time. really bad. I never felt like that before. like I didn’t want to go out, or hang out with friends or even go to work! So I decided to go to a derma. the first dr. who saw me said that i had vitiligo. because the dark spots in my elbows and knuckles in my hands were still dark. and at that time decided to go to buy some camouflage. so finally Ifound this wonderful product that in my opinion it’s really great! very natural looking and long lasting. http://www.dermablend.com/

the idea that use “make up” made me feel so down but was the only thing that at the same time made me feel “normal” just ‘cuz seeing myself in the mirror with that horrible re-pigmentation [dark and white spots] was so not me].

[That Dr. prescribe me levothorid so i was taking that for almost 3 weeks. [I really don’t even know what I did that] but anyhow.. at that time i was so scared about monobenzone and thinking if I continue applying I ‘ll keep getting the ugly re-pigmentation specially in my face… so that made me stop and I didn’t really want to apply more ’till see a dr. so from August to beginning of October i was continue repigmenting and I decided to go to a local Dr. so I did. this time the dr was nicer and more open than the first one. so he said that I do have vitiligo and he said that my “vitiligo” was very ex-tense cuz he saw my body, my arms and my legs and he really tough that i was pretty much already depigmented. but the true was that i never told him that I was using monobenzone for almost a year. so he just figured out that I had vitiligo. so he did mention benoquin and I could tell him that I knew about the drug but not really in deep. so he prescribe me benoquin. and he said come and see me again in January].


[After that visit was so funny because i had the benoquin prescription in my hands. it’s amazing but “monobenzone” or whatever it was i was applying to my body it was working. definitly not evenly in all my body but it was working.[I was still very skeptical about continue or not using monobenzone my own mix cream that I made before. It helped a lot being part of a vitiligo forum. and exactly was there where I found Dr. Resnik http://www.resnikskininstitute.com/medicaltherapies/vitiligo.html

searching for a Dr who really knows about depigmentation in Florida. so I went to see him. with a lot of questions to need to be answer by him and his experience using benoquin].

[please read all the questions and answers that i got from Dr Resnisk. on http://depigmentation.freeforums.org/ ]
[At this point I really believe that depigmenting it’s a very challenging treatment and a very long and expensive one too. a side of everything else. it’s the psychological physical and social stress that I’m still going trough. the question to be make at this point could be… It is really worth it? or why?]
[Honestly I’m still thinking about the answers. my mind working faster lately lol. I think it’s worth it. just because the color that I’m in love is the color underneath my “tan color” and it’s not a pale white paper color. not at all it’s so natural and so beautiful. that just thinking about it makes me do it again go all over again. applying every day monobenzone in my body trying to kill the melanocites and let my real skin color shine. not because what people will see, but what I want to really see. myself. my own skin color. that’s all about it. why? it’s a really hard question. it’s just because I feel the that way. that makes me happy. makes me feel complete and be real].

[for now I decided that I’ll continue using monobenzone. I’ll try to do all over my body but no my face.or my part just because it’s very strong that really burn in that areas. arms and legs are pretty OK but even sometimes it hurt a little bit for while after applying it. my body is responding ok to the treatment but the only bad thing is my re-pigmentation. and I really hope this could be the last time i ll have it. I really hope that using every single day monobenzone It will kill the melanocities and every day will be harder for then to re-pigment. the dr. told me that I need to use it always. because if not the risk in repigmenting is high. but everybody it’s different and this is just my personal experience so your case could be different].


[hope this can really help someone out there who’s reading and hoping for answers. this is my own journey and I decided I wanted to be the this way. hope you will find the strenght and knowledge in your life].
[I’ll keep updating my treatment and hopefully one day stop here and tell ya that my skin is totally all over even white].

First Visit to a Depigmentation Dr.

[Hi everybody][here updating about my last visit to Dr. Resnik who it's very familiar with depigmenation treatments using benoquin [monobenzone]
[all these questions were answer by dr Resnik wed oct 31. 2007]

HOW LONG IT TAKES TO FULLY DEPIG?
It’s hard to say, ‘cuz everybody it’s different. so no a time frame was given. but we all know that it’s pretty much depends on each individual. studies and personal experiences based on the vitiligo forum.. may take between 1 - 4 years to get fully depigmented.

IS MONOBENZONE THE ONLY DEPIG AGENT THAT KILLS MELANOCITES?
yes. It’s the only who can kills melanocites but we need to remember that melanocites live and are in hair follicles too. so even we could kill melanocities using monobenzone it’s always the possiblitily of repigmentation trough hair follicles or just being outside under the sun.

WHAT ABOUT PHENOL PEELS?
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients with coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths. Since phenol sometimes lightens the treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a determining factor as to whether or not this is an appropriate treatment for you. Phenol is primarily used on the face; scarring may result if it’s applied to the neck or other body areas.Dr. Resnik doesn’t support the idea in having phenols peels especially all over the body..
The main disadvantage of phenol is permanent skin pallor. After your redness has faded, your face will gradually turn ghostly white, which is irreversible, unnatural, and serves as a telltale sign that you have had this procedure performed. There is no way to smoothly transition from peeled to non-peeled skin, so a clear line of demarcation will exist. You may attempt to camouflage your appearance with make-up, but even heavy foundation may be inadequate. Because of the significant alteration in skin color, deep phenol peels are suited best to those with fair skin. Phenol peels are not appropriate for women with olive, brown, or black skin, as they will cause permanent disfigurement.
Other disadvantages include that your skin will never tan after a deep chemical peel. If you choose to tan the remainder of your body, an even greater discrepancy will exist between your previously peeled and non-peeled skin. If you are heavily freckled and have a full-face deep peel all facial freckles will be removed, creating unnatural disharmony with your freckled neck and chest. Deep peels are therefore not recommended for those who are heavily freckled.

IS DEPIGMENTATION PERMANENT?
this is one of my favorite questions and the answer it’s very interesting… “Permanent” yeah but like we said before even if we could kill all the melanocites in our body we still have the ones who are in our hair. so it’s not exaclty permanent the way “for ever” but it’s possible to keep repigmentation away using monobenzone and depending of the person it could be permanent especially for people with extensive vitiligo.

IS DEPIGMENTATION THE BEST OPTION FOR PEOPLE WITH VITILIGO?
Most doctors follow the guideline that a patient must be at least 50% involved with vitiligo before beginning depigmentation therapy. However, some doctors will prescribe monobenzone for those with lesser amounts of vitiligo if the existing vitiligo is concentrated in visible areas and is causing the patient considerable distress.
so the choise it’s pretty much all yours. of course if you don’t have vitiligo and you want to go for depigmentation. pretty much all dr’s will say not but again the choise is yours. they are a lot online sources where you can find monobenzone even without a prescription. as everybody is free to choose, if u do choose still going for depigmenation without having vitligo it’s your own personal choise under your own personal riks. so be aweare that is never safe buying drugs online specially cuz u never know where this drugs coming from or if they are safe to your body.

HOW MUCH IT COST?
you need to be ready for the cost. depending of your source it’s a drug that you will need for years so be ready. it’s not a estimate but money always will be involved in this.

STOPPING MONOBENZONE USE CAN HEL STRENGHT MELANOCITES?
DR. Resnik thinks that thi’s is not possible. it wont really happen.

CAN MONOBENZONE WORKS DEPIGMENTING A NORMAL SKIN WITHOUT VITILIGO?

yes it can work.

IS MONOBENZONE A SYSTEMIC DRUG?
DR. Resnik is not sure about these question. he will investigue more and hopelly soon we can have an aswer to this question but following the vitligo support inernational forum: It is a systemic drug, meaning it will travel throughout the body and remote areas will be affected. The depigmentation generally occurs as a gradual lightening of the skin, not as new spots of vitiligo.
hope all these questions are good for all of you and can help in a good way to undertsand more the process of depigmentation.

Depigmentation Forum: Deleted

[After being “banned” from a “x” forum that more than a forum honestly it’s a fake business trying to sell products without prescriptions and not even a real customer service…I decided that was time to create a depigmentation forum that focus about depigmentation. the main reason is to give and recieve information around the world build a new community where you can find people with similiar goals, make new friends, give opinions and information and just be part of something that we really are looking to be. I really didn’t even know or tough about creating a new forum ’till Omar a guy from new jersy inspired me just ‘cuz he wrote first an depigmentation blog just like this and then a forum. so then i tough to myself. hey I can do that too. so here we are. trying to do some contribution to my society and by the way not copying at all.]http://depigmentation.freeforums.org/index.php


ONCE… you get to grow up… you understand more and more that maybe a forum is a great idea to share experiences and more. but I decided to deleted my own forum. no because any of the members but because I think. needs a lot of dedication and responsability. so I decided to give all my focus on this blog. here you will find all the information you need to start your own journy or simple find great information about depigmentation. good luck.

Real Monobenzone From a Real Source

[Finally… last nov. 16th I got my first 120 grams of compound monobenzone cream 20% from leesburg pharmacy. http://www.leesburgpharmacy.com/ I’m so happy! you only need a prescription from your dr. and actually he needs to fax it and you got the real product. I’m so happy now I’m gonna start again my treatment.

I been applying the cream in my neck, arms [where I still have some repigmentation] but i think is fading away. thanks god! I apply to my feets and behind my ears and hands at night and sometimes during the day. so twice a day application is my goal to see faster results. the questions is .. I don’t know how long will last me 120 grams.. I’m hoppin will be around 2 weeks? so the cost of monobenzone per month will be around 240$, or so. not bad because I’m getting a real product trough a real pharmacy and compound laboratory].

What's Alpah Arbutin?

[Arbutin] Is a glycosylated benzoquinone extracted from bearberry plant in the genus Arctostaphylos. It inhibits tyrosinase and thus prevents the formation of melanin. Arbutin is therefore used as a skin-lightening agent. Arbutin is also found in wheat, and is concentrated in pear skins.

Arbutin is glucosylated hydroquinone, and may carry similar cancer risks, although there are also claims that arbutin reduces cancer risk. The German Institute of Food Research in Potsdam found that intestinal bacteria can transform arbutin into hydroquinone, which creates an environment favourable for intestinal cancer. It is known that the body excretes 64-75% of arbutin in urine, and arbutin converted to hydroquinone has an antibacterial effect in the urinary tract, hence the use of bearberry in herbal medicine, but it is not known why this substance plays a role in cancer development.

[source]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbutin

Depigmentation FAQ

[What's depigmentation?]

Depigmentation is the absence or loss of pigmentation (or less than normal pigmentation) in the skin or hair not the same as Albinism, but people have various responses to total depigmentation. The eye color is not affected. The lips, mouth, and nipples usually retain their darker tone. Some have seen loss of body hair color, while retaining color in their eyebrows, eyelashes, and on their heads. In fact, it is considered a good sign if body hair is white since pigment can be retained lower in the skin, in the hair follicles, where it may be stimulated (by sun? by chemicals?) to reproduce and create freckles of normal skin tone, even years after total depigmentation. When those hairs turn white, it indicates the pigment no longer exists. In the future, if spots of pigment appear, it will require another regimen of spreading the monobenzone cream on the affected areas for weeks or months to eradicate the new pigment. Using sunblock on exposed skin helps prevent recurrence of pigment.

[Depigmentation leads to greater chance of skin cancer?]

Claims that vitiligo or depigmentation leads to greater chance of skin cancer are not true. In fact, a vitiligo expert stated that with the total loss of melanocytes (depigmentation), it would be virtually impossible to get melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Rates of cancer for those with vitiligo are not higher than for those without it.

[How white is a depigmented person?]

The whiteness produced by depigmentation is not like a white sheet of paper; it is modulated by the blood vessels, hair, and exposure to sun. It is true that the blood vessels may be seen more prominently, particularly on the hands. But it’s pretty much depends of each person as we all are different and we have differents systems.

[wich are the depigmenting treatments?]

The most common method of depigmenting is the use of the prescription cream “Monobenzylether of hydroquinone” which is commonly called “monobenzone” and sold with the brand name “Benoquin.” This drug has one use: to remove remaining pigment in those with extensive vitiligo. It is not to be used for general skin lightening or the removal of freckles or other pigmentary disorders. Again: The sole indication for this drug is for final depigmentation in extensive vitiligo. While Benoquin is sold packaged in tubes with a 20% strength, monobenzone can be compounded to other strengths at a compounding pharmacy or via internet vendors. In any case, this is a prescription drug and should never be misused. Typically, the cream is rubbed into the skin daily, or twice daily, for months, sometimes years. The packaging with Benoquin indicates it is to be used for one to four months, but experience has shown that results take much longer. It is a systemic drug, meaning it will travel throughout the body and remote areas will be affected. The depigmentation generally occurs as a gradual lightening of the skin, not as new spots of vitiligo.

[What is Benoquin?]

Generic Name: MonobenzoneDosage Form: cream, USPMonobenzone is the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Monobenzone occurs as a white, almost tasteless crystalline powder, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in water.
Chemically, monobenzone is designated as p-(benzyloxy) phenol; the empirical formula is C13H12O2; molecular weight 200.24. The structural formula is:

C13H12O2   200.24

Each gram of Benoquin Cream contains 200 mg of monobenzone USP, in a water-washable base consisting of purified water USP, cetyl alcohol NF, propylene glycol USP, sodium lauryl sulfate NF and white wax NF.

Benoquin - Clinical PharmacologyBenoquin Cream 20% is a depigmenting agent whose mechanism of action is not fully understood.

The topical application of monobenzone in animals, increases the excretion of melanin from the melanocytes. The same action is thought to be responsible for the depigmenting effect of the drug in humans. Monobenzone may cause destruction of melanocytes and permanent depigmentation.

This effect is erratic and may take one to four months to occur while existing melanin is lost with normal sloughing of the stratum corneum. Hyperpigmented skin appears to fade more rapidly than does normal skin, and exposure to sunlight reduces the depigmenting effect of the drug. The histology of the skin after depigmentation with topical monobenzone is the same as that seen in vitiligo; the epidermis is normal except for the absence of identifiable melanocytes.

[Depigmentation is permantent?]

It’s hard to say yes or not due everybody systems react different. but in most cases, yes. Some people do experience some repigmentation or freckling due to sun exposure, which can be reversed by using monobenzone on those areas again.

[Are they any side Effects?]

Depigmentation is not natural in most of the cases, so to start depigmenting you need a drug called Benoquin [Monobenzone] and the side effects could be: Dry skin, burning, irritation, redness, cracking or peeling of the skin may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: rash, swelling, skin discoloration of areas not treated with this medication. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. other side effects: the skin will be permanently sensitive to sunlight, the person will not tan and allergic reactions could happen in some cases.

[How long does depigmentation take?]

It’s very hard to give an exaclty time frame but on average about 1-2 years, it can take more or less time depending on how extensive the vitiligo is to begin with and how light or dark skinned the person is.

[How much does it cost?]

Can’t tell a exaclty number all depending your pharmacy seller and if your insurrance will cover it or not. It’s an expensive treatment that could take years to be totally completed. so expect to spend from $100-$400 a month.

[Do I need a prescription for Benoquin (Monobenzone)?]

Absolutly yes! Most doctors follow the guideline that a patient must be at least 50% involved with vitiligo before beginning depigmentation therapy. However, some doctors will prescribe monobenzone for those with lesser amounts of vitiligo if the existing vitiligo is concentrated in visible areas and is causing the patient considerable distress. Honestly all depends if your really ready for depigmentation and together finding a doctor who can really understand you. some doctors are so hesitant in prescribing monobenzone because its a permanent change to a persons appearance that can have a social and cultural effect.

Compounding Pharmacies

To obtain compounded monobenzone if you have a prescription and no local compounding pharmacy (many will do mail order):
Pharmacies:
Marcroms Pharmacy1277 McArthur St.Manchester, TN (931) 728-1100
Pill Box Drug165 Palos Verdes Blvd.Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (310) 378-2468
Lindenwood Drugs (314) 781-2445
Medical Center Pharmacy – Yale Physicians Building800 Howard AvenueNew Haven, CT 06511 (203) 785-6818
Roxsan Pharmacy465 North Roxbury DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90210 (88 371-9919 or (310) 273-1644
John C. RawsonFlanders Pharmacy2330 NW FlandersPortland, OR 97210Local phone #: (503)228-4119Int. phone #: (888)289-8976
Vitliligo Support member Jay Gill is a pharmacist in Leesburg, VA & can fill prescriptions.Contact him through his email icon for rxjaygill
To obtain Benoquin if you have a prescription:Any pharmacy should be able to fill this prescription.Members here have mentioned that COSTCO’s pharmacy has the best prices, especially if bought in quantity.