Facts About Skin Lighteners and Brighteners
Uneven pigmentation affects most people, regardless of ethnic background or skin color. Skin may either appear lighter or darker than normal; there may be freckling, dark brown spots, acne scars, age spots, blotchiness, uneven skin tone, dark brown patches and/or sun damage.
Facts About Skin Lighteners and Brighteners:
Cosmetic brightening products focus on the appearance of uneven tone, dark spots and dullness. A cosmetic skincare routine does not replace medical advice for a pigmentation condition.
Ingredients and directions differ between products. Check the current product label rather than choosing a product based only on the words “lightening” or “brightening.”
U.S. hydroquinone safety: The FDA states that skin-lightening products containing hydroquinone are not approved for over-the-counter sale in the United States. Discuss prescription treatment options with your healthcare provider. Read the FDA’s skin product safety guidance.
Skin Conditions:
Hyperpigmentation describes areas of skin that appear darker than the surrounding skin. Melasma and sun spots are different forms of pigmentation and may need different care.
Aside from sun exposure and hormonal imbalance, hyperpigmentation can be caused by skin damage, such as acne scars, wounds and /or rashes. This is especially true for those with darker skin tones. The most typical cause of darkened areas of skin, brown spots or areas of discoloration is unprotected sun exposure.
Melasma is generally used to describe skin discolorations caused by hormones. These hormonal changes are usually the result of pregnancy, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.
Solar lentigens is the technical term for darkened spots on the skin caused by the sun. Solar refers to sunlight and lentigene refers to a darkened area of skin. These spots are quite common in adults with a long history of unprotected sun exposure.
Melanin has two major forms that combine to create varying skin tones. Eumelanin produces a range of brown skin and hair color, while pheomelanin produces a yellow to reddish hue.
Melanin provides some amount of sun protection for the skin by absorbing ultra violet light and darker skin colors are less susceptible to sunburn and the overall effects of sun damage. However, no matter what skin color, sunscreen is a must!
Difference between Lighteners vs. Brighteners:
“Lightening” and “brightening” are marketing terms, not guarantees of safety, strength or suitability. Review the ingredients, intended use and warnings on the product label.
Explore the LightenUp collection for cosmetic skincare options.
LightenUp PLUS Active Lightening Cream and New York Fair & Lovely Gel PLUS are product names. Refer to their current labels for ingredients and directions; a name does not establish a product’s formula or medical suitability.
For persistent or changing discoloration, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
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