Is Skin Bleaching Necessary
Skin bleaching is not medically necessary but something people choose to do for cosmetic reasons. Some people use it to lighten melasma, blemishes, and age spots, while others try to use it to alter their skin tone.
People may feel this will make them more attractive or more confident. However, the practice of attempting to lighten a persons complexion links to racism.
Racism frames being white as superior to all other races and ethnicities. This also applies to beauty standards, causing people to view white, European forms of beauty as the most desirable.
Another key driver of skin bleaching is colorism, which is related to but distinct from racism. Colorism is a discriminatory practice of preferring lighter skin tones over darker skin tones, both intraracially or ethnoracially . It can affect any racial or ethnic group.
Colorism is rooted in racism, and like racism, it places value based on skin color.
A 2018 study found that internalizing white beauty standards contributed to African American and Indian womens dissatisfaction with their skin and hair, as well as attempts to lighten both.
Another 2019 study found that exposure to advertisements and self-esteem issues predicted skin bleaching among students at the University of Lagos.
A 2019 study in Nigeria found that self-acceptance and education about the risks of skin bleaching could help prevent the practice.
What Causes Discoloration In Darker Skin Tones
When spots or patches appear on your skin that are darker than your skin tone, its called hyperpigmentation. “Hyperpigmentation is a term used to describe areas of skin that have more pigmentation than intended by nature, dermatologist Craig Kraffert, MD, explains. These areas visibly contrast with the surrounding unaffected skin, leading to the unevenness of color and/or tone.” For those with darker skin tones two types of hyperpigmentation, in particular, are the most common cosmetic concerns:
- Melasma: “Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation more common in women. Its often induced by birth control pills and pregnancy and exacerbated by both sun and heat,” Kraffert explains. “Your tendency to develop melasma is based in both genetic and hormonal components. It primarily develops on the cheekbones, forehead, and upper lip, but can also be on the nose, chin, lower cheeks, and lateral neck.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when the skins cells overproduce melanin as a response to injury, resulting in discoloration and uneven skin tone. “We see this after acne where dark spots are left after the acne lesions resolve and after any kind of trauma to the skin such as scars,” says Vic Narurkar, MD, of Bay Area Laser Institute. Since darker skin has more melanin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation isyou guessed itmore commonly seen in those with darker skin tones.
Caro White Skin Whitening Cream Review
This cream contains a unique ingredient, carrot oil which is often underestimated for its skin lightning effects. This cream combines carrot oil with other skin lightning ingredients to give you a product that is entirely safe to use and that does the job in less time.
With this product, youd get 500ml creams for just under $10 which is quite great in this price range. This product is highly recommended if you are tired of trying out different solutions for your skin lightning issue.
Pros
- Might not work on Extra Dry Skin types
- Skin lightning effect would take a few weeks to happen
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How A Dermatologist Can Help With Hyperpigmentation
If the treatment youre using fails to deliver the results you want, you may want to see a dermatologist. Dark spots and patches can be a challenge to treat. To get rid of some dark spots or patches, you may need a prescription-strength treatment.
A dermatologist has the knowledge and expertise to safely combine treatments to help you get the best results.
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Jolie Advanced Lightning Cream Review
This is a portable product that you can use on the go. When you have to travel around a lot, you are more prone to freckles and dark spots. In these tough situations, this cream would help fade out these dark spots from your skin. It contains antioxidants that nourish your skin and keep it safe from harmful environmental factors throughout the day.
You can use it on your face as well as on your neck. This product is free of alcohol and parabens so, it wont have any side effects on your skin as well. This product is a decent choice for an on-the-go skin lightening cream.
Pros
- The quantity is not much
- The price is a lot for the quantity
- Less value for the money
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Whitening Lab Skin Lightning Night Cream Review
This cream acts as a healing agent for removing dark spots and sunburns from your skin. This product is great for use at nighttime because it has a sweet aroma. This product would induce a gentle and soothing sensation in your entire body and would help you feel relaxed at night. It also contains Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid, so it has anti-aging effects. This skin lightning cream has everything that youd possibly need for your skin lightning cream. It is one of the highly recommended products on our list.
Pros
Overview: Collagen Skin Whitening Cream is a unique blend of Soft texture and excellent skin bleaching effects. This product removes dark spots by going deep into the pores of your skin and bringing out the innate radiance and glow of your skin.
Pulchrie Lightning Serum With Kojic Acid
- WHAT IT IS: A fast-acting spot brightening serum that is formulated with…
- ANTI-AGING BENEFITS – PULCHRIE brightening serum contains anti-wrinkle and…
- BRIGHTENS SKIN TONE AND MAKES IT MORE EVEN – Skin becomes more glowing and…
Overview: The first product on our list is not exactly a cream but offers skin bleaching effects that are out of this world. PULCHRIE is a skin lightening serum that goes deep into your skin, brings out its innate radiance, and glows.
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Which Ingredients Brighten Skin
Choosing the right ingredients is the first key to erasing dark spots. You’ll want to look for formulas that contain chemical exfoliants and/or brightening agents to get the best results. Below are some of our favorites:
Glycolic/Lactic Acids: Simply put, Alpha Hydroxy Acids stimulate exfoliation. Think of them as removing the glue that holds your old/ dead/ darker skin cells on the surface. In addition to improving uneven tone, AHAs also improve skin texture and smooth fine lines. More sensitive? Try Lactic Acid, as it has a larger molecular size and cant penetrate as deep.
Vitamin C: Were huge fans of Vitamin C for a variety of reasons. Not only does it inhibit melanin production, which lightens hyperpigmentation, but it also protects against free radicals. Free radicals destroy healthy cells and can cause a number of skin conditions, including, you guessed it, hyperpigmentation.
Hydroquinone: An FDA-approved skin lightening agent that inhibits the production of melanin by targeting excess pigmentation for a more even tone. If youre serious about reversing dark spots, this should be at the top of your list .
Alpha Arbutin: A plant-based alternative to Hydroquinone that evens skin tone in a more gentle manner. It is a fantastic option for clients with younger skin, who are pregnant/breast-feeding, or have sensitive skin.
How To Fade Dark Spots In Darker Skin Tones
Have you tried treating dark spots on your own without getting the results you want? Do you see new dark spots appear as others fade?
If you answered yes, youre not alone. Darks spots and patches rank as one of the most common reasons that people who have darker skin tones see a dermatologist. The medical name for one cause of these dark spots is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Some people just call it hyperpigmentation for short.
Before and after treatment for dark spots
His dermatologist used laser therapy and prescription-strength hydroquinone cream to even out his skin tone in 8 weeks.
Getting rid of hyperpigmentation begins with finding out why you get these dark spots or patches. If you can eliminate the cause, many spots will clear on their own and you can prevent new ones from appearing.
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The Wait And See Approach
In some cases, no treatment may be the best option, as the spots could go away over time.
For example, this may be the case for some types of hyperpigmentation that occur during pregnancy or those that appear after an acne pimple goes away.
In the meantime, the use of sun protection can help prevent the spots from getting darker.
How To Fight Dark Spots On Your Skin
No one likes marks on their complexion. You’ve probably heard words like melasma and liver spots. Both refer to the same condition: hyperpigmentation.
“Damage due to inflammation, UV exposure, and other environmental insults causes the cells to produce more pigment to protect themselves,” says Carl R. Thornfeldt, MD, a dermatologist in Fruitland, ID. Changes in estrogen levels can also play a role.
This results in uneven pigmentation, a common condition that can affect any skin tone, “but in different ways,” says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University. Lighter skin tones tend to develop freckles and sun spots, while darker skin looks shadowed or patchy, she says.
Since the causes of uneven pigmentation are so common — and the demand to correct the condition is so high — many options exist for treating brown spots and patches. But you can’t treat all spots equally. Before you pick a course of action, see your dermatologist, Tanzi says. Ingredients can be harsh and irritating, so get advice about which to use and how to safely use them the right way.
One option is hydroquinone, a prescription topical cream that slows down the pigment-making processes in the skin, Tanzi says. “Hydroquinone is one of the strongest and most effective brightening agents we have,” she says. But at high concentrations it can be toxic to the skin, she says.
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What To Consider Before Buying A Skin Bleaching Cream In 2022
Buying a Skin Bleaching cream is no walk in the park. You need to be careful because you never know when a product might have severe side effects for your skin condition. Also, you want to make sure that you buy a product that offers the maximum health benefits.
To make things a bit easier for you, here is a brief buyersguide that you can go through when buying a skin bleaching cream
Collagen Skin Whitening Cream Review
The best feature of this cream is, that it feels smooth and gentle on the skin. It doesnt produce any greasy feel and would be absorbed deep into your skin after a few minutes of applying. It replenishes your skin and helps you achieve a fresh, more alive, and even skin tone. This product is your best choice if you want to get rid of dark spots on your face or any part of your skin from your entire body
Pros
- May cause Skin breakouts for Extra Dry Skin
- Skin lightning effect might take a long time to show up
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What Are The Benefits Of Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is particularly effective for the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation which is unlikely to recur provided the underlying inflammatorydermatosis is also controlled.
In melasma, 70% of sufferers notice clearance or reduction in pigmentation with twice daily hydroquinone used for three months. This improvement can be maintained in 50% of individuals with twice weekly application.
Response of melasma after three months of hydroquinone
Skin Bleaching Vs Skin Lightening
Skin bleaching and lightening are interlinked. Skin lightening means the reduction of pigmentation, blemishes, acne, and dark spots from your skin. Skin lightening can be done in many ways, bleaching being one of the options. Bleaching fades out the dark spots and blemishes. Even though it does not truly lighten your skin tone, it gives you a lighter appearance.
If you donât want to worry about which bleach is best for dark skin or which bleach is best for sensitive skin, you can simply opt for peel off skin lightening masks or opt for natural bleach options as mentioned above. Another solution to lighten your skin is a laser treatment, which can be expensive.
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Differin Dark Spot Correcting Gel
I like this gel because it contains a powerful retinoid to clear acne and prevent future pimples while preventing acne scarring, says Engelman. It is the first retinoid available over the counter and it is more gentle compared to other retinoids. I swore by this during my teen acne phase, and then again through the acne I got in my late twentiesjust be sure to top it with an ultra hydrating moisturizer or oil if you have dry skin, since the retinoid is quite powerful in this.
Some Products That Fade Dark Spots Do More Harm Than Good
When buying a product that can fade dark spots, you want to choose carefully. Some products contain ingredients that can be very harmful to your skin and your health.
Researchers have found steroids or mercury, which werent listed on the products label, in skin care products imported from other countries.
The steroids in these products can cause pimples and rashes. If you unknowingly apply it to your skin for a long time, the steroids can cause your skin to become thin and fragile or permanently discolored.
To protect your health, you want to buy a product made in the United States or one recommended by your dermatologist.
Never use liquid bleach
Liquid bleach is a harmful treatment for removing dark spots and patches. You should never apply it to your skin.
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What Is Skin Bleaching
Bleaching agents are often used to lighten the dark, pigmented areas of skin, including blemishes, age spots and freckles. This is known as skin bleaching.
It is done using bleaching creams, soaps, or even a pill. Professional in-office treatments such as chemical peels and laser therapy are also done to address the issue.
But how do bleaching agents work? Your skin colour is determined by the amount of melanin your body produces. Melanin is the natural skin pigment made by the cells called melanocytes.
Everyone has the same number of melanocytes, but the creation of melanin can vary from person to person. People with darker skin have more melanin in their cells. When you use bleach, it minimizes the production of melanin in your skin, giving it a lighter appearance.
How To Brighten Skin And Lighten Dark Spots
Let’s talk dark spots: tons of people have them and tons of people want them gone. Scientifically, this skin concern is known as hyperpigmentation and can result from scars, sun burns and even pregnancy. But even if addressing hyperpigmentation isnt your number one concern, no one can say no to a fresh, glowing complexion. So, how do you brighten skin and lighten dark spots? Read on to learn more.
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Lotus Professional Phyto Rx Whitening And Brightening Creme
Post Bleach Skin Care
- Sunlight increases the production of melanin in your skin. It is best to avoid going out in the sun immediately after youâve bleached.
- You need to take SPF protection if you step out. Choose the best-suited sunscreen lotion for your skin.
- Frequent bleaching is not advised as it can damage your skin. Repeat your bleaching session only after 4 to 8 weeks of gap.
SkinKraft Tip
Post bleach your skin becomes sensitive. Massaging your skin with Aloe Vera gel for 4 to 5 minutes will give you a soothing relief and also work as an anti-inflammatory agent.
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Risks Of Mercury Poisoning
Concerns have been raised over recent years about the mercury content in some skin lightening creams.
Mercury is a heavy metal that is toxic in even small amounts. The FDA has limited the amount of mercury in cosmetic products to trace amounts not exceeding 1 part per million .
However, in a 2014 study, researchers tested 549 skin lightening products for their mercury content. They found that 6% contained mercury levels above 1,000 ppm, while some had mercury levels as high as 10,000 ppm. Of the U.S. products, 3.3% had mercury levels over 1,000 ppm.
Though products from the United States were somewhat safer, it can be difficult to determine the country of origin of products purchased online.
Being exposed to mercury over time can cause symptoms like:
- Loss of appetite
Nephrotic syndrome is treatable, however, and will resolve once the mercury exposure stops.
More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using skin-lightening products. The chemicals in skin lightening creams have not been studied over a long period of time, so it’s unknown if they will lead to long-term conditions.