22 Jul Looking Into Brighter Fairer skin
Some people just need to look Brighter and fairer and will try anything!
There are many ways to get that great glow and a brighter radiant looking complexion these days.
Some popular ways have been Skin Bleaching Agents
So lets understand these guys.
One agent that has been around a very long time is Hydroquinone.
Its has been given its name by a French Scientist in 1943 and is a chemical compound that is a derivative of Phenol and it’s a weak acid. That means it hardens the skin cells too.
Sound like potent stuff and it is; so be careful. Too much can cause onychrosis; grey darkening of the skin. This luckily is very rare and not usually seen in Australia ( due lower concentrations used here of this drug).
Hydroquinone is the most powerful lightening agent we have, so it’s a careful balance to lighten skin without causing side effects.
Hydroquinone went through many testings in its journey and there was a time when the FDA banned all topical forms as well because it was thought it could have potential carcinogenic effects.
It has been used to reduce pigmentation and promote skin lightening. It does cause some skin sensitivity but due to FDA and National toxic reports people have developed an awareness and aversion to it.
However in the USA and Australia many doctors still do use very low percentages, like 2% and 4% to help arrest some of their clients pigmentation and get it under control.
These days there are many other treatments to achieve glowing radiant skin and to reduce or eliminate hyperpigmented skin.
These newbies are the Nd:YAG Q-switched lasers, which break up the pigment in the skin allowing the macrophage cells in the skin to gobble it up like pac man. This laser fires a beam of energy at a rate of one-billionth of a second. It’s this speed that causes the shattering of pigment in the skin ( similar to treating tattoos). This is a very specific process, as the laser searches for pigment (eg. Melanin), a process called selective photothermolysis.
Removing pigment from the skin can be simple but also can be challenging. There can be multiple factors at play here, like the depth of the pigment, hormonal factors, sun protection, medical conditions to name a few.
Pigment treatment works better when all factors are viewed and the practitioner develops a bespoke program. It’s important that when breaking pigment care is also taken not to stimulate new pigment.
So whilst Hydroquinone has its uses and still continues to be used it is only part of a skincare brightening plan.
In Indian and Asian countries there are many varieties of hydroquinone that can be purchased. Most of these are sold over the counter and promise the dream of fairness and brightness. But these promises are short lived.
The moment one stops the product application, the problem comes back, as its only a bleaching agent. It does not stop the melanocyte activity, but rather just disguises it.
Hydroquinone has its uses and in the hands of trained doctors and clinical practitioners. It can make a great tool when it works as part of a pigment solution plan.
These days other ingredients are also being used like azelaic acid, kojic acid , arbutin, paper mulberry, liquorice, glycolic acid, retinoids and some steroids.
We have products that are custom made that contain hydroquinone and we have lasers, peels and other brightening agents that can put your skin on its road to glow and shine. The glow comes from a healthy epidermis reflecting light, and this is the path that works.
Your visit will be welcome. Do call and chat.