Posts Tagged ‘Pigmentation’

Although a lot of us dream of flawless skin, the truth is that most people, regardless of ethnicity and skin color, have pigment blemishes on their skin. The discolored small or large patches might be considered aesthetically unappealing and most people would like to get rid of these spots. To understand how to lighten your blemishes you need to understand that these spots or patches are nothing more than accumulation of melanin.

What is melanin?

Melanin is the substance that gives color to your skin. Ideally, melanin concentration should be even across the entire expanse of your skin but this is seldom the case. Various environmental, dietary, hereditary and age factors contribute towards the formation of these spots and blemishes. These lesions or spots have different names depending on the cause. Melasma, hyperpigmentation, freckles are some of the various names that refer to these blemishes.

How do I rid myself of these spots?

Any dermatologist will tell you that pigment problems are extremely difficult to get rid of. But there is hope. There have been various advances in the field of pigment research and there are a number of remedies that can effectively remove the excess pigment and prevent the re-accumulation of melanin on the skin.

Are all pigment problems basically the same? Can I use the same treatment for various pigment problems?

There are several ways to get rid of spots or patches of hyperpigmentation. Pigmentation could be hormonal in nature like melasma, dark underarms, dark skin patches on the neck or inner thigh area and age spots. Once these spots or patches of dark skin have lightened, you will need to continue some sort of maintenance regimen due to the hormonal nature of the problem. Stopping treatment as soon as these spots have disappeared will cause them to reoccur in a few months. There are certain other kinds of spots or patchy skin caused by trauma to the skin by insect bites, shaving, acne or repeated pressure to certain areas of skin. These patches or spots once lightened usually don’t return.

What are the various ways I can use to get rid of these blemishes?

There are three ways to get rid of these blemishes.

Mechanical: Mechanical methods work best when the pigmentation is recent and superficial. Those who don’t exfoliate their skin on a regular basis will also see good results. There are various derma-abrasion kits available in your local pharmacy that could help gently exfoliate the area. Micro-derma abrasion cloths are also a good option as they remove dead skin cells very gently. Exfoliating encourages skin cell turnover ensuring that fresher and more even toned skin surfaces. However, one needs to be careful when exfoliating because over exfoliation or over zealous use of mechanical methods can actually increase the darkness of blemishes.

Skin peels: Peels work to invisibly remove the “glue” that holds the surface skin together and encourages exfoliation without any need for mechanical interference. Peels used to be administered at a doctor’s office and some strong peels are still only available to medical or aesthetic specialists. Nowadays there are various kinds of peels available online and even at low concentrations over the counter. The right choice of peel depend on the nature of the problem, the depth of pigmentation and the general health of the skin. Certain peels can go as deep as the dermis (deepest layer of the skin) to lighten skin from the inside out. Certain peels along with their exfoliating capabilities also target abnormal pigment cells and work to uniform skin tone.

Skin Lightening Agents: Skin lightening agents penetrate the skin to destroy extra melanin and give skin an appearance of being even toned. There are various skin lightening agents identified by scientists and herbalists and many of them work very well on skin blemishes. Different skin whitening agents have different modes of action. Some work to destroy melanin, some work to prevent the transfer of melanin from the deepest layer of the skin to the surface, still others interfere with the actual production of melanin. There are a few chemical agents actually destroy the melanin creating cells called melanocytes. These should never be used for skin blemishes unless one has depigmentation problems. The best methods entail the use of herbal or natural skin lighteners that are used in a combination so as to affect the whole production cycle of melanin.

A combination of the right peel or exfoliation combined with the right combination of skin lightening agents can effectively lighten even the toughest pigment spots.



By: Sheila Ray

There is a natural way to lighten your skin safely, but the over-the-counter products that you will find at your local drug store are just not safe.  The ingredients used by cosmetic companies to achieve skin whitening are hydroquinone, mercury, exfoliants and various kinds of acids.  The most common of these is hydroquinone.  Let me tell you a little something about that “ugly” ingredient.

Skin Lighteners Dangers

It is also known as benzene-1, 4-diol.  Its chemical structure is two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring.  Benzene is known to be a cancer causing chemical.  For that reason, alone, it should be banned as an ingredient in cosmetics.  It is banned in some countries.  But, it’s not in the US, because it is considered “safer” than other skin lighteners, such as mercury.

Even if it were not a carcinogen, would you want to use something on your skin that can cause the appearance of black bumps all over your skin?  That is a reaction that is sometimes seen by users and the condition is irreversible.

According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments, the ingredient is only considered safe, IF it is rinsed off thoroughly.  But, the directions seen on the labels of these products indicate that it should be left on. 

Safe Skin Lighteners – Safest Ingredients

Let’s take a look at some safer alternatives.  The ingredients that you will see in the safest whitening creams include:

• Bearberry

• Mulberry

• White mulberry

• Paper mulberry

• Licorice extract

• Vitamin C

• Nut-grass root, which is also known as coco-grass, purple nut sedge and red nut sedge

Of these ingredients, clinical trials have shown that nut-grass root is the most effective.  You see, skin lighteners work by inhibiting melanin production.  Melanin is responsible for the darker pigmentation that you see.

Other extracts have been shown to inhibit melanin production by only 8.9% at a .5% concentration, which is generally considered a non-irritation concentration.  A 0.5% concentration of nut-grass root inhibits melanin production by over 41%.  It is obviously more effective than hydroquinone, because all of the companies that include that ingredient use a 2% concentration. 

Best Skin Whitening Cream

The best women’s day whitening cream contains additional ingredients that counter the signs of aging and the product can be used as a daily moisturizer on an indefinite basis.  Companies that make hydroquinone whitening creams warn that customers should “discontinue use after three months”.  That’s how dangerous the chemical is.

Look for These Ingredients – If not there DON’T BUY IT!

If you want to even out pigmentation or have an overall lightening effect…if you also want to get rid of wrinkles, fine lines and improve firmness, you need to look for a cream that contains nut-grass root extract, Functional Keratin, wakame kelp, coenzyme Q10, natural vitamin E, passion fruit extract and grape seed oil.

All of those ingredients work to counter and delay the signs of aging.  No matter how old or young you are, you can always improve the appearance of your skin.  Remember that you should also be using a restorative night cream and when your skin becomes lighter it is more easily burned.  See author box below for a real natural skin whitener that is safe and effective. – Margaret Bell





By: Margaret Bell

 

Bleaching Creams

Brown spots, melasma, freckles. These are all words to describe areas of the skin that are pigmented due to sun exposure, medications, or genetics. Bleaching products are used to suppress pigmentation in order to lighten hyperpigmented areas. The three best ingredients being used in bleaching creams are Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, and Mandelic Acid.

What is it used for?

Meladerm® is generally used to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmented skin on the body or face. Many customers use the product to achieve a uniform skin tone by lightening the appearance of uneven areas and dark spots. The product can also be used to brighten the overall complexion by lightening the appearance of sun damaged skin.

How does hydroquinone work?

Hydroquinone works by decreasing the production and increasing the breakdown of melanosomes (melanin pigment granules) in the skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes). It does this by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make melanin.

Anal Bleaching Cream

Apparently, anal bleaching is the new brazilian waxing. For years, rumors persisted that stars were bleaching their anal areas to look younger….everywhere. Most people, including us, figured it was an urban myth. Then an episode of Doctor 90210 aired where an adult movie starlet came to the doctor’s office and exclaimed “I’m here for the anal bleaching.” This touched off a search on our part.

Abella Skin Care

Tyrosianse Inhibitors block tyrosinase enzymes from attaching to tyrosine, preventing its conversion into melanin. This unique blend is so effective that only 2% Hydroquinone is needed, minimizing irritation to sensitive skin. It’s ten times more effective than Kojic Acid, which only blocks melanin. Combining these ingredients provides the greatest protection against pigmentation.

Skin Whitening and Skin Bleaching Cream

Imagine…more sensual skin in as little as five days with exquisite skin whitening and skin bleaching creams from Fair & Flawless.Welcome to Fair & Flawless. Our unique, dermatologist-approved skin whitening and bleaching products have been beautifully transforming head to toe complexions for over a decade. These creamy, dreamy, natural formulations are simply among the safest, healthiest – and most effective – ways to lighten, soften and protect skin.

Skin bleaching cream couple fined

The illicit products contained banned prescription-only steroids and hydroquinone, a bleaching agent which is dangerous in excessive quantities.The couple ignored official warnings and even previous convictions to sell banned bleaching cream from their two cosmetics shops.

Designed to lighten skin discoloration and pigmentation.

Physicians Complex® 6% Skin Bleaching cream is a unique formulation combining Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid and Bearberry Extract in conjunction with Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acid Complex. This product is designed to lighten skin discoloration and pigmentation.



By: peterhutch

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