Skin Bleaching Products: Everything You Want to Know

As you get older, your skin begins to display age spots and other imperfections. It’s understandable that you want to remove them, nevertheless the way you achieve this is extremely important, as you don't want to damage your skin further by employing harsh chemicals. 

There are many over-the-counter products which claim to lighten skin discolorations, but a lot of these contain hydroquinone. The problem with this ingredient, which is used for its skin bleaching properties, is that it may act as a carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical) and has been prohibited in several countries. In 2006, the FDA banned over-the-counter sales of any cream that contains high concentrations of hydroquinone. There were over 200 different spot lightening products that contained a high concentration of this ingredient, and only those that have under 2% hydroquinone may be sold without a prescription. This chemical has also been linked to ochronosis - a condition which causes the skin to become thicker and darker. Additionally, it can lead to higher levels of mercury in some individuals as well as abnormal adrenal gland function. Although it is not completely banned in America, it is prohibited in the European Union and Australia. 

How can you pick the best spot bleaching treatment when so many have this dangerous ingredient? Well, you have to do your research. That’s where the internet can assist you. 

First, search for all-natural creams. The issue with cosmetic creams is they are made in laboratories. Any chemical applied to the skin is going to have a side effect, so if you can avoid this completely, do so. 100% natural treatments will have no side effects because of the lack of dangerous chemicals. Something with ingredients like Kojic Acid, Emblica Extract, or Alpha-Arbutin is precisely what you're looking for, as these are natural ingredients. 

Secondly, don’t look for magic cures. Any cream which says it can completely fix the discoloration in just a few days is probably not a product to depend on. Since the problem didn’t appear overnight, it won’t vanish that quickly either. Try to find creams that target the main cause of your skin issues and provide long-term solutions. 

If you're ordering a cream, search for something which comes with a guarantee. The cream should ideally have a cash-back guarantee if you aren't happy with it. Try to find a well-reputed company online that has solid reviews (ensure you read a number of them on different websites) and also has customer service you can actually reach. 
Finally, you need a product that is easily affordable. Unless you can afford to spend large sums of money on spot bleaching treatments, you ought to go for one that is trustworthy but affordable in the long run. 

Spending some time researching the skin bleaching product you use could end up not just costing you less in the long term, but also help you avoid terrible side effects .