| In a word, yes. Let's examine the evidence from | | | | Similarly, ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C, |
| research at a major universities, and studies | | | | exhibits a skin lightening capacity. Ascorbic acid |
| published in distinguished medical journals. | | | | noticeably lightened age spots and skin |
| What the doctors found. | | | | discolorations on the skin of patients with medium |
| Effective skin bleaching creams work by | | | | to dark skin tones after three months of |
| impacting the pigment melanin. | | | | treatment, according to a study reported in the |
| The doctors pointed out kojic acid works to | | | | International Journal of Cosmetic Science. |
| inhibit new melanin in skin cells. | | | | Comparing Medical Procedures with Skin Bleaching |
| They point out that for years the Japanese | | | | Creams is a Toss Up. |
| diet has included kojic acid for general health | | | | Canadian researchers reviewed the common |
| benefits. | | | | techniques for skin bleaching. This included not only |
| The doctors consider Arbuton an alternative | | | | skin bleaching products, but also lasers, and skin |
| medicine that inhibits melanin activity. | | | | peels. They concluded there is currently no |
| Vitamins C and B3 can be effective. | | | | evidence medical techniques are superior to topical |
| Excessive melanin, drawn to the skin surface, | | | | skin lightening. |
| explains everything from age spots and freckles | | | | A Note About Glutathione. |
| to birth marks and irregular dark patches called | | | | An antioxidant, glutathione, has surfaced as a skin |
| hyperpigmentation. The doctors took a look at | | | | lightener. A report in the International Journal of |
| what they called "depigmenting agents". These | | | | Cosmetic Science noted the effectiveness of |
| substances encourage melanin to disintegrate, and | | | | glutathione, but cautioned the amount of |
| inhibit new formation. Researchers examined | | | | glutathione needed in topical products is not yet |
| over-the-counter skin bleaching creams, which act | | | | standardized. Translation: they don't know how |
| as depigmenting agents, as well as | | | | much is too much. |
| prescription-strength skin bleaching products. | | | | What kind of skin problems respond to skin |
| Chemical skin bleaching products were the first | | | | bleaching creams? |
| generation, and the doctors note ingredients have | | | | 1. Age and liver spots |
| been found to cause problems. | | | | 2. Freckles |
| Mercury worked, but health risks of repeated | | | | 3. Underarm skin |
| exposure to mercury came to light. | | | | 4. Private parts colorations |
| Products containing steroids fell from favor. | | | | 5. Birth marks |
| One common ingredient, hydroquinone caused | | | | 6. Moles |
| a raft of serious side affects. It was then linked | | | | 7. Sunspots |
| to cancer. You will still find hydroquinone in some | | | | 8. Melasma-patches of irregular over-pigmented |
| skin bleaching products, including | | | | skin |
| prescription-strength skin bleaching creams. | | | | You don't have to have a skin problem to use a |
| Non-chemical skin bleaching creams came along, | | | | skin bleaching cream. Someone may decide to use |
| utilizing natural ingredients. | | | | a skin bleaching product for overall cosmetic |
| Natural acid shakes up the pigmented cells that | | | | effect. Lighter, smoother skin is considered by |
| darken skin. Skin lightens over time. | | | | many cultures to be the beauty ideal. Movie stars |
| As was cited previously, scientists find kojic | | | | who use skin lighteners inspire their fans to try |
| acid is a trustworthy skin lightener. | | | | skin lightening creams. Skin lightening products, |
| One home remedy used citric acid from | | | | used over time, can really work. |
| lemons. | | | | |