Skin Lightening Treatment

Many skin lightening treatment products contain hydroquinone which destroy melanin. It is responsible for pigmentation and protection from cancer-causing ultraviolet rays of the sun. Everyone has melanin. The only difference is how much do they have. The more melanin in your skin, the darker your complexion will be.

Hydroquinone is a white crystalline de-pigmenting agent. When used in large concentrations, it can kill you. You may experience nausea, shortness of breath, convulsions and delirium. Prolonged use can likely lead to the irreversible skin damage such as wrinkles, severe acne, and marks.

Recently, many skin lightening products limit the concentration of hydroquinone to 2%. However, many consumers use too much prescribed skin lightening creams which contain low doses of hydroquinone to treat uneven pigmentation. This has caused them to suffer some side effects.

Many dermatologists and skin care experts aggressively promote skin lightening creams which they claim can even out cosmetic conditions such as vitiligo, liver spots, and other superficial blemishes. But these creams contain high level of hydroquinone. Many studies have substantiated that hydroquinone is not safe for skin bleaching. Moreover, it increases the risk of

* cancer
* adrenal gland problems
* all health conditions related to mercury poisoning
* developing a unusual metabolic disorder called ochronosis, which result in physical changes to the skin and tissues surrounding the eyes, ears, and joints

There are alternatives to hydroquinone when treating dark spots, hyperpigmentation, freckles, and melasma. Below is the list of botanical drugs that are now being widely used in many skin care preparations.

Arbutin is a plant-based hydroquinone. Wheat products, pears, coffee, tea and leaves of certain fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, and mulberries contain this natural melanin inhibiting compound. It disrupts the reactions that cause the natural process of melanin. A study in the Journal of Dermatological Science reported that arbutin is less effective than niacinamide or kojic acid in inhibiting the production of melanin.

Ascorbic acid or vitamin C has demonstrated its ability in lightening the skin. Studies show that after three months of treatment of using a combination of ascorbic acid and lactic acid, the skin of victims with medium to dark skin tones improved noticeably.

Kojic Acid is a by-product from the manufaturing of sake (Japanese rice wine). If your skin cannot tolerate hydroquinone, then you can consider kojic acid. Nervertheless, it has raised some health concerns.

Glutathione is an antioxidant. Our body produce glutathione witht the aid of a selenium and protein balanced diet. The International Journal of Cosmetic Science claims that it is an effective skin lightening ingredient. However, no one has established the standard amount of glutathione for skin lightening.

Grape seed extract has the potential to be a natural skin lightening compound. Researchers in Nago City, Japan observed the reversible action of skin darkening due to ultraviolet exposure that when they fed their guinea pigs with foods that have 1% grape seed extract. However, the same dosage did not have similar results with pigs.

The next time when you look for skin lightening treatment, make sure you go for natural. It is safe for your skin. Unlike mercury or hydroquinone, you don’t have to take the risk of developing cancer.

For more safer skin bleaching, visit this skin lightening treatment site that provides valuable information on how to eliminate age spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation and melasma without side effects.