These days, dermatologists are inundated with similar inquiries. Rising pollution, a hectic lifestyle, an imbalanced diet, and a variety of other factors have an obvious negative and unfavorable impact on our skin.

Skin whitening therapy is the simplest and most reliable solution out of this situation!

What is skin lightening treatment?

Skin lightening treatment refers to the technique of lightening the skin by employing substances and mixes and/or physical therapies under the medical supervision of an experienced doctor. This treatment works by lowering the amount of melanin in the skin, which is essential for maintaining our skin tone throughout the body. Skin lightening treatments depigment specific regions of excessive pigmentation to match the surrounding skin, leaving behind much smoother and more beautiful skin. Unaffected skin may also be brightened to give a more consistent appearance. Along with enhancing skin tone, skin whitening treatments have been shown to lessen a variety of other skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage, dark spots, and so on.

Why go for skin lightening treatment?

While the reasons for seeking this treatment vary from person to person, a few common ones are:

Improve your appearance. Skin lightening treatment has shown to be an excellent remedy for those who are unhappy with their complexion. This treatment gradually lightens the skin tone and removes blemishes and dark spots, leaving the skin supple and youthful.

Taking care of skin disorders. Many skin-related issues, such as hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, uneven skin tone, and so on, can be treated with skin-lightening therapies.

Psychological advantages. Skin disorders are frequently associated with low self-esteem and inhibitions. Their personality improves as their skin becomes fairer and more attractive.

Anti-aging properties. Many skin lightening treatments contain ingredients such as vitamin C, alpha hydroxyl acids, and others that help the skin look younger and more nourished by stimulating the formation of new collagen, which repairs damaged skin.

Many times, people seek treatment without fully understanding the procedure. While skin whitening treatments have been shown to be effective, never hurry into using one. Choose a reputable clinic with knowledgeable doctors who will explain you everything about skin lightening treatments, including the advantages and disadvantages.

Different types of skin in India

Most people believe that the vast majority of Indians have wheatish skin. However, this is not the case. India is a varied country with people of various skin colours.
Indian skin colour varies to extremes on both sides of the fairness scale. In other words, there are exceptionally dark people and extremely fair people.
The Indian skin is classified as type III-VI on the Fitzpatrick scale. It is thought to be thicker than other regions’ people, less prone to sunburn, but more prone to tanning.

Let us now understand everything about skin lightening treatment, the best solution for skin tanning and pigmentation issues.

Achieve a lighter skin complexion

Lighten your skin’s darker spots (pigmentation). Only the dark regions of the skin are lightened to match the actual skin colour in the latter. This will guarantee that your skin is even and smooth.

The amount of melanin produced in the skin mostly determines your skin colour. The darker your skin colour, the more melanin you have. Pollution, sunlight, hormones, chemicals, and heredity are all factors that influence the quantity of melanin produced in the skin.

The skin lightening therapy regulates melanin production, making your skin lighter and smoother.

Types of skin lightening treatments in India

There are different types of skin-lightening treatments in India. Your dermatologist would choose the best treatment for you based on your skin type and the expected results. Here are the different types –

1. Glutathione Injections

Glutathione is a skin-lightening substance that indirectly lowers melanin levels in the body. It works by suppressing the formation of an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is involved in the production of melanin.
Aside from that, glutathione is an antioxidant that aids in detoxification and protects the body from the damaging effects of UV rays.

2. Chemical Peel

As you might expect, this skin-lightening therapy works by removing a layer of your skin. The dermatologist applies a chemical to the problematic area, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which removes melanin deposit and helps to achieve even-colored skin.

Peels are classified into three types: light, medium, and deep, based on how deeply the chemical penetrates your skin. The type of peel will be determined by the severity of your pigmentation condition.

3. Laser Treatment

In this procedure, the dermatologist will use  laser heat to harm the cells that create melanin or to remove the pigmented outermost layer of the skin. This  Laser treatment is ideal for removing blemishes or dark areas from your skin.

Although it is more successful than other treatments, it does not react the same way to all skin types. As a result, the dermatologist will normally perform a battery of tests to determine whether or not the treatment is appropriate for your skin type.

4. Vampire Facial

This therapy is the newest craze, and it’s all over the internet. The Vampire Facial is a combination of platelet-rich plasma therapy and microneedling. Micro needles are utilised to first penetrate the upper layer of the skin, causing cell damage.

Skin lightening treatment side effects

Here are some side effects you might face in skin lightening treatment, especially when not performed by a licensed dermatologist –

• Swelling
• Redness
• Itchy skin
• Stinging or burning sensation
• Skin turning too light or dark
• Visible blood vessels in the skin
• Scarring
• Thinning of skin
• In some rare cases, kidney, nerve, or liver damage.

What to do before coming for the treatment?

Here are the different things you will be asked to do before coming for the skin-lightening treatment –

• List out all your medications and allergies to your doctor. You might have to stop a few medications for the treatment.
• Apply certain topical creams to prepare your skin for the treatment.
• Stop the consumption of alcohol and smoking for at least a week before the treatment.
• Clean your face and apply no makeup while coming for the treatment.

Aftercare tips for skin-lightening treatment

To maintain and achieve the expected results, you must take good care of your skin by following the below tips –

• If your skin feels itchy, use a cold compress to help with the same.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight for at least 24 hours.
• Do not massage the treated area.
• Do not touch or pick any scabs as it could lead to a permanent scar.
• Keep your skin hydrated and healthy by drinking a lot of water
• Use soaps that have salicylic or glycolic acid to wash the treated area
• Consume a healthy diet with fibers and fruits to aid in the healing process

Conclusion

Skin lightening treatment is one of the best solutions if you’re looking to lighten your skin tone or wish to achieve a smooth and even skin tone. All the types of skin lightening treatments covered in this post are minimally invasive or non-invasive, making them extremely safe.
But as pointed out earlier, if you want to avoid side effects or achieve 100% results, it is important to select an experienced dermatologist to perform the treatment. Dr. Sanyogita has more than 10 years of experience in performing skin-lightening treatments and has helped lighten the skin tone of numerous patients in the past.