Skin bleaching is more common now and many are wondering how to get lighter skin. Methods of lightening the skin involve inhibiting the production of melanin, a skin component that produces color to the hair and skin. Individuals seek professional help or use a variety of products to get a lightened skin color.
The reasons for wanting to have lighter skin may range from an aesthetic need for a evened skin tone to a medical requirement for treating specific skin conditions. These skin conditions are characterized by uneven pigmentation and discoloration of the skin. Specific examples include vitiligo, melasma, and hyperpigmentation.
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Different techniques have been used over the years to get lighter skin and to treat pigmentation-related conditions. Here are just some of the methods being utilized nowadays.
Using Laser Treatment
This method is also known as laser skin resurfacing. The purpose of the treatment is to get rid of damaged skin layers to reveal or resurface healthier-looking skin. The process involves repeated exposure to controlled laser emissions that are projected at the skin area. The type of laser to be used depends on the natural skin tone of the individual. Carbon dioxide and erbium lasers are commonly used for laser skin resurfacing treatment.
Using Skin Treatment Peels
Alpha Hydroxyl Acids
Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA) are organic or synthetic derived compounds used as an active ingredient in skin lightening products. AHAs are often used as a daily treatment product that gradually improves the color, tone, and appearance of the skin. It is also used as an ingredient in chemical peels. AHAs are synthesized from organic food products containing glycolic, lactic, malic, citric, and tartaric acid. This compound produces noticeable effects in the dermis and epidermis layer or the skin and actively promotes the production of collagen.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin brightening procedure that involves using aluminum oxide crystals, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium chloride crystals, and organic grains to exfoliate the skin. Diamond or crystal-tipped wands are also used to stimulate and exfoliate the outer layer of the skin. The process is recommended to lessen the effects of hyperpigmentation, scarring, and photodamage. Microdermabrasion sloughs off layers of dead skin and facilitates quicker absorption of skin care products.
Arbutin
Arbutin is a skin lightening agent that is extracted from bearberry, wheat, cranberry, blueberry, and the bergenia plant. This lightening agent has an ingredient that is similar to hydroquinone and produces a comparable effect of inhibiting melanin formation. Arbutin is commonly processed into creams and other skin lightening products for daily use and long-term skin maintenance.
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid suppresses the enzyme tyrosinase, a catalyst in the production of melanin. Kojic acid is extracted from a fungal byproduct of organic substances like soy and mushroom. Since its introduction in the skin care market, kojic acid has been touted as one of the safest and most natural methods of skin lightening. Regular use of kojic acid products is said to reduce discoloration, freckling, age spots, liver spots, and wrinkling. Since the product is acid-based, the use of sunscreen protection is required to prevent sun damage to the skin.
Using Skin Whitening Cream
A skin whitening cream makes use of chemical solutions to make the skin tone lighter by reducing melanin. Other benefits derived from using the product is eliminating skin blemishes, even out skin tone and remove skin pigmentation and dark spots. Skin whitening cream is very in demand among Asians, Africans and the Arabs to get a lighter skin tone. Lots of white skin colored female also makes use of skin lightening cream.
How Do Skin Whitening Creams Work?
Skin whiteners work by inhibiting melanin production. In areas where there is a bigger concentration of melanin, the whitening skin cream can decrease this. The body sheds off dead skin cells every 28 days. When you use the skin whitening cream, the old skin along with its pigmentation is removed and a lighter, more even skin replaces it.
Skin Whitening Cream Ingredients
Some ingredients prove to be very potent in whitening the skin. Most ingredients are combined to get the maximum effect. These include the following:
Hydroquinone
This ingredient used to rule the battle for skin whitening. In the past, it was considered as the most effective solution for hyperpigmentation problems. But new researches have surfaced revealing that hydroquinone might potentially harm the skin rather than help it. Long term use could produce adverse effects. In some countries, this chemical solution is totally banned. In others, the use is limited and requires the prescription of a doctor.
Arbutin
This chemical is also known as hydroquinone-beta-D-glucoside. This ingredient is known to actively inhibit melanin production. It works in all types of skin. In its pure forms such as alpha-arbutin, beta-arbutin, and deoxy-arbutin, it is said to be very powerful in making the skin whiter. Beta-Arbutin which is a naturally occurring chemical in Bearberry plant can inhibit activity in tyrosinase. This extract is not as effective in lightening the skin as the Alpha Arbutin.
Licorice
Licorice plant contains glabridin that can restrict pigmentation by curbing the activation of tyrosinase. Licorice also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent inflammation.
Kojic Acid
This is a recent addition to the growing skin whitening group. It is whitening properties was discovered in 1989. Kojic acid is the result of malting rice for the Japanese wine called sake. It is said to prevent melanin production. However, it is difficult to harness because once exposed to air it will lose effectiveness.
Niacinamide
This is also known as Vitamin B3. It stops the transfer of melanosome from melanocytes to keratinocytes. This chemical works best if it is combined with others.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is natural occurring antioxidant found in both stable and unstable forms. These are effective skin antioxidants.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid or AHA which exfoliates and brightens the skin. It speeds up the removal of old skin cells to eliminate skin discoloration, facial lines, and wrinkles. AHA can help other skin whitening cream ingredients to get deeper into the skin.
Lactic Acid
Another AHA ingredient can help other skin whiteners to penetrate the skin more deeply. This substance suits people with sensitive skin.
A growing number of skin whitening creams or products make use of these natural, safe ingredients. Some though can be quite costly. But the results that are evident in the smooth, even skin tone is quite satisfactory.
Author Bio:
This post is written by Katie Smith. She is a woman who loves writing about the power of health on Hubnames. She generally writes on beauty, skin care, and health.
