If you’re dealing with annoying skin blemishes or scars, the lightening creams may be just the right solution for you. As you don’t want to end up with a lemon, it’s better to get informed about how to choose the right cream, how to use and what to keep in mind while doing all that. Knowing the alternative solutions isn’t a bad idea either as not everyone’s skin is able to handle a lightening cream. What’s the story with skin blemishes?
Here are some of the most common causes of skin blemishes:
Freckles, birthmarks, moles
Age spots (you may also know them as liver spots
Scars caused by acne breakouts
Contraceptive pills that lead to dark patches of pigmentation
Most of the times, the blemishes don’t pose a health risk, but they may lead to other problems. From the minor irritation to the acute embarrassment, the blemishes may become a serious matter. They may lead to depression and withdrawal from the world, causing severe emotional problems as well.
How to choose your skin lightening cream?
When you’re looking for a skin lightening cream you should know exactly what you’re trying to get with that lightening cream. The list of ingredients is important and you may want to take a minute to clear out which is it that you’re trying to achieve with the lightening cream. You want to make sure you’re only aiming a brightening of your skin, and not bleaching, in which case you should look for stronger options.
Talk to a specialist
If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation concerns of any kind, maybe it’s better that you talk to your physician or, better yet, to a dermatologist. The last one is the right doctor to take a closer look at your skin and recommend the best lightening solution for your skin. Even if hydroquinone isn’t banned, there are many lightening products out there that contain in and are safe for general use. Any concentration higher than 2% of hydroquinone is going to require a prescription from the doctor so make sure you choose wisely.
Know exactly what you’re trying to achieve
There are many people out there who are interested into lightening their overall skin complexion and there are plenty of skin lightening products that address specific skin issues related with hyperpigmentation. A reliable lightening cream is going to reduce the visibility of dark pigmentation as it blocks the production of melanin in skin. You know you got yourself a good lightening cream if it’s able to treat:
Melasma/chloasma
Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots
Birthmarks
Sun damage
Uneven skin tone
Acne scars
Dark elbows, underarms or knees
Make sure you know your skin type
There are only few skin types out there: dry, oily, combination or normal skin. Some skin lightening products are going to be formulated with skin ingredients that don’t work for an oily skin, whereas others may simply be too harsh on your sensitive skin. Melanin is the brown pigment that gives the color to our skin. The more melanin your skin is producing, the darker your skin is going to be. For instance, African and Asian skin are typically thicker than other types of skin. the best part about it is that they’re going to show the fine lines and wrinkles later in life, as opposed to white skin. Additionally, the darker skin is prone to retaining moisture, shedding its outer layers pretty often. Scarring and keloid is going to happen more often in the case of white skin, whereas a darker skin has a higher risk for presenting melanosomes and fibroblasts. Long story short, don’t be surprised if a lightening cream isn’t going to give results as soon as it did on your friend’s skin. It may not even work at all for your skin, in the first place.
Double check the list of ingredients
Once you got your eyes on a lightening product, it wouldn’t hurt to read the list of ingredients too. Try to stay away from hydroquinone, steroids and mercury and seek to get a product with plenty of natural ingredients. Even if the natural ingredients may still present a risk for some allergic reaction or irritation, the danger isn’t that big. Look for a lightening product that is formulated with arbutin, vitamin C, kojic acid or mulberry extract. However, the number of natural ingredients that lighten the skin is a lot bigger and you should get informed about it. Here are some of them:
Vitamin B3 which improves the elasticity of your skin
Vitamin E oil –has antioxidant properties
Licorice extract- is known for its ability to reduce pigmentation
Lemon extracts- they moisturize the skin
Glycolic and salicylic acid- they remove spots and lighten the skin.
You can find all of these ingredients in many skin lightening products out there. You’re not going to find a product with just one of the ingredients we previously mentioned. It’s better to get a lightening product that combine several lightening ingredients, antioxidants and exfoliating agents too. Even if it may sound redundant, try to get a well-known and trusted brand for your lightening product. After all, they do know their business when it comes to lightening the skin.
What are the tips for improving the lightening products’s results?
Here are some things to remember when using a lightening product:
In order to get best results, you should apply the lightening cream directly on your scar/blemish, rubbing it gently until it’s fully absorbed into your skin.
You should always read the directions from the manufacturer and follow them religiously. Most of the time, you’re going to use a delicate and circular motion until the cream is entirely absorbed. You want to be sure that its essential ingredients go deep into the skin.
Most of the skin lighteners out there may require AM and PM use. Once you get the results you wanted, you may start using the lightening cream only once a day or only every once in a while.
Another step you should never skip on when using a lightening product is applying a sunscreen of SPF 30, especially if you’re planning to spend some time in the sunlight. Any lightening treatment is going to make your skin more photo-sensitive. You should also put on some long sleeve shirts and hat in order to protect your face, arms and body.
Get a high SPF sunscreen that inhibits both UVA and UVB rays. The UVA rays are the main reason for our tanning, but also for the aging of the skin. on the other hand, UVB rays may lead to sunburns and even skin cancer later in life.
This doesn’t eliminate the possibility that your lightening product may come with specific instructions. Washing it off after some time or following it every time with a moisturizer may be steps you need to take when using a specific lightening cream. It goes without saying that only reading and following the directions on your chosen product is going to reduce the risk for any negative side effects.
Be patient as skin lightening products may work rather slowly. Blemishes and scars are going to eventually fade away and you should be consistent about applying the lightening cream. Good things come to those who wait, remember?
What are the main rules when using a lightening product?
When it comes to cosmetic products, lightening products including, you can never be too sure so check our list to see how to be safe when using a lightening product:
Always remove all your makeup before applying the lightening cream/product. Your skin should be cleansed and dried before applying the treatment.
Run a patch test on your skin to make sure your skin isn’t going to develop any side effects. Apply a small amount of the cream in a subtle area of your skin and watch for 24 hours. When you’re planning on using the lightening cream on your face, it’s better to run this test on a sensitive skin such as the inside the crook of your elbow, behind your ear or the inside of your writs. Don’t use the cream if you’re going to experience any inflammation or irritation.
Moisturizing is essential all the time and you shouldn’t skip it either during a lightening treatment. Many of the lightening options out there may dry out the skin, so you want to keep your skin well moisturized.
Don’t apply the lightening cream on areas that don’t present any blemishes. You’re only going to lighten up that area, ending up with an even worse problem than in the beginning.
Try your best not to spend time in the sunlight after applying the lightening formula on your skin. when you simply don’t have another option but to go outside, always apply sunscreen with a high SPF (30 or more).
Don’t use a lightening product on a skin area where you’ve already applied an acne treatment or anything else formulated with glycolic acid or alpha-hydroxyl acid.
In case you develop a rash or a burning sensation, it’s better to rinse your face very well. Apply some coconut oil to sooth the affected area
You should never use the skin lightening product for longer time than it’s indicated. You may damage your skin.
What are the risks of skin lightening products?
Apart from the skin lightening products that are made with illegal ingredients, there are some options out there that present a high risk, even if their formulas are safe for the general use.
The high dose of steroids is the main reason to worry when it comes to skin lightening products. as for hydroquinone, the debate is still on. As long as you’re not using a skin lightening product with a concentration higher than 2%, you are on the safe side. Even if the concentration is higher than that, you cannot get it without a prescription, which means that you doctor knows what he/she’s doing. As long as you’re wearing sunscreen and have a break from it every couple of months, you’re safe to use hydroquinone products most of the time. On the other hand, steroids are going to be absorbed by your body, increasing the risk for developing serious and severe health problems. Consider using the natural skin lightening products as they don’t present the same health risks as the options formulated on chemical compounds. For instance, tea tree oil is a valid choice for many as it’s anti-bacterial and good for the skin. it’s able to improve the overall appearance of skin, by making the blemishes less visible and reducing the risk for reoccurrence as well. Tea tree oil is affordable and great for controlling the oiliness of your skin, checking so many boxes for the benefits for the skin.
One final thought
Even if there are ingredients that pose your skin health and overall health at stake, as long as you’re getting informed about what you’re going to apply on your skin, you shouldn’t worry very much. Be patient and cautious when using a skin lightening product. The results don’t show over night, but if they do, it may be with a high price that you shouldn’t be willing to pay in the first place: the damage of your skin. Look for the natural and safer alternatives and don’t hesitate to try. Put your money at stake with higher quality products and make sure you don’t skip any essential steps from your daily skin care routine. Getting rid of blemishes and acne scars isn’t going to be enough. You also need your skin to be radiant, glowing and healthier looking. You can achieve that by using a good moisturizer and a skin lightening product that doesn’t dry out your skin. Never forget about a good quality sunscreen with high SPF either as it may lead to skin burns or other skin conditions. And you don’t want to get back to what it got you here in the first place.