In the 21st Century with the rise of the internet and social media, our appearance has never been more important. For young people their image is everything and they will often do anything to fit in with the crowd and this often extends to their skin, and in particular, skin whitening. Many people will never have heard of this but it is effectively a chemical procedure that lightens the skin or attempts to even out the color of the skin by reducing the melanin content. Sounds dangerous? Well, there have been many horror stories in the media, when in reality it can be a fairly simple, and perfectly safe thing to do when done in the right manner. We have therefore compiled this handy guide so that you are aware of all of the facts surrounding skin whitening before you take the plunge and try it for yourself.
Why Use Skin Lightener?
Skin lightening can be done for medical reasons and one of the main issues it can help deal with is hyperpigmentation. Basically hyperpigmentation is the darkening of the skin in patches, normally on the face, but it can occur anywhere that is overexposed to the sun. It is a harmless condition caused by excess melanin in the skin, nevertheless because it can be unsightly many people decide to use creams or other procedures to lighten then skin giving uniform color. What causes these spots? Well, as mentioned it is normally caused by the sun, but hormonal differences can come into play and many pregnant women or women on birth control pills can find that they have problems with hyperpigmentation and therefore look at skin lightening techniques.
Talk to a Dermatologist
As with anything in life it is best to seek expert help before you try anything new and using a skin lightener is no different. Everybody has different types of skin and different reasons for their skin problems, so it is paramount that you talk to your dermatologist before using any treatments because you do not want to make a mistake and end up permanently damaging your skin.
What Methods Can I Use?
There are many methods today to lighten the skin, but the majority revolve around applying creams to the damaged area. As with any products, there are some that work better than others so it is important to do your research first and talk to your dermatologist if you have any concerns. Some products contain only natural ingredients whereas others can include chemicals such as hydroquinone that if used in high quantities can actually further damage the skin, so be careful.
Are There Side Effects?
Unfortunately, if the wrong creams are used for your skin type of, or they are applied too liberally there can be huge consequences for your skin. Hydroquinone, as mentioned, can have negative effects if it is used over a prolonged period of time and if you are worried you can find more information here, however, the main issue is that if overused it can actually lead to the darkening of the skin, giving the opposite effect to what is desired. Pigmentation can become concentrated in certain areas of the body and this only highlights the skin color difference that you are trying to avoid. You should also be aware that there are mercury-based products on the market, but these should be avoided at all costs as mercury is highly toxic and can lead to long term health problems.
Are There Natural Remedies?
Of course, there are natural solutions to skin lightening and many treatments have been used for hundreds of years. Licorice root extracts can be used by people with sensitive skin to treat hyperpigmentation caused by melasma or sun damage, as it will calm down the effects of redness and itching due to its anti-irritant qualities. Similarly, Aloe Vera extracts can be used in a balm to help cool the skin. Products with azelaic acid such as wheat and barley can also help to inhibit the production of melanin thereby reducing hyperpigmentation, so if you prefer natural products there are certainly many options.
As we have learned skin lighteners can be used for both cosmetic and medicinal reasons and are mainly used to treat hyperpigmentation caused by an excess of melanin in the skin. Before using any product it is important to talk to your dermatologist because there can be nasty side effects if the wrong creams are used that contain hydroquinone, and these can sometimes be irreversible. There are many natural remedies available so it is always best to try these first as the side effects are less pronounced, if you want to lighten your skin in the least harmful way possible.
