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    How skin lightening and brightening works

    Updated:26 May 2015 5:31 PM | Posted by
    bh's Carli Alman's picture
    bh's Carli Alman
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    Let’s face it; we live in a world where women are on continuously on the hunt for products that’ll help them look more youthful and radiant. Which is why it makes so much sense that the trend of skin whitening and brightening has become big business.

    Sure, there are still thousands of women who’ll flock to the beach in an effort to give their complexion a bit of a sun-kissed tan, but it seems that lately a bigger emphasis is now being placed on having clear, bright skin because of how youthful-looking it will leave your skin. Dermatologist Dr. Adrian Lim from the Australasian College of Dermatologists says: “A nice, even-toned complexion counts for a lot. They’ve done studies on faces and having an even pigmentation can wipe off up to 10-15 years.”
     

    WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GETTING YOUR SKIN LIGHTENED?

    There are a number of beneficial features from getting skin whitened and brightened, but overall it can really help your complexion. It can work to reduce any unwanted pigmentation, get rid of any damage cause by the sun, and can help improve the texture of your skin by removing thickened layers of skin and dead skin.
     

    HOW DOES SKIN LIGHTENING AND BRIGHTENING WORK?

    Lasers target the melanin in the pigment cells, which causes the pigment cells to, for lack of a better word, crust off and reveal refreshed, glowing skin underneath.
    Then, it’s up to certain active ingredients to do the rest by helping to prevent pigmentation production.

    According to GMC Cosmedical cosmetic physician and laser surgeon Dr George M. Calfas, the popularity of the trend has sparked improvements in the products available to those who want to brighten and even out their skin tone. “There’s a much better range of skin products now, particularly in regards to medical grade or prescription products,” he says.
    Products now feature effective agents like hydroquinoine, kojic acis, azelaic acid and retinoid acid, and there are so many more better quality and higher grade chemical peels available – all of which help to penetrate deeper into the skin without compromising safety. There have also been huge improvements in the technology of the lasers, meaning that many people can have the treatment and go back to work with little down time.
     

    BUT WHAT ABOUT OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS?

    This boom in skin whitening treatments and technology isn’t just restricted to clinic and salons, there’s also been a huge increase in skin care products that help even out and bright your skin. So how do these over-the-counter products compare to professional treatments and do they deserve a place in our bathroom cabinets? While at-home treatments are not as effective as professional lasers and peels because they are less powerful and produce slower results, they can still improve the complexion significantly. “It’s cost effective. A little bit slower, but it works. Obviously if they get prescription grade products they’re faster working because they’re more intense,” says Dr Calfas, who believes that at-home treatments are good for those people who can’t afford to take down time.

    However, Dr Caswell says that unless there is only a minimal problem, most over-the-counter products are not strong enough to do the job properly. She also reveals that facial skin pigmentation such as melasma and cholasma can only be treated using chemical and fractionated laser. Dr Lim also credits over-the-counter products for maintaining treatments, which are a big part of treating pigmentation.

    Do you suffer from uneven skin and pigmentation? Would you consider having your skin professionally lightened and brightened?

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    38 Member Comments

    Yohanna 26 Jan 2019 10:17 AM

    After being member of BH for so long, and thanks to the forumites...have tested so much for my pigmentation. Acids (good combo is important), retinol and hyaluronic acid or equivalent to keep the cell environment hydrated...very important-for the delivery of the goods deep down where melanocites go mad.

    Eyeream 8 Feb 2018 6:31 PM

    Would this be expensive

    juniper09 12 Jul 2017 8:45 PM

    Have been using this product for many years. Really nice serum at very reasonable price.It gives skin permanent fair look. it also give a matte look. No shine or oily layers are left on skin.Dermalmd skin lighten serum gets absorbed quickly.Totally Thumbs up serum!!1

    jlsta 4 May 2017 6:42 PM

    I certainly from uneven skin and pigmentation and would consider having my skin professionally lightened and brightened!

    fortune favours the beautiful 31 Aug 2016 9:50 AM

    I spend too much time in the sun. My skin is bad now and starting to show spots of pigmentation. I am guessing it will get much worse the older I get

    talk-a-lot 15 Jul 2016 4:17 PM

    I have uneven skin tone, find lightening and brightening skincare products beneficial.

    Linda_Vesinger 15 Jul 2016 1:04 PM

    I'd love to try fraxel lasering for pigmentation around my neck & decollete - too much sun damage in my younger years!

    reni267 4 May 2015 1:27 PM

    I wouldn't lighten my skin but maybe the brightening treatment, just to get a fresh glowing skin.

    yumna_xx 22 Apr 2015 7:26 AM

    I would rather do it naturally.

    Beauty Hungry 21 Apr 2015 2:19 PM

    It's good to read an article about skin brightening and getting away from sun bathing as a full-time occupation and suggesting solutions for keeping our skin healthy and youthful.

    Yohanna 25 Feb 2015 3:03 AM

    Since I can not use hydroquinoine for too long (apparently is carcinogenic), I may try laser if dark patches come back

    Yohanna 25 Feb 2015 3:02 AM

    Some of us "have" to do this, but I was vary of the results I have seen in some people, so I opted for more "mild" approach-hydroquinoine cream. A bit toxic, but worked on my melasma!!!

    ren812 16 Feb 2015 2:57 AM

    Very interesting - thank you bh

    Lily Mei 8 Dec 2014 9:04 PM

    I'm not sure I would ever get this done.

    Jlgaddes 27 Nov 2014 4:35 AM

    good article, my daughter has been having laser treatment to lighten her skin due to medication which left her face with dark patches.........it has worked well

    Monahasan 21 Oct 2014 11:38 AM

    Interesting article. Would like to get this done but I am not sure if it would be totally safe or not. You might come to know of it's side effects much later...who knows....

    yumna_xx 16 Oct 2014 10:42 AM

    I accidentally have a really dark tan and i need brighter skin so badly!!!!!!

    Gail157 25 Sep 2014 6:37 AM

    I too, am an older female who has age spots although the rest of my skin seems to be a bit more eventoned. I would also like to use something to fade these spots a BIT and to brighten my skin as well. My biggest problem is not know just which product would work for me!!

    freaky 24 Sep 2014 11:49 AM

    Id like to try over the counter products for brighter skin. Theres so much innovative products out there now

    Miss19 5 Aug 2014 6:40 AM

    I have uneven skin tone and acne scarring so I could use skin brightening.

    Growing old 5 Aug 2014 4:07 AM

    I regularly post a comment after missfortunate8. Where did you get the script from? I expect you would need to go to a dermatologist?

    Growing old 5 Aug 2014 4:05 AM

    I would love to have an even skin tone! I've been battling pigmentation with at home products for the past year and a bit and the marks have definately lightened significantly. Pleased with the results...now it is more even it has highlighted my broken capillaries! I would love laser to fix those. I'm 46 and have already asked for that treatment for my 50th lol...getting in Early!

    misfortune8 21 Jul 2014 9:50 PM

    I used to have a spot of mild pigmentation but I got a cream from a compounding chemist. Salicylic acid (same ingredient in aspirin) compounded into simple sorbolene. Compounding means that it's mixed SO perfectly the first scoop of mixture contains exactly the same amount of active ingredient as the last scoop, ie no settling. You can't do it yourself with sorbolene & a few aspirin tablets. It worked so well I didn't even finish the jar. It's been sitting in the bathroom for years!

    marcia9 21 Jul 2014 12:40 AM

    Products for skin are so hard to find that suit my skin hmmm researching is the best thing possibly reading more informative information on this will help

    ray_jay 7 Jul 2014 8:53 AM

    so rosehip oil isnt really going to do anything right???

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