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Should You Lighten Your Skin? Bleaching

  • Posted on December 4, 2010 at 1:35 am

Are the risks worth the cosmetic benefits? There is nothing new about fade creams. They are sometimes referred to as skin lighteners, bleaching creams or skin brighteners. There history goes back as far as the 1900’s. People have been using bleaching creams as a cosmetic enhancement to remove or blend away imperfections in the skin like:

  • Brown spots
  • Darks spots
  • Damage to the skin from the sun
  • Moles
  • Birth marks
  • Freckles
  • Aging spots
  • Scars
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Skin discolorations
  • Lighten skin complexion
  • Genital bleaching
  • Bleaching the anus
  • Dark underarms
  • Circles under the eyes
  • Spots from birth control pills
  • Pregnancy mask
  • Acne scars
  • Melasma

One of the reasons for such popularity is it can be applied quick and conveniently in the home. Depending on the product results can be seen in as little as 2 weeks or a gradual fading over several weeks.

The Dangers Of Skin Bleaching

 

But what has become a major concern for many is product abuse. Skin bleaching creams were never intended for use all over the body; but only for small and specific areas of discoloration.

There are some serious concerns about the potential health risks involved with bleaching creams; especially those containing mercury and Hydroquinone.

To address these issues let us look at some of the health risks.

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Why Do I Have Brown Spots On My Skin

  • Posted on June 26, 2010 at 5:26 am

The development of brown spots (age spots, liver spots, sun spots, freckles) on the skin are produce by an over production of melanin in the effected areas of the skin. As the spots clump together the they grow in size. Over exposure to the sun’s ultra violet rays can be a culprit. But the sun is not the only perpetrator. Age spots commonly appear after the age of 40. There is a tendency for the body to increase its melanin production as we age. Hyperpigmentation (brown spots) can be caused by birth control pills, hormones and medications.

Solar lentigines (past severe sun burn) have been used as markers to single out those at greater risk of developing a skin melanoma. Skin spots can vary in coloration from red to brown or even be black.

Typical age spots are not a health risk. But because of their unattractive appearance are troublesome. There are ways to treat liver/sun spots that help to remove or fade them.

Treatment can be from over the counter, home made remedies or professional office visits.

Over The Counter And Prescription Cream Remedies

  1. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
  2. Retinol (Vitamin A helps reduce melanin production)
  3. Hydroquinone (for fair to light skin)
  4. Kojic acid (for darker complexions)
  5. Alpha-hydroxy acids
  6. Alpha Arbutin (helps break down melanin)
  7. Hydrocortisone
  8. Tretinoin

Home Remedies

  1. These can consist of lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide that helps fade brown spot marks on skin.
  2. Apply castor oil to spots and take vitamin E
  3. Blanch and grind 2 almonds mix in with an egg white and a half teaspoon of lime juice. Apply to face let dry then wash with warm water followed by cold water.

Medical Treatments For Brown Spots

  1. Chemical face peels with glycolic acid help to fade spots. Skin may ooze.
  2. Microdermabrasion- tiny crystals scrub and remove the top layer of skin causing spots to fade.
  3. Freezing with liquid nitrogen may sting or burn and require up to 3 treatments. Treatment helps remove age spots. Skin may become swollen along with blistering or scabbing.

Fraxel Laser Treatment

There are three types of Fraxel laser treatments.

Continue reading Why Do I Have Brown Spots On My Skin »