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The dilemma of individuals affected by
hyperpigmentation problems lies not only in choosing a good product, but the
proper way to lighten skin. A successful skin lightening or whitening regimen
does not rely on the products alone. Let me tell you why.
Skin lightening products have grown in
demand as the answer for uneven pigmentation such as melasma, age spots,
freckles, dark underarms, knees, elbows, acne scars or inner thighs. Regardless
of race or skin color, it concerns a lot of people caused by the skin’s melanin
content. Melanin, in its simplest definition, defines the color of our skin.
Here are four vital factors to lighten
skin effectively:
1. A good skin lightening product should be safe and potent. Ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury and steroids are harmful
substances, and banned for use in Europe and Asia.
Studies showed that hydroquinone is carcinogenic and can cause skin cancer.
Although some contain an approved 2% content, cautious people choose not to
buy. Mercury, on the other hand, poisons the bloodstream, while steroids cause
skin thinning and produces stretch marks. The safer ingredients are natural
plant extracts known to deliver good skin lightening results, such as kojic
acid (from mushroom), licorice (plant extract), and papain (papaya fruit).
Potency is another issue because most commercial products show little or no
results, ineffective or just a waste of money.
2. Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays,
because not all sunscreens block both rays. The UVA rays are responsible for
skin cancer, aging and tanning of our skin. The UVB rays burn out skin. Good
ingredients are Parsol1789 (at least 3%), Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide or
Mexoryl-Sx. The higher the SPF, the better. Wearing sunscreen is a must,
whether you’re using skin lightening products or not. Avoid overexposure to the
sun particularly between 10am-3pm. Remember, sunscreen does not block all UVA
or UVB rays. Even in the shade, the sun’s rays can penetrate, so it’s best to
protect your skin physically through hats/sunglasses and long sleeved shirts
for extended sun exposure.
3. Take 500mg Vitamin C supplement daily. A daily dose of
at least 500mg ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant helps promote healthy
skin and inhibits the production of melanin. Others take it with whitening
pills, but will take months to see results. Your best bet is an intake of this
supplement plus the use of good skin lightening products.
4. Use your favorite moisturizers with skin lighteners. Exfoliated skin that is resurfaced as a result of the skin lightening
procedure needs hydration to give a rosy, whiter effect. Simply use your
moisturizers 5-10 minutes after the application of the skin lightening
products.
Alternatives to treat dark skin
spots include laser treatment but the price tag can cost over a
thousand dollars, or glutathione intravenous
injectables that can prove to be effective, but requires high
maintenance. Others resort to glutathione or metathione whitening
pills, i.e., if you’re willing to wait for months to get results. But
the skin whitening market has been flooded by fake whitening pills, and has
since confused the consumer on which pill is genuine.
On the other hand, there are expensive skin lightening soaps, lotions or creams that don’t
necessarily imply better efficiency over the more economical ones. There are
safer, cheaper and better ways to do it as described above. You just have to
know where a reliable source is.
In most Asian, African and Latin
American countries, fair skin radiates an aura of sophistication. On the
contrary, skin tanning is the opposite trend in the United States. Although skin
lightening or bleaching is more criticized in the US, both skin lightening and skin
tanning are inclined on the same solutions – even skin tone, higher self
esteem, or just aesthetic preferences. Fair women would still stand out than
bronzed whites visiting Asian countries. The only real difference lies in one’s
cultural identity and tradition. |
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