If you're considering different methods to naturally lighten your skin, chances are you've heard about the lightening properties of lemon juice. Although it contains some essential vitamins, applying it to the skin is not the best (nor the safest) method for reducing dark spots. This article answers some of the most common questions about skin lightening and will help you keep it beautiful and healthy during the procedure.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Is it dangerous to apply undiluted lemon juice to the skin?
Step 1. If you expose yourself to the sun, yes, it is
Lemon zest contains chemicals called "furanocoumarins" and "psoralen". If you stay indoors or in the shade, they don't give your skin any problems. However, if you are exposed to the sun, they can cause redness, irritation, swelling and large blisters. In general, in lemon juice products, these chemicals are filtered out, so lotions or fragrances containing citrus extracts can be used. However, the pure juice is not filtered and it can therefore be dangerous to leave it on the skin, even if it is diluted with water.
Method 2 of 6: Why is the use of lemon juice recommended on so many sites?
Step 1. Because citric acid is a natural lightener
There are a number of citric acid-based skin care products, including those that contain lemon juice. However, filtered juice is used for these cosmetics, so it is not dangerous to apply them on the skin and they do not cause blisters or blisters to form when exposed to the sun. Unfiltered juice can lighten the skin, but it can also cause serious damage, so it's not worth the trouble. It is not possible to filter or dilute the juice at home to make it safe for the skin.
Method 3 of 6: Are skin care products that contain lemon juice safe?
Step 1. Yes, because they are filtered
The lemon juice found in commercial lotions and creams can be safely applied to the skin and is unlikely to cause irritation. Products containing citric acid can help smooth out dark spots and other pigmentation problems, but they don't carry the same risks associated with unfiltered lemon juice.
Most lemon juice products are used to firm the skin and smooth out wrinkles
Method 4 of 6: How to naturally lighten skin?
Step 1. Try a lightening product
Lightening products penetrate the skin to reduce the concentration of melanin which causes dark spots to form. Look for a product containing 2% hydroquinone, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, retinoids, or vitamin C to make sure it's effective. If you're not sure which one to choose, consult a dermatologist for advice.
Step 2. Use sunscreen every day
Sun creams protect the skin from UV rays and prevent dark spots from further accentuating. Get in the habit of applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day to prevent blemishes and wrinkles.
Method 5 of 6: How long does it take to fade dark spots?
Step 1. This can take 6 to 12 months
If you use sunscreen and a lightening cream approved by your dermatologist, calculate that you will start seeing the first results within a year or so. However, if the spots are quite pigmented, you may need to be patient for a couple of years.
Each skin has its own peculiarities and needs, so yours may take more or less time to return to an even complexion. If you have specific questions, make an appointment with a dermatologist
Method 6 of 6: Are lightening products dangerous?
Step 1. If they contain mercury, yes
Many lightening products are unregulated and some even contain mercury. This substance can cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system, not to mention that mercury poisoning can even be transmitted to other people through skin contact. If the product has calomel, cinnabaris, Hydrargyri oxydum rubrum or other chemical compounds containing mercury, then you should immediately stop using it.
