Can you lighten your skin color

If you want to lighten your skin, learning to properly care for your skin on a day-to-day basis will help your skin stay bright and tight, and more substantial and scientifically proven lighting products are also widely available. If you want even more options, there are a variety of unstudied folk remedies for you to explore with caution as well. To keep your skin lighter without harsh chemical treatments, protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen.

You can also keep your skin looking bright and clear by washing it twice a day and exfoliating times a week. To help your skin stay rejuvenated and generate newer, less pigmented cells more quickly, drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Another great way to protect your skin and keep it from looking grey or ashy is to avoid smoking. For more tips from our Cosmetologist co-author, including how to lighten your skin with chemical treatments, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.

No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Try a skin-lightening cream. There is an abundance of skin-lightening creams available over-the-counter. They all work by reducing melanin the pigment which causes tanning and sun spots in the skin.

Look for products containing effective skin-lightening ingredients such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C or arbutin. Never use a skin-lightening cream that contains mercury as the active ingredient.

Mercury-based skin creams are banned in the US but are still available in other parts of the world. Use retinoids. Retinoid creams are made from an acidic form of Vitamin A and can effectively lighten skin by exfoliating the skin and speeding up cell turnover. Not only do retinoid creams lighten skin and clear discoloration, but they are also highly effective at smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, plumping up the skin, and making it look brighter and younger.

In higher concentrations, it can also help to clear acne. Retinoid creams can cause dryness, redness, and flakiness at first, but these symptoms should subside once your skin gets used to the product. Retinoids also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you should only apply them at night and be sure to wear sunscreen during the day. Retinoids are only available with a prescription, so you should make an appointment with your dermatologist if you are interested in pursuing this treatment.

However, a less potent version of retinoid cream, known as retinol, is available in many over-the-counter beauty products. Get a chemical peel. Chemical peels can be very effective at lightening the skin. They work by burning away the top layers of skin which are highly pigmented or discolored, revealing the fresher, lighter-colored skin underneath.

The peel may cause a tingling, stinging or burning sensation on the skin can often leave it looking red or swollen for a couple of days afterwards. A series of chemical peels done 2 to 4 weeks apart is usually recommended. During this time it is important to avoid the sun and to be vigilant about wearing sunscreen, as your skin is extra sensitive. Try microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a good alternative option for people whose skin is sensitive to acid peels and creams. It essentially exfoliates or "polishes" the skin, removing dull, darker layers and leaving skin brighter and fresher.

During the treatment, a small closed vacuum with a rotating diamond tip is applied to the face. Dead skin cells are removed and sucked into the vacuum. The treatment usually takes somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes, although 6 to 12 treatments may be necessary to achieve noticeable results.

Some people may experience a little redness or dryness after the treatment but, in general, microdermabrasion has fewer side effects than other treatments. Method 2. Wear sunscreen everyday. Sun exposure can wreak all sorts of havoc on your complexion, from freckles and brown spots to serious sunburns and skin cancer. If you want lighter skin, you have to care for it properly, using a sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor SPF rating.

Skin lightening. The main techniques used to lighten the skin include: skin-lightening creams laser treatment Trying a skin-lightening procedure is a major decision. Skin-lightening creams Prescription skin-lightening creams Powerful skin-lightening creams are available on prescription from a doctor. These usually contain one or both of the following medicines: hydroquinone corticosteroids steroid medicine , such as hydrocortisone Skin-lightening creams you can buy without a prescription Many alternative skin-lightening products are available to buy online or in shops or pharmacies without a prescription.

How to use skin-lightening creams Your doctor will advise you how to use your skin-lightening cream. You'll usually be advised to: use the minimum amount, once or twice a day, on the darkened area of skin only avoid getting the cream on the surrounding skin or in your eyes, mouth and nose apply the cream with a cotton bud, or wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the cream avoid touching the treated area against another person's skin for at least a few hours after applying the cream use sun cream to protect your skin from the aggravating effects of sunlight Most people will need to continue the treatment for around 3 or 4 months.

Possible side effects Side effects of skin-lightening creams can include: redness and swelling skin irritation and inflammation a burning or stinging sensation itchy and flaky skin What could go wrong Possible risks of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids or mercury include: skin turning dark or too light thinning of the skin visible blood vessels in the skin scarring kidney, liver or nerve damage abnormalities in a newborn baby if used during pregnancy If you're prescribed skin-lightening cream by a doctor, they should tell you about the potential risks and how common these are.

What to do if you have problems If you get side effects while using a prescribed skin-lightening cream, contact a doctor for advice. Laser skin lightening A laser can also be used to lighten blemishes or dark patches of skin. Cost Laser skin lightening is not usually available on the NHS, so you'll usually have to pay for it. What it involves Before the procedure starts, a test may be done on a small area of skin to see how it reacts. During a session: you'll be given special goggles to wear to protect your eyes from the laser a small handheld laser device will be held against your skin — this may feel like a rubber band snapping against your skin a jet of cold air may be blown onto your skin to keep it cool during the treatment Each session will usually last around 30 minutes to an hour.

You can go home when it's finished. Recovery It can take a 1 to 2 weeks for your skin to recover from laser skin lightening. To aid your recovery you should: wash the treated area gently with unperfumed soap and carefully dab it dry regularly apply aloe vera gel or petroleum jelly such as Vaseline to cool and soothe the treated area not pick at any scabs or crusts that develop take painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you have any discomfort and hold an ice pack wrapped in a towel against the skin to reduce any swelling apply sun cream to the treated area for at least 6 months to protect it from the aggravating effects of the sun Side effects to expect It's common after laser skin lightening to have: redness and swelling bruising crusting blistering These effects usually pass after 1 to 2 weeks.

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Skin bleaching creams that contain corticosteroids can cause steroid acne. Steroid acne mostly affects the chest, but can also show up on the back, arms, and other parts of the body with long-term use of corticosteroids. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder often caused by damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys responsible for filtering waste and excess water.

It causes your body to excrete too much protein in your urine. There are no specific health benefits to skin bleaching, but it can have a desirable cosmetic effect on the skin when used to treat certain skin conditions. Skin bleaching treatments can reduce dark spots on the skin caused by sun damage, aging, and hormonal changes. Some skin bleaching treatments may help fade acne scars.

Skin lightening can even out skin tone by minimizing areas of hyperpigmentation, such as sun damage. It can also help reduce the appearance of freckles. Use varies from product to product.

Skin lightening creams are typically applied only to dark areas of skin once or twice a day. This usually involves:. Many of the skin lightening pills available on the market are taken once daily, though there is no evidence that these are effective. Products marketed as natural skin bleaching aids are not regulated by the FDA. Most skin lightening products are not recommended for darker skin tones and could cause hyperpigmentation. Skin lightening treatments are also not recommended for use by children or people who are pregnant or nursing.

There is not enough evidence that they work, and there may be health risks. You can buy OTC skin bleaching products in cosmetic stores and beauty counters at department stores. But research the products carefully because of the potential side effects.