Skin Lightening

 

 

Skin lightening (also known as skin bleaching) treatments are often used to correct skin discolorations such as those caused by age spots, sun damage, moles, birthmarks and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, the skin condition known as Vitiligo (loss of pigment) is often treated cosmetically by lightening the skin surrounding the affected areas in order to produce even skin tone over the visible portions of the body. Many products and procedures are available from skin whitening cream, lightening gel, and lightening lotion to advanced skincare methods involving laser skin resurfacing.

 

Hydroquinone Cream

 

Hydroquinone is perhaps the ingredient most associated with skin lightening. Most effective fade cream, whitening cream and skin lighteners contain some level of hydroquinone which is a very potent inhibitor of melanin - which is responsible for pigmentation in the skin.

 

More dramatic results can be expected from products which contain both hydroquinone and the ingredient tretinoin. Because there is some risk of irritation with hydroquinone cream, it is not uncommon to find cortisone as a main component. This helps to reduce inflammation of the skin.

 

An important note when considering using lightening creams that contain hydroquinone to correct uneven skin tone is that when it is packaged into cosmetic products it becomes less stable and is very sensitive to light. Skin lightening creams should be packaged in containers that do not allow direct exposure to sunlight as this can greatly reduce their effectiveness.

 

Alphahydroxy Acids

 

Alphahydroxy Acids (AHA) are acids that are able to penetrate the top layer of the skin and aid in the removal of dead skin cells where excess pigmentation can accumulate. The most widely used of these are glycolic acid and lactic acid (which is found in milk). Though not used in bleaching skin, Studies have shown that these two AHA's can also have an effect on limiting melanin production and can aid in skin lightening.

 

Skin Peels

 

Skin or Acid Peels are a treatment method that attempts to remove dark spots and rough surfaces on skin by using acids to blister the upper layers of the skin after which they peel off. AHA's are commonly used to perform these peels but Betahydroxy Acids (BHA's) are also being used more frequently. These are not as potent as AHA's but also have a less painful impact on the skin.

 

Laser Skin Resurfacing

 

Aggressive whitening skincare treatments may include the use of a laser to dissolve skin cells where an age spot or other discoloration is occurring. A common laser used is the Fraxel Laser, this device is applied to the affected areas and makes tiny "columns" in the skin that remove hyperpigmentation and skin discolorations. One of the main benefits of the Fraxel Laser is that it does not affect the surround tissue where it is used making it both precise and allows the skin to heal faster (unlike a skin peel).

 

Other substances that have shown to have an effect on skin lightening include Kojic Acid which is produced from rice and has been shown to have some capacity in inhibiting melanin. Another is Azelaic Acid which is found in grains. It is mainly used to treat acne but it has demonstrated the ability to also inhibit melanin production.

 

Organic Skin Lightening

 

Some of the following organic substances have shown some effect on helping to lighten the skin:

 

Arbutin - derived from the leaves of things such as cranberries, blueberries and pears. Contains Hydroquinone naturally. Can be expensive.

 

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate - A form of Vitamin C it is an anti-oxidant for the skin. Suppresses melanin formation in skin with high concentrations.

 

Lemon juice (alpha hydroxyl acid), potato for enzymes, yogurt (lactic acid), aloe juice, grapefruit, kiwi, papaya, raspberries.

 

Dry orange peels can be ground into a powder and added to heavy cream and applied to darkened areas daily. Rinse with warm water.