Skin Lightening
Skin Bleaching - Skin Whitening
- How To Do It Right -

Hyperpigmentation problems have been a common dilemma for individuals with uneven skin tone, age spots, freckles, dark underarms, melasma, dark acne scars, dark knees, elbows or inner thighs. Skin lighteners have become popular, regardless of skin color, as a solution to correct these pigmentation problems and subsequently increased one’s self-esteem. You’d feel much better if you do look great.

So, how do you lighten skin correctly? What else is needed? Here’s a four-step process:

1. Products should be potent and safe.

Let’s tackle potency first. The concentrations of good lightening ingredients in most commercial products are so insignificant that little or no results are seen. These are common for skin lighteners found in drugstores and online. Price is not a factor to determine the effectiveness of a product, because some expensive stuff doesn’t necessarily mean they are more efficient. You might as well buy from a source that you trust, has good reviews, and well recommended by satisfied users.

Safety is an important issue, because your skin is the only one you’ve got. The three harmful whitening ingredients are:

Mercury – poisons the bloodstream, therefore toxic when used in cosmetics. You’ll have an idea more or less what happens if your blood is infected with a deadly toxin, which can cause kidney or brain damage

Hydroquinone – has been banned in Europe and Asia because it has been found to be carcinogenic, makes the skin hypersensitive to the sun, and thus can cause skin cancer. Still, some skin bleach products have 2% hydroquinone which is commercially allowed. But if you’ll ask me, no thanks!

Steroids – can lead to thinning of the skin and produces stretch marks. It isn’t good because a thinned skin is also prone to skin infections.

So what ingredients do you look for?

Go natural! Some safe natural plant-based components are Kojic Acid (derived from mushroom), Licorice (plant extract), or Papain ( from papaya fruit). These are so safe that they are even used for food products.

Based on the above, I give my cheers to this well recommended product.

2. Apply your favorite moisturizers after the skin lighteners.

This is recommended because the skin whitening/bleaching process involves skin peeling (exfoliation). Remember that skin lighteners are formulated for skin lightening, not moisturizing. They don’t really dry out your skin, but using your favorite moisturizers will bring about a better, rosy, hydrated lightened skin. The resurfaced fresher skin best absorbs moisture. Apply your moisturizers about 5-10 minutes after the skin lightening products.

3. A good sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Did you know that not all sunscreens block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. These two are different, as the UVA rays are responsible for aging, tanning and wrinkling of our skin, while the UVB rays causes sunburn. When buying sunscreen, look for ingredients such as Parsol 1789 (at least 3%) or also known as Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide or Mexoryl-Sx. If you choose the higher SPF, the better protection you get. There’s the new Neutrogena SPF 70 that I personally like because it blocks both rays.

Keep in mind that sunscreen is a MUST whether you’re in a skin whitening treatment or not. It is your best cover against sun damage and skin cancer, especially between the hours of 10am-3pm. But sunscreen is not capable of blocking all UVA or UVB rays. The ultraviolet rays can still penetrate even in the shade. Therefore, always protect your skin with sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and long sleeved shirts for extended sun exposure.

4. Daily dose of Vitamin C supplement.

This is an option. But studies show that a daily intake of at least 500 mg of Vitamin C supplement enhances the skin’s suppleness and inhibits the skin’s production of melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment responsible for tanning the skin. The darker the skin color, the more melanin content there is.

Some ask me, “Will I be using these products forever?”

Results are NOT permanent. Just like skin tanning or use of other skin care products (antiaging, acne, hair care, moisturizers), it requires maintenance for you to see its long term effects. I'll ask you, if you stop using your lotion, would your skin stay moisturized for the next year? I don’t think so. Or if you stop using your antiaging cream, won't your crow’s feet be in trouble? Every product has its purpose, and is meant to eliminate, reduce or…

… make sure the skin problem doesn't come back.

Skin lightening products are of no exception. If you want to stay clear of hyperpigmentations, keep using the products. Maintenance is the least expensive because the frequency of use is considerably reduced once you reach the desired effect.

So there you go for the right skin lightening regimen. Say goodbye to skin discoloration and start your way for an even skin tone with a brighter glow. Show the world a better and more beautiful you. I’ve done it!

Got skin lightening questions? Ask me!

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