Skin Care Info

Article by Ava Cantos.

The idea of skin lightening has been around since the beginning of the cultural class structure. For example, in ancient Asian cultures, those who stayed inside, usually the wealthy and educated had fair, white skin. On the other hand, those that worked outside and were exposed to the effects of the sun had much darker skin and were considered part of the lower class.

As a result, those with darker skin tones tried to lighten their skin, using a variety of natural ingredients, so that they would not be immediately classified. Unfortunately, this process still continues today in many parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. However, in America, skin lightening is generally reserved for specific parts of the skin including lightening sun spots, moles, freckles, and intimate areas. This is because tanned skin, compared with fair skin, is considered more desirable in America.

While most skin lightening products sold in North America are generally safe to use, you may want to consult with your medical provider if you plan to lighten large areas of the skin including the face.

The Dangers of Hydroquinone

While there are many skin lightening products to choose from, most people tend to use a topical, over-the-counter skin bleaching product. Typically these products contain one main ingredient: Hydroquinone. While the United Stated still allows products that contain Hydroquinone to be sold legally, most industrialized countries including the United Kingdom, France, and Japan have completely banned the sale of all products containing Hydroquinone. This trend is sure to continue as more and more countries begin realizing the inherent dangers of using Hydroquinone.

In fact, some recent studies have shown a link between using Hydroquinone and the development of cancer in addition to a variety of other potential medical problems.

Fortunately, many reputable skin lightening, skin whitening, and skin bleaching products are effective and do not have to rely upon using Hydroquinone as their main ingredient. This is just one reason that you need to be sure to read the list of ingredients for any skin lightening product you want to buy.

Conclusion

Some of the typical reasons people buy skin lightening products are to reduce the appearance of scars, moles, freckles, sun spots, and Hyperpigmented areas of the skin. Additionally, there has been a recent trend in intimate area lightening. This includes anal bleaching, vaginal bleaching, underarm bleaching, and nipple bleaching.

If you plan to lighten any area of your skins, read the ingredient list carefully, and never choose a product that does not list its ingredients. These products either have something to hide or have a very weak list of ingredients. Additionally, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients and should therefore only trust companies that are upfront about their products.

Once you find a reputable skin bleaching product, be sure to follow the directions carefully. This is because you may experience some minor discomfort when trying to lighten your skin. While minor irritation should be expected, especially after you initially apply the treatment, any prolonged irritation or discomfort should cause you to discontinue use of the product.

In conclusion, skin lightening products continue to advance in terms of effectiveness and overall safety. However, may of these skin whitening products are simply not regulated enough including those products that contain Hydroquinone. Therefore, be sure to research each skin lightening product before making a decision.

Benzoyl Peroxide is a common ingredient in acne cream and treatments. This dangerous chemical causes free radicals in the skin, and has links to worse diseases. There are new natural acne cures that have hit the acne treatment market which should be used to cure acne safely.

Hydroquinone is an ingredient commonly found in skin lightening creams and is used to treat hyperpigmentation and fade dark marks. It works by limiting the action of melanocytes (melanin producing cells) in the skin so that less pigment is produced.

You may be worried about the associated dangers of hydroquinone based products and looking for hydroquinone free creams to treat your pigmentation woes.

Why is it Dangerous?

Prolonged use of hydroquinone has also been shown to cause a condition called Ochronosis. Ochronosis is a condition where the user develops patches of thick dark brown skin or blue-black patches on darker skin.

It has also been said that hydroquinone is carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer. This has been revealed in laboratory tests on rodents but there is not yet any real evidence to show that it is carcinogenic to humans.

Does That Mean I Shouldn’t Use It?

Using skin lightening creams with low concentrations of hydroquinone (less than 2%) for short periods of time minimizes the risk of these dangerous side effects. Using higher concentrations such as 4-6% or using any concentration for several months or longer means you are more exposed to the risk of skin cancer or developing worse pigmentation problems.

It is also important to remember that the sale of hydroquinone based creams is banned in most parts of the world. You can buy creams containing low concentrations of hydroquinone over the counter in the United States where you can also obtain higher concentrations by prescription from a dermatologist.

Although there is no concrete evidence to show that it can cause cancer in humans, you might not want to take that chance! If you require a skin lightening cream for use over a longer period of time (more than a few weeks), you are better off looking at hydroquinone free creams as an alternative.

What Hydroquinone Free Alternatives are Available?

There are many safe, natural ingredients that can be used for skin lightening. Common ingredients are arbutin (bearberry extract), kojic acid, lactic acid, licorice extract and citric acid. Finding a product that contains these ingredients is a safer way of giving you the same end result.

The well publicized dangers of hydroquinone mean that many more people are looking to safer, hydroquinone free creams and the market for these is rapidly growing.

If you have searched for treatment for laser hair removal on blonde hair in the past, you have probably been very disappointed. Perhaps you have even tried laser hair removal on blonde hair and found that there was hardly any improvement even after numerous sessions of treatment. Today things are very different and laser hair removal on blonde hair is both possible and effectual.

However, you must be aware that there are still many beautician clinics that rely on older technology; if they are somewhat unscrupulous there is a danger that some may advise you against attempting laser hair removal on blonde hair claiming that it cannot be successfully performed, in order to sell you other kinds of hair removal services.

Effective Laser Hair Removal on Blonde Hair

Laser hair removal on blonde hair can be successful and effectual, but it is essential that you are well-informed and that you do your research thoroughly in order to identify the very best beautician clinics in your region for your own special situation. People who are pale-skinned and dark-haired are fortunate in that they can be treated at any FDA-authorized laser hair removal beautician clinics, but if you are looking to have your blonde hair treated with lasers then you will need to be choosier.

All laser hair removal systems can temporarily reduce hair growth for all hair colors except completely unpigmented hairs (i.e. white hairs). However, with old-style laser hair removal systems, blonde, red or gray haired clients were unlikely to see much difference in terms of permanent reduction of surplus hair – they would need to be treated at about 1-3 month intervals to obtain much benefit.

Modern Laser Hair Removal Treatments

With modern laser systems, the range and precision of light wavelengths offers many more options and the more advanced laser hair removal clinics will carefully tailor treatment to each clients individual situation based on skin color and hair color. An example of one of these systems is the “Epilight” hair removal system.

Other options for laser hair removal on blonde hair include hybrid systems such as the “ELOS” system, which blends laser technology with the deployment of radio waves.

Pigmenting Blonde Hair for Laser Hair Removal

In addition, there are pre-laser treatments now available which will artificially color the hair follicle cells to increase the options and effectiveness of laser hair removal on blonde hair. “Meladine” is one such pre-laser hair removal treatment. Cleared in 2003 by the FDA to be used alongside laser hair removal on blonde hair, Meladine, which is made from naturally-occurring chemicals present in the ink of marine squid, enhances the natural melatonin in hair roots. This enables the lasers used in hair removal to effectively target blonde hair.

Classification of Your Hair and Skin Type for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal medical professionals will classify your skin type based on a system called “The Fitzpatrick Chart”, and it is useful to be aware of this system in preparation for your discussion with a laser hair removal consultant or medical professional.

Skin Types on the Fitzpatrick Chart:

TYPE I: Very pale and prone to burning, never tans.

TYPE II: Very sensitive to the rays of the sun, often burns, hard to tan.

TYPE III: Sensitive to the rays of the sun, sometimes burns, tans slowly to light brown color.

TYPE IV: Not particularly sensitive to the rays of the sun, rarely burns, tans to moderate brown.

TYPE V: Not sensitive to the rays of the sun, rarely burns, tans well.

TYPE VI: Insensitive to the rays of the sun, never burns, deeply pigmented.

modern technology now means that laser hair removal on blonde hair is a true viable prospect at last – as long as you do your homework and find the appropriate laser hair removal clinic for you.

The idea of skin lightening has been around since the beginning of the cultural class structure. For example, in ancient Asian cultures, those who stayed inside, usually the wealthy and educated had fair, white skin. On the other hand, those that worked outside and were exposed to the effects of the sun had much darker skin and were considered part of the lower class.

As a result, those with darker skin tones tried to lighten their skin, using a variety of natural ingredients, so that they would not be immediately classified. Unfortunately, this process still continues today in many parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. However, in America, skin lightening is generally reserved for specific parts of the skin including lightening sun spots, moles, freckles, and intimate areas. This is because tanned skin, compared with fair skin, is considered more desirable in America.

While most skin lightening products sold in North America are generally safe to use, you may want to consult with your medical provider if you plan to lighten large areas of the skin including the face.

The Dangers of Hydroquinone

While there are many skin lightening products to choose from, most people tend to use a topical, over-the-counter skin bleaching product. Typically these products contain one main ingredient: Hydroquinone. While the United Stated still allows products that contain Hydroquinone to be sold legally, most industrialized countries including the United Kingdom, France, and Japan have completely banned the sale of all products containing Hydroquinone. This trend is sure to continue as more and more countries begin realizing the inherent dangers of using Hydroquinone.

In fact, some recent studies have shown a link between using Hydroquinone and the development of cancer in addition to a variety of other potential medical problems.

Fortunately, many reputable skin lightening, skin whitening, and skin bleaching products are effective and do not have to rely upon using Hydroquinone as their main ingredient. This is just one reason that you need to be sure to read the list of ingredients for any skin lightening product you want to buy.

Conclusion

Some of the typical reasons people buy skin lightening products are to reduce the appearance of scars, moles, freckles, sun spots, and Hyperpigmented areas of the skin. Additionally, there has been a recent trend in intimate area lightening. This includes anal bleaching, vaginal bleaching, underarm bleaching, and nipple bleaching.

If you plan to lighten any area of your skins, read the ingredient list carefully, and never choose a product that does not list its ingredients. These products either have something to hide or have a very weak list of ingredients. Additionally, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients and should therefore only trust companies that are upfront about their products.

Once you find a reputable skin bleaching product, be sure to follow the directions carefully. This is because you may experience some minor discomfort when trying to lighten your skin. While minor irritation should be expected, especially after you initially apply the treatment, any prolonged irritation or discomfort should cause you to discontinue use of the product.

In conclusion, skin lightening products continue to advance in terms of effectiveness and overall safety. However, may of these skin whitening products are simply not regulated enough including those products that contain Hydroquinone. Therefore, be sure to research each skin lightening product before making a decision.