What is the safest skin lightening product?
Skin lightening products -- also known as
bleaching creams, whiteners, skin brighteners, or fading creams -- work by reducing a pigment called melanin in the skin. Most people who use lighteners do so to treat skin problems such as age spots, acne scars, or discoloration related to hormones. It is also a technique used to lighten naturally dark skin. Skin lightening products do come with some
risks. As with any new product, be sure to read the label and know the facts before you buy and apply a skin lightener. Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. People with dark skin have more melanin. How much melanin your skin has is mainly a matter of your genetic makeup. Sunlight exposure, hormones, skin damage, and exposure to certain chemicals can also affect melanin production. Changes in skin color will often resolve themselves. For instance, tans fade when the amount of direct exposure to sunlight is reduced. But over time, certain discolorations, such as "age" spots or "liver" spots, become more or less permanent. Skin bleaching is a cosmetic treatment to reduce the prominence of skin discolorations and even out the color of the skin. You can buy bleaching creams over the
counter and by prescription. Some people apply skin lightener to their entire body to change their complexion, but this can be very risky. The active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury, so bleaching can lead to mercury poisoning. Mercury is a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological, and
kidney problems. Pregnant women who use a skin lightener with mercury can pass the mercury to their unborn child. The use of mercury as an ingredient in skin lighteners is banned in the U.S. However, some skin lighteners produced outside the U.S. may still contain mercury. Skin lighteners contain an active ingredient or a combination of ingredients that reduces the amount of melanin in the skin where it is applied. The most widely used ingredient in skin lighteners sold in the U.S. is hydroquinone. The FDA regulates the use of hydroquinone in the U.S. Over-the-counter skin lighteners can contain up to 2% hydroquinone. Dermatologists can write prescriptions for lighteners that contain 4%-6% hydroquinone. It's important to check with your doctor before using a product with hydroquinone and to follow the doctor's
directions exactly. Other skin lighteners use drugs such as steroids and retinoic acid, which comes from vitamin A, as active ingredients. And some skin lighteners use natural ingredients such as kojic acid -- a compound that comes from a fungus -- and arbutin, a compound found in various
plants. Risks of Skin LightenersOne of the most significant risks of using some skin lighteners is the potential exposure to mercury. One study found that nearly 1 out of every 4 skin lighteners made in Asia and sold outside the U.S. contained mercury. There are other potential risks of skin lighteners. Those risks can include the following:
Special Precautions When Using a Skin Lightener
If you have any questions about a product you are considering, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to be certain it's safe. Your dermatologist may also recommend other treatment options, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and laser treatments. Are there any safe skin lightening products?There is no safe or reliable way to lighten someone's skin tone. Products or DIY recipes that claim to do so carry numerous risks. Even legal and over-the-counter options, such as hydroquinone creams, can sometimes lead to permanent discoloration.
What is the safest skin whitening product?1: Jergens Carrot Body Lotion is one of the most recommended safe skin lightening creams that doesn't have any side effects. It brightens the skin tone and reduces dark spots on the body.
What is the best skin lightening method?Laser skin lightening. A laser can also be used to lighten blemishes or dark patches of skin. This works by either removing the outer layer of skin or damaging the cells that produce melanin.
Which ingredients lighten skin permanently?Decode Common Whitening Ingredients And Get Tips For Fairer Skin. Hydroquinone (HQ) HQ is the agent of choice for skin lightening. ... . Retinoids. Retinoids have been used topically in the treatment of acne, photoaging and hyperpigmentation. ... . Arbutin. ... . Azelaic Acid. ... . Glycolic Acid. ... . Kojic Acid. ... . Paper Mulberry Extract. ... . Niacinamide.. |