Skin whitening practices grew in popularity, partly as a consequence of blanqueamiento in Latin America. [84] The ideologies behind blanqueamiento promoted the idea of social hierarchy, based on Eurocentric features and skin tone. [85] Africa [ edit ] Key Ingredients: Green tea extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, aloe vera | Who It's For: Normal and oily skin, dullness | Fragrance-Free: No

If laser Skin whitening treatment is not your thing, you can opt for other treatment options. A dermatologist can best guide you on which treatment is more appropriate for you. If you have acne scars, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, or a mixture of all of the above, a brightening facial will likely come highly recommended by your esthetician. Generally speaking, a brightening facial will start with many of the facial basics like cleansing and masking. However, your skincare specialist will select the best brightening option—usually a peel— depending on your skin conditions and sensitivities. Boo, Y. C. (2019). Human Skin Lightening Efficacy of Resveratrol and Its Analogs: From in Vitro Studies to Cosmetic Applications. Antioxidants, 8(9).Microdermabrasion involves the use of a handheld device that blasts tiny crystals or uses an abrasive attachment to ‘sand’ the problematic skin area. Microdermabrasion helps reveal healthy and brighter skin underneath a superficial layer consisting of excess dead skin cells. Dermabrasion Products that even out a person's complexion or remove dark spots caused by acne serve common and understandable purposes in our society; these are generally as benign as any other cosmetic product. But it's also worth remembering that "skin-whitening" as a practice is deeply rooted in the historically prevalent, colorist belief that white or lighter skin is more desirable or attractive (or even a sign of success). This concept was heavily influenced by Eurocentric beauty standards that were promoted during the European colonial era. 11

Go slowly: Brightening serums have the capacity to be irritating, so Dr. Belkin recommends starting slow—say, using your chosen serum a few times per week, then working your way up to daily use as tolerated. “It should go after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing, since you’ll want maximum absorption of the active ingredients,” he says. The HydraFacial was the first facial I tried a couple of years ago, and I saw instant results. So what makes the treatment so special? The Vortex technology. "[The] HydraFacial is a popular treatment that uses Vortextechnology—a unique suction and delivery system that helps remove impurities from the skin," King explains. "Gentle lactic acid,glycolic acid, and salicylic acid are applied and suctioned away to exfoliate and extract, and hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants are left on the skin." Also, whether you have sensitive skin or not, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends having a trial or testing period with new products to make sure they’re safe for your skin. And if you’re concerned at all about using a product, it’s recommended that you consult your doctor or dermatologist. 18 How to test a whitening cream Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: An overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(4), 327-348.Kim, Ji Young; Kim, Dae Suk; Sohn, Hyojung; Lee, Eun Jung; Oh, Sang H

Areas of increased pigmentation such as moles may be depigmented to match the surrounding skin. Effective agents for specific areas include corticosteroids, tretinoin, and hydroquinone. [6] These agents, however, are not allowed in cosmetics in Europe due to concerns about side effects. [6] Attempts to whiten large areas of skin may also be carried out by certain cultures. [6] This may be done for reasons of appearance, politics, or economics. [6]Among the ingredients, hydroquinone is also commonly found and is responsible for multiple side effects. It can interfere with the reagents used in capillary blood glucose meters, artificially raising blood glucose levels. [100] a b c d Smit, Nico; Vicanova, Jana; Pavel, Stan (2009). "The Hunt for Natural Skin Whitening Agents". Int. J. Mol. Sci. 10 (12): 5326–5349. doi: 10.3390/ijms10125326. PMC 2801997. PMID 20054473. How each whitening cream works depends on its ingredients, but the majority of active ingredients found in these creams work by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which synthesizes melanin. 19 Preventing tyrosinase from doing its job should lower the amount of melanin, thereby reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Illegal skin whitening creams can come from around the world including Pakistan, the Middle East and the Caribbean to name just a few and can sometimes be bought under the counter in beauty shops or online. Azelaic acid: Found in grains such as wheat or barley, this ingredient effectively reduced the appearance of melasma hyperpigmentation in a 2023 study, and it may be able to treat mild-to-moderate acne in some adults. 48 49