Skin Whitening

Some don’t even know it. There are skin lightening products to help get rid of your hyperpigmentation, melasma, freckles, uneven skin tone, dark skin discolorations, acne scars, dark underarms, elbows, knees or inner thighs. But a safety issue is raised over the availability of harmful skin lighteners or whiteners in the market.

Knowing what to choose and how to use will help you achieve the fair skin tone from products that actually deliver.

Success in skin lightening of dark skin pigmentations does not rely on products alone. In addition to the skin whiteners, a good regimen should also include sunscreen, Vitamin C and moisturizers.

A good sunscreen should have a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 50 or better to prevent further darkening or sun damage. You should know that the powerful sun radiates both UVA and UVB rays that a good sunscreen should block. UVA rays are capable of aging and wrinkling of the skin, while UVB is the culprit for sunburn and probable skin cancer. If you should look for the ingredients in a sunscreen, choose the ones with Avobenzone, Zinc Oxide, PArsol 1789 or Mexoryl-SX. Wear sunscreen at all times whenever outdoors, whether you’re in a skin lightening regimen or not.

500mg of Vitamin C supplement can decrease the production of melanin (brown pigments responsible for skin tanning). Ever wonder why glutathione (whitening) pills are taken with Vitamin C? It’s the ascorbic acid that does most of the job actually, so you’d be better off taking these supplements while using skin lightening products for best results.

Your favorite moisturizers will keep your skin hydrated during the skin whitening process. Remember skin lighteners have a mild drying effect (that’s why in some cases, acne is controlled while lightening the acne scars) necessary to prepare the skin for exfoliation and peeling off the dull and unwanted dark skin patches. You should apply your face cream or body lotions 15-20 minutes after using the skin lightening products.

Suggested time to apply skin lighteners is at bedtime, then use sunscreen at daytime.

Follow these simple secrets and you’ll be on your way to better self esteem, even skin tone and a rosy whiter skin!

By: Jose & Maria Baltazar

Thinking About Skin Lightning? Know the Ingredients of Your Skin Lightning Creams

If you ever considered skin lightning or skin whitening treatment, you’ve probably encountered the substance called Hydroquinone. Until recently, Hydroquinone was the standard treatment for uneven skin tone, all around the world. People thought that Hydroquinone was safest and most effective treatment for hyper-pigmentation, including age spots, sun damage and various skin discolorations.

So what caused the banning of hydroquinone? Turns out that there are lethal side effects associated with the long term use of synthetic hydroquinone. The acute complications of hydroquinone are transient and include contact dermatitis, paradoxical PIH, and hypopigmentation or the so called “halo effect”.

Chronic adverse events include exogenous ochronosis, especially in women of African descent, nail discoloration, and permanent leukoderma. Indeed, Hydroquinone’s toxicity and tendency to irritate skin has resulted with the European Committee banning its use in cosmetics and limiting its availability to prescriptions only. In the US, the FDA proposed that hydroquinone based bleaching creams should be removed from the shelves and be available only in prescription branded medications.

But this doesn’t mean that skin lightning came to an end. On the contrary! During the last few years, manufacturers studied natural alternatives to hydroquinone and found many exciting new ways to treat post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

ALPHA-ARBUTIN

Alpha-Arbutin is a pure, water soluble, biosynthetic active ingredient, promoting an effective, fast, and safe approach to skin lightening and even skin tone on all skin types. How does it work? Alpha-Arbutin blocks epidermal melanin biosynthesis by inhibiting enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine, minimizes liver spots, and reduces the degree of skin tanning after UV exposure. Alpha-Arbutin meets all requirements of a modern skin lightening and skin depigmentation product.

BETA-ARBUTIN

Beta-Arbutin, often referred to as Arbutin, is a natural extract found in Bearberry plants. Though Arbutin is a natural derivative of hydroquinone, it does not possess the same risks or side effects and delivers exquisite results.

GLYCOLIC ACID

Glycolic Acid is the most active and beneficial of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) family. It is generally used as a natural skin exfoliant and moisturizer. Glycolic Acid evens out skin discoloration and helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles. AHAs such as Glycolic Acid can assist other ingredients in skin lighteners by allowing them to penetrate farther into the skin.

LACTIC ACID

Also an AHA, Lactic Acid mimics the properties of Glycolic Acid but is typically better suited for individuals with sensitive skin.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C, the king of vitamins, is a naturally occurring antioxidant obtained from citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables producing only a limited increase in skin concentration. Vitamin C interacts with copper ions of the tyrosinase active site and reduces oxidized dopaquinone, thereby changing melanin from jet black to light tan.

Next time when you choose a skin lightning product, take a quick look at this list and make sure there’s no hydroquinone present. And remember that all of these natural substances are used in Makari De Suisse skin lightning creams and skin whitening products.

Visit www.Makari.com and enhance your complexion naturally, with bleach and hydroquinone-free choice.

Black is beautiful but blotchy pigments and unhealthy skin is unwanted. Makari De Suisse helps you enhance your complexion naturally and with a Bleach and Hydroquinone-free choice.

By: Mark Etinger