The desire to enhance the appearance and glow of skin is made possible to a certain extent by the use of a skin lightening cream, which also helps skin retain its firmness and reduce aging signs. Basically, all a skin lightening cream does is fade the skin tone and in addition takes care of dark spots. Additionally, a skin lightening cream is also used in the treatment of age spots, skin discoloration, freckles and other similar skin disorders.
The general term for skin lightening cream is skin bleach which predominantly has high concentrations of hydroquinone which is an effective bleaching agent for melanin but the maximum concentration of hydroquinone permitted by FDA for over the counter skin lightening cream is 2% and for prescription cream it is upto 4%. The skin lightening cream gently fades the unsightly and bright age spots when the concentration of hydroquinone is within the permitted limits. However if it irritates or skin feels inflammation, it indicates highly concentrated skin lightening cream; discontinue using it until you consult with a doctor.
Skin lightening cream products made with other active ingredients is also available for those who can’t use hydroquinone. These products contain kojic acid, lactic acid and hydroxyl acids, however the most significant of all the non hydroquinone based skin lightening creams is the one that uses Tritinoin. Tritinoin is a Vitamin which revitalizes skin condition by supplementing its deficiency.
You are advised to wait for some time, say 15 minutes, after applying a skin lightening cream of your choice, for it to set-in before applying the concealer.
Beware of many a spurious skin lightening cream that is being pushed as wonders of modern day science to the gullible people that are bent upon bleaching their skin complexion. These creams contain horribly dangerous percentages of hydroquinone. The most unfortunate thing is this high percentage is being touted as absolutely necessary in a skin lightening cream if it is going to really work.
Cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies, in the quest for capturing the market resort to using steroids like hydrocortisone, triamcilinone and unfluorinated triamcilinone in a concentration not less than 0 by percentage points. As of now, it is difficult to tell whether the long term effects of using these steroid based skin lightening creams is harmful or not. Unfortunately, the urge to use a skin lightening cream is so overwhelming that before regulators could move, the market will be flooded with untested and spurious products.
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