I have been using it for the last 3 summers. I start around now and do it every other day for a week. Then I drop to 2 or 3 times a week for the next two weeks. I see results fast and burn very little. I finish off with once a week till I become to dark. Believe it or not I have allowed myself to become so dark people look at you funny. I stop using it after this, I have never gone more than 6 weeks. I don't use it in the winter (talk about getting looked at). There are some side effects. Your freckles will darken and seem to stay darker after you quit. You make get sick to your stomach. I usually do 3 or 4 times during the 6 weeks. It doesn't last long, its like a knot in your stomach. Someone mentioned liquid. It's a powder that needs to be reconstituted with sterile water or bacteriostatic water.