While many go to great lengths to have darker skin, others prefer to lighten it to hide scars, minimize blemishes, decrease excessive tan or simply to have a fair complexion. For fair skin, try these techniques.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: In your Fridge
Step 1. Apply lemon juice
Lemon juice is often used to lighten hair and can even be added in the washing machine as an alternative to bleach. You can only put lemon juice on a few darker spots, but be careful because citric acid is very strong and could irritate the skin. If you want to use it regularly on larger areas, dilute it or mix it with honey or yogurt.
- You could mix lemon juice with water in a spray bottle, rub the peel on your skin, make masks or lotions. One is as good as the other, since there is no guarantee that one method will act faster than the other. Try to be patient as lightening your skin with lemon juice takes a long time.
- Do not use lemon on areas that you have recently waxed, shaved or that have cuts.
Step 2. Apply plain yogurt
In addition to having a slight lightening effect, yogurt contains lactic acid which hydrates, zinc which fights sunburn and lactic ferments which attack fungi and bacteria.
Compared to other exfoliating products, yogurt cannot hold its own. It contains only 0.9% free acids and its level of Alpha Hydroxide Acids is far lower than many other usable products. It won't hurt you, but it may not lead you to the desired result, or at the very least, definitely not quickly
Step 3. Apply baking soda
Baking soda is commonly used for various house cleanings or to whiten teeth, but it can also lighten the skin. Even if it is delicate, be careful not to put too much on it, or you will dry out your skin; to create something more suitable, add honey to the baking soda, apply the mixture and let it sit for at least ten minutes.
Baking soda is used to exfoliate. While it doesn't have skin-lightening properties, it can remove damaged, sun-darkened cells
Method 2 of 3: Exfoliating Creams and Talc
Step 1. Wash and exfoliate your skin
This helps remove the topmost layer of skin that has darkened and / or damaged in the sun. Don't exfoliate too much though, or you could alter its natural oil production and make it greasy.
An effective and inexpensive homemade exfoliant is brown sugar mixed with honey. Honey alone can make the skin extremely soft; combined with brown sugar it becomes a very good scrub. Plus, honey is an antibacterial agent that can help prevent breakouts
Step 2. Put on some translucent powder
By reflecting the light, the powder will not only make your skin look brighter, it will also minimize blemishes.
Baby powder can have the same effect. It is light enough to fill pores like a powder foundation, but strong (and white) enough to discreetly change the color of your skin. Just make sure you don't wear too much or you'll end up looking like an 18th century geisha
Step 3. If none of this works, use a bleaching cream
However, be aware that hydroquinone (the active ingredient found in many lightening creams) has been banned in many countries, as studies have revealed that it may be carcinogenic.
Recently, bearberry (Arbutin) and kojic acid have appeared in skin lightening treatments. However, bearberry has recently been linked to hydroquinone and judged unsafe, while kojic acid has passed scrutiny. In cosmetic products, use at levels of 2% (not higher) is safe. Note: In laboratory tests, skin lightening was noted at 4%
Method 3 of 3: For your Body
Step 1. Don't stand in the sun
If you want to exercise, join the gym, or do it on the street at sunrise or sunset. Wear a hat if necessary and don't forget to apply sunscreen every day, even if it's cloudy. Up to 80% of the sun's rays can pass through clouds.
Don't forget the lips. Spread on it generously with lip balm that has a built-in sunscreen of at least 15 in addition to your daily moisturizer
Step 2. Try to maintain healthy habits for your skin
A healthy bright color is an important factor for every skin tone. While you are committed to "lightening", sticking to a routine will allow your skin to become radiant.
- Not smoking. It causes your skin to turn a yellowish, dull color that can show itself even at a young age. Habit can also increase the likelihood that spots will develop, usually reserved for older people.
- Follow a healthy and nutritious diet. In particular, take a lot of Vitamin C. It is the key to the production of collagen, a protein that helps the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives the skin its tone and strength.
Step 3. Consult a dermatologist
The professional advice of a medical specialist will be able to guide you through all the options to be addressed if you are absolutely sure that you want to alter the color of your skin. There are both over-the-counter and prescription medications that may be able to help you in the process safely and effectively.
Plus, a doctor can dispel all those skin care myths and provide a level of information that you will never find on any website. Consult your doctor before making any important decisions
Advice
- Use natural remedies first as the effects of lightening creams are usually reversible.
- Be reasonable. If your complexion is naturally dark, you should be happy with that. Many people would do anything to get tanned skin.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be found in many skin lightening creams, so when every other attempt fails, at your own risk, you can try mixing a small amount into a face mask. However, be very careful, hydrogen peroxide can give rise to several side effects.
Warnings
- Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on the skin. Although it will work temporarily, it is an oxidizing agent (i.e. practically the opposite of the antioxidants that are so useful in keeping our skin young) and can have a corrosive effect. For this same reason, hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for treating wounds.
- Excessive use of any product can dehydrate your skin, causing irritation and cracking.
