Lightening your skin with skin bleaching creams isn’t a tricky or a challenging process, but you do need to keep in mind some tips during the whole process.
Most of the skin lightening creams out there come or should come with clear instructions, but skin reacts differently so the most important principle to have in mind is to always pay attention to your skin’ reactions.
However, some general steps do apply so take a good look at them:
1. Preparation of your skin You should always start by washing your skin with some warm water. You want to remove dirt and to open the pores of your skin. this way, you’re going to make it easier for the oils and nutrients go into your skin.
2. Exfoliate Once your skin is all nice and clean, you should continue with exfoliating the area of your skin where you’re going to apply the skin bleaching cream. Exfoliation is going to remove the dead and old cells, only to reveal live cells. Rub an exfoliating cream that is right for your skin type, using circular motions. Some like to use a glycolic acid chemical peeling lotion which is going to eliminate the outer layer of your skin, allowing younger looking new skin cells to appear. Make sure you don’t overdo it in the sensitive areas like the area around your eyes. Use a special facial cream for that area that is a bit gentler for the skin.
3. Rinse the skin When you’re done with exfoliating the skin, you should rinse your skin with some warm water and use a gentle towel for drying your skin. you don’t want to rub your skin as you may damage the live cells. It’s better to pat your skin; this way, you’re drying your skin without harming the live cells.
4. Apply the bleaching cream Once your skin is all dry, you can finally apply the bleaching cream. Use your fingertips and rub the cream nice and delicately using circular motions, until you feel your skin has had enough. Should you apply the cream all over your body, a brush may be handy for reaching all parts of your body.
One general rule! No matter which type of skin bleaching cream you’re going to use, you need to remember that skin bleaching doesn’t happen overnight. Truth be told, you should even stay away from a product that gives results overnight. Chances are it’s a far too strong cream that may even damage your skin on the long run.
Therefore, you should be persistent and apply the cream every single day until you start noticing the results. If you want to have results for a long time, you should include the cream in your daily skin care routine. Once you got your results, the main goal it to have even skin tone so you should probably use the cream only from time to time.
What about the hydroquinone bleaching creams? Hydroquinone still raises some questions out there, but there is no scientific report so far about the link between cancer and hydroquinone based bleaching creams.
Yes, some cases of cancer were noted in people exposed to high levels of hydroquinone due to their jobs. However, larger studies revealed that there is no increased risk of cancer among workers exposed to high concentration of hydroquinone. Long story short, most dermatologists out there agree that short-term and non-continuous use of topical hydroquinone creams present only a low risk of side effects. There is no evidence so far about this kind of treatment leading to cancer in human beings. Despite what many may think, hydroquinone isn’t banned from use in the European Union either.
What’s the best way to use hydroquinone bleaching creams? If you’re going to use an over-the-counter hydroquinone cream, you can use it safely for a short amount of time. When you’re using a cream with higher concentration of hydroquinone, you should always stay in touch with your physician. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re using a hydroquinone cream for bleaching your skin: • Start by applying only a thin layer of the cream on your cleansed and dry skin. There are hydroquinone creams that require only one application in a day, whereas others may need be applied both AM and PM for giving results. • It’s better to apply the cream only to the dark patches. Stay away from the eyes and your mouth and don’t apply the cream on your entire face. • Don’t hurry into getting results overnight. You should give your skin some time to adjust to the formula of the cream. Apply it only three times a week in the beginning, increasing the number of application as time goes by. Pay attention to your skin. in case it gets red or irritated, you need to stop immediately and only apply your regular moisturizer for a couple of days. This doesn’t mean you should give up, though. You can start once again, but less frequently this time. Keep in mind that minor irritation is going to go away after 2 or 3 weeks of constant use of a hydroquinone cream. In case the irritation doesn’t go away, it’s better to stop and get in touch with your physician. • Don’t forget to address the main cause of your hyperpigmentation in the first place. For instance, if you’re dealing with some dark spots caused by acne, you should also get rid of acne to eliminate the risk of reoccurrence. • Never forget about a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or even higher than that. Apply it daily when using a hydroquinone, even during the winter. Get a sunscreen formulated with zinc oxide. Make sure you also wear a hat and clothing that protects the skin where you’re applying the bleaching cream. • It’s better to only use a hydroquinone cream for no longer than 6 months. You can use a non-hydroquinone cream in between the cycles. • In case your cream changes its color and turns browns, it’s better to get another one. • Never use a cream formulated with benzoyl peroxide during your hydroquinone treatment as you may stain your skin.
What’s the final piece of advice? Even if hydroquinone has been used for 50 years now to solve hyperpigmentation conditions, the number or problems caused by it is quite low. Hydroquinone-containing creams still stand out from the crowd as the most efficient solution out there in most of the cases of hyperpigmentation. Chances for developing some side reactions is, in fact, rather low, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be informed.
The risk for some side effects does exist and the most common one is the development of ochronosis. You can definitely lower the risk for that by following the tips we previously mentioned. Never forget about sunscreen and always stop after 6 months are fundamental.
Don’t forget about the non-hydroquinone skin lightening ingredients either. Even if some may think they’re not as effective as hydroquinone, they may, in fact, work just fine for mild hyperpigmentation.
Retinol, azaleic acid, licorice extract, niacinamide, soy, vitamin C and so many other ingredients are also reliable when trying to bleach your skin. Any combination of these ingredients may work for your specific skin condition and you only need to give them a try.