Ever dreaming about having lighter skin tone and no more age spots? No, you’re not alone fighting this battle and clearer and evener skin is something we all want, one way or another.
Luckily for us, we have the solution of skin bleaching creams at reach of our hands and many of us aren’t afraid to take the leap of faith with some over-the-counter creams.
Unfortunately, though, not all bleaching creams are created equal and what works for one, may not be the best solution for your skin. How to choose then? What to look for when selecting a bleaching cream?
If you’re expecting a short answer, it’s time to look elsewhere; we’re going to explain skin bleaching right from the scratch. We believe that only getting all the information about the whole process, you’re going to be able to find out what works the best for you.
What is skin bleaching? Skin bleaching is a process that is going to improve the visibility of blemishes, like melasma or birthmarks. There are several skin-lightening methods to try that are going to lower the production of melanin in skin and here some of the most popular out there: • Skin bleaching creams • Chemical peels • Laser treatment
Bleaching your skin isn’t a very easy decision. Apart from the financial matter, it can also take a lot of your time until you’re going to notice the results. And even so, it’s not always 100% sure that you’re going to get any results at all.
You should start bleaching your skin for all the right reasons and only after getting all the information you need for the whole process. Don’t hesitate to ask your GP about it and see his take on the matter. Knowing better the reasons for which you want to do it is helpful. Additionally, you may even not be able to try it because of some medical reason.
As in any major procedure, skin bleaching also comes with its risks and complications. The more you know about the whole thing, the better the chances for you to remain on the safe side.
What else should you remember when using a skin bleaching cream? Your doctor is going to specifically tell you how to get the best out of the skin bleaching cream. However, here are some other few things to take a lot at: • You should use the cream sparingly once/twice a day only on the darkened area of your skin. • You may apply the cream with a cotton bud. If that doesn’t seem easy to you, you should wash your hands very well before and after using the cream. • Try to never get the bleaching cream anywhere near your eyes, nose or mouth. • Protect the other ones around you too and do your best not to touch your treated skin against another person’s skins at least for a couple of hours after using the cream.
This could make us sound like an old record, but it’s essential that you always wear sunscreen when using a skin bleaching cream as you want to reduce the damage of sunlight as much as you can.
Typically, 3 to 4 months is going to be enough for using a skin bleaching cream. Even if your doctor is going to prescribe it for 6 months’ use, he/she is still going to recommend a break after that period.
From the skin irritation, inflammation (swelling and redness) to the itchy and flaky skin and even stinging/burning sensation, the side effects may develop at any time so always pay attention to the reactions of your skin.
What’s the worst thing that can happen when using skin bleaching creams? Here are some symptoms that may develop when using a stronger skin bleaching cream like the ones containing hydroquinone, mercury or steroids: • Your skin can get thinner • Some scarring may develop • The blood vessels may become more visible • The skin may get too light or too dark • You could experience kidney, liver or nerve damage.
Many of the ingredients within the formula of skin bleaching creams are strong so pregnant women should never use the bleaching creams during pregnancy. The risk for abnormalities in a newborn baby is quite high.
No matter how serious the side effects that you’re experiencing are, it’s always better to check it with your doctor. A swelling, increased pain or a severe rash may even require urgent medical attention, so don’t wait for the symptoms to go away in situations as such.
Are there alternatives? One of the common alternatives to skin bleaching creams is the laser skin lightening that is also able to lighten dark patches or various blemishes of your skin. This procedure is actually removing the outer layer of your skin or destroy the cells that produce melanin in the first place.
However, as in everything else related to skin, this procedure may lead to various results in people and may not even work at all in some cases.
Is laser skin lightening cheaper? The price of each session is pretty various and it depends a lot on the size of the skin area that you’re going to treat. The equipment and the extent of the lightening are also important for the final price of this kind of procedure. However, no one can tell right from the start how many sessions you’re going to need, so the debate is still on.
What are the side effects? What can go wrong? There are some side effects that many develop during a laser lightening procedure: • Bruising • Redness and swelling • Blistering • Crusting
However, these side effects aren’t permanent and they’re going to go away after a week or two. This doesn’t take out of the equation the risk of some severe complications that may occur during this procedure. They may not be common, but you need to take them under consideration: • Skin infection • Scarring • Your skin getting too light or too dark
The cosmetic procedures always come with some risk and the results you expect may be different from what you’re going to get. You can talk about not being happy with the results to the clinic/hospital that helped you with the procedure. Your skin is going to recover after a laser skin lightening in two weeks or so. Even if your skin gets red and swollen in the beginning, these effects are going to disappear after a couple of weeks.
Make sure you also follow these tips if you’re undergoing a laser skin lightening: • Use unperfumed soap for the treated area • Never pick at any crusts or scabs that may appear • Reduce the swelling by using some painkillers and applying icepacks • Apply aloe Vera gel or petroleum jelly to calm down the treated area • Never forget to apply sunscreen on the treated area for at least six months after the procedure.