[sassyT]

Hey everyone i came across this article and i thought i would share it with everone.

Here are four vital factors to lighten skin effectively:

1. A good skin lightening product should be safe and potent.
Ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury and steroids are harmful substances, and banned for use in Europe and Asia. Studies showed that hydroquinone is carcinogenic and can cause skin cancer. Although some contain an approved 2% content, cautious people choose not to buy. Mercury, on the other hand, poisons the bloodstream, while steroids cause skin thinning and produces stretch marks. The safer ingredients are natural plant extracts known to deliver good skin lightening results, such as kojic acid (from mushroom), licorice (plant extract), and papain (papaya fruit). Potency is another issue because most commercial products show little or no results, ineffective or just a waste of money

2. Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, because not all sunscreens block both rays.
The UVA rays are responsible for skin cancer, aging and tanning of our skin. The UVB rays burn out skin. Good ingredients are Parsol1789 (at least 3%), Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide or Mexoryl-Sx. The higher the SPF, the better. Wearing sunscreen is a must, whether you're using skin lightening products or not. Avoid overexposure to the sun particularly between 10am-3pm. Remember, sunscreen does not block all UVA or UVB rays. Even in the shade, the sun's rays can penetrate, so it's best to protect your skin physically through hats/sunglasses and long sleeved shirts for extended sun exposure.


3. Take 500mg Vitamin C supplement daily.
A daily dose of at least 500mg ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant helps promote healthy skin and inhibits the production of melanin. Others take it with whitening pills, but will take months to see results. Your best bet is an intake of this supplement plus the use of good skin lightening products.

4. Use your favorite moisturizers with skin lighteners. Exfoliated skin that is resurfaced as a result of the skin lightening
Procedure needs hydration to give a rosy, whiter effect. Simply use your moisturizers 5-10 minutes after the application of the skin lightening products.

Another alternative to treat dark skin spots is laser treatment but the price tag can cost over a thousand dollars. And expensive skin products don't necessarily imply more effective than the more economical ones. There are safer, cheaper and better ways to do it as described above.

[sassyT]

I found this web site that has helpful info about lightening.
Make sure to read the section about sunscrean because that is the fist line of defense against skin discoloration and aging!

A Skin Whitening Product Guide

[gneiss]

Thanks SassyT

Great info.