Do Lightening Creams Work? The Truth Revealed
Many people turn to lightening creams to achieve a brighter, more even skin tone. But do lightening creams work? Are they safe for your skin? Before spending money on a lightening cream, it’s essential to understand the science behind these products and their potential side effects and benefits. Let’s explore
Ingredients in Lightening Creams- Overview:
It is crucial to know its ingredients to understand the action of lightening creams. One ingredient widely used in lightening creams is Hydroquinone which lightens the skin by inhibiting melanin production. However, FDA has banned this product due to its side effects, and only available by prescription. The other ingredients of lightening creams are:
- Vitamin C.
- Kojic Acid.
- Â Arbutin.
Before using any lightening cream, research and consult a dermatologist.
How Skin Lightening Creams Work?
Lightening cream works by reducing the pigment that is responsible for the color of our skin. Most skin-lightening creams contain:
These ingredients perform the following functions.
Hydroquinone:
This ingredient in the skin brightening cream is responsible for reducing melanocyte production.
Vitamin C:
This is a powerful antioxidant in skin-lightening creams that lowers melanin production in our cells.
Glycolic acid:
This one is also a component of brightening skin creams; it works by exfoliating the skin by removing dead skin cells and brightening the skin.
Retinoids:
It is derived from vitamin A and is also used to lighten dark spots. They speed up the turnover of skin cells and lighten skin tone
The Conditions that Lightening Creams Treated:
There are different whitening treatments for skin such as whitening shots and creams. Skin-lightening creams treat the many skin conditions that cause discoloration.
- Melasma
- Age spots
- Acne scars
- Freckles
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Addison’s disease
The Potential Risks of Using Lightening Creams:
Along with the brighter complexion, lightening creams have some side effects too. Hydroquinone is the most common lightening ingredient in these creams, which can cause skin problems like
- Redness.
- Irritation.
- Â Ochronosis (skin discoloration).
If we use hydroquinone in the long term, it can cause skin cancer.
– Arbutin and kojic acid can also cause skin irritation in some people. It is essential to see the side effects before using any product on your face. These creams contain corticosteroids that cause acne and lead to the breakdown of the skin.
Lightening creams promote colorism. It is a belief that darker skin is not beautiful. Some females feel pressure from society and use these harmful products to lighten their skin tone. It is a profound side effect of these creams.
Risk of Mercury Poisoning:
Lightning creams also contain mercury, which is a heavy toxic metal. FDA has limited the trace amount of mercury in cosmetic products. It should not exceed 1ppm. According to research, 6% of cosmetics contain high mercury levels despite the recommended amount.
Using mercury has the following side effects
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Numbness
- Depression
- Tingling
- Forgetfulness
The severe symptoms of mercury poisoning are:
- Walking difficulty
- Muscles weakness
- Trouble breathing
- Confusion
Some studies prove that using mercury for a long time can cause nephrotic syndrome. It is a kidney disorder in which our body excretes more protein in the urine. This syndrome is treatable if we stop mercury usage.
The Effectiveness of Lightening Creams :
The effectiveness of lightening creams depends upon different factors such as skin condition and type. For example, lightening creams can not treat genetic skin conditions like melasma; they effectively treat hyperpigmentation due to sun damage and acne scars. It’s essential to consult a dermatologist for any skin treatment plan suitable to your skin type and condition.
Some Alternative Options to Get a Brighter Complexion:
Here are some alternative options to get brighter skin other than lightning cream.
- Add Vitamin C to your skincare routine. It makes your skin bright and even.
- Use alpha hydroxy acid and retinoids as exfoliating agents because these products remove dead skin cells and make skin smooth and bright.
- Maintain a healthy diet and keep yourself hydrated for a brighter and glowy complexion.
Skin Lightening Creams and Dermatologist Recommendations:
Dermatologist recommendation is very critical before using skin-lightening products. These products contain harmful substances that can cause permanent skin damage. A dermatologist will guide and recommend safe and effective options. They also guide you on using these products without any damage or side effects.
Skin-lightening creams don’t give instant results; it can take weeks or months to show results. Moreover, the results of these creams are temporary. When you stop using these creams, after some time, your skin returns to its natural color and texture.
How To Use:
- Use a minimum amount of cream only on dark areas of skin once or two times a day.
- Always Wash your hands before or after the application of the cream.
- Apply a cream with a cotton bud, not with figures.
- Don’t apply the cream on the surrounding area, like mouth, nose, and eyes.
List of Natural Skin Lighteners:
Here is a list of natural lighteners for the skin. These ingredients lighten skin naturally.
FAQs:
1- Explain the main difference between whitening, brightening, and lightening of skin.
Whitening means bleaching of skin and changing its natural skin tone to whiter skin.
Skin brightening means a natural glow and rejuvenation of your skin.
Lightening means fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation and making skin tone even and smooth.
2- What is laser skin lightening?
Using Laser to lighten the skin’s dark patches, spots, and blemishes is called laser skin lightening. This is an advanced method for skin lightening.
Conclusion:
Finally, Do skin-lightening creams work? Yes. But Remember! Always choose safe and effective products that have no side effects. Avoid products that contain mercury and other harmful substances that damage your skin. Always consider dermatologist recommendations before using any product on your skin. The Last tip for healthy skin is to protect it from the sun’s UV rays and follow a proper skincare routine.
References:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2020.1845597
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647520301416
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/skin-products-containing-mercury-andor-hydroquinone
Very well explained