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Shedding light on dark spots
Sunshine, wonderful as it is, can cause all sorts of skin damage, so your body protects itself with dark pigment called melanin. Some people tan in the sun, others get freckles. Both are evidence of increased melanin. Sun exposure and the passage of time can cause senile lentigines: freckles of old age. Also, hormonal imbalances, brought on by pregnancy or birth control pills, can leave dark spots on the face, often referred to as the "mask of pregnancy." For the most part, these are all just superficial changes to the skin and are not dangerous or threatening. Since dark spots can be a cosmetic annoyance, plenty of products are available to even out skin tone.
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Don't Get Burned
- For best results, begin application as early as possible once skin darkening is detected.
- Keep your expectations realistic; at their best, skin bleaches lighten dark spots by about 50%.
- Even the best results don't last forever; continue using the product to touch up and maintain the original effects.
- Avoid sun exposure during use, and on an ongoing basis after the desired lightening is achieved. Always protect areas being treated by using a sunscreen, sunblock, or better yet, protective clothing.
- As sun protection is essential to ensure the long- and short-term effectiveness of skin bleaches, look for a product that also contains a sunscreen.
- Sometimes a doctor can help when a skin bleach has failed; keep this in mind for future treatment.
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Hydroquinone
The only approved skin-bleaching agent, hydroquinone stops the production of the skin pigment melanin. This effect does not occur rapidly, therefore, hydroquinone must be applied for several weeks. Since melanin production is prevented, you need to protect yourself from UV light when you use hydroquinone.
Sunscreens
Suncreens work to either absorb or reflect damaging UV radiation. They are often included in skin-bleaching products to compensate for the loss of melanin from hydroquinone use. Sunscreens might cause skin irritations.
Emollients
Fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and natural and synthetic oils are incorporated into skin-bleaching products as vehicles for hydroquinone and sunscreens. They also protect skin against dehydration and soothe irritations.
Surfactants
Surfactants help ensure that the various chemicals combine for a smooth product. They help chemicals in the product stay dissolved.
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Appropriate Uses
Skin-lightening agent
Lightens the darker pigments in skin and fades darker pigments in skin that arise from pregnancy, age or liver spots, use of oral contraceptives, or too much exposure to sunlight. Also inhibits melanin production of skin cells.
Use It Carefully
- Products with concentrations of 2% hydroquinone or higher may cause serious or permanent skin damage, if used for long periods of time.
- Apply in a thin layer to the affected skin twice daily or as recommended by your doctor.
- Sometimes treated areas will become slightly darker before becoming lighter.
- Dark spots are usually lightened about 50% after treatment.
- If you do not protect your skin with sunscreen, treated areas will darken again.
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Be Careful with Chemicals
- Do not use a solution with a concentration greater than 2%. Concentrations of 1.5% to 2% hydroquinone may cause:
- Slight inflammation of the affected area
- Brown discoloration of nails (will fade after discontinuing use)
- Use of higher-than-recommended concentration of hydroquinone may cause:
- Pitch-black pigmentation
- Thickening of skin
- Yellowish lesions
- Do not use if you are allergic to hydroquinone or any other ingredient in the product.
- Hydroquionone may be toxic when ingested, and may result in:
- Tremors and convulsions
- Hemolytic anemia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Delirium
- Do not use for a prolonged period of time.
- Discontinue use if improvement is not seen within three months.
- Avoid contact with eyes.
- Monitor skin color changes carefully to avoid excess lightening of skin.
- Do not allow contact with eyes.
- Do not administer to children under age 12.
- If severe irritation develops, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
- Limit sun exposure with the use of sunscreen, sunblock, or clothing, during and after use of hydroquinone.
- Do not apply to sunburned or damaged skin.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Food & Drug Administration.Federal Register 9/3/82.
- 2. Covington, TR; RR Berardi, LL Young, SC Kendall, MJ Hickey.Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington DC, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
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