Make Your Skin Lighter

Lots of people want to lighten their skin for a variety of reasons, from concealing a bad tan to personal esthetics. While it is not possible to drastically change your skin tone, it is possible to lighten it a few shades through natural or chemical means. This article will give you lots of tips and advice on how to make your skin lighter, including fading unwanted freckles, sun spots, and blemishes.

Steps

Using Unverified Home Remedies

• Warning: Lemon and other citrus juices can result in irritation or burning, and should be used only with care. Do not apply lemon juice to your face and go out in the sun. Wash any juice off promptly, and before you go outside.

1. Try fresh lemon juice. Cut a lemon in half, using only one half and saving the other. Be sure to put the unused half in a cool area, such as the refrigerator. Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl. Poke small but deep holes in the lemon half with a knife.This will make it easier to squeeze the juice from it.
   • Use a cotton ball to soak up the lemon juice, rub the lemon juice onto the area you wish to lighten. This could be your face, neck, or anywhere else you wish to lighten. Avoid getting the lemon juice in your eyes.
   • Leave for about 15 - 20 minutes before washing it off. Use warm water to rinse, and always apply moisturizer after the lemon juice mixture.
   • Repeat this 2 - 3 times per week. Applying more than once per day is not recommended.
   • If you feel that the lemon juice is too harsh on your skin, try diluting it to half strength with water before applying.
2. Make a lemon mask. A mask will let the acidic part of the lemon slowly seep into pores and gradually change the complexion of the skin.
   • For a skin-lightening mask, mix together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} lemon juice, 1 tablespoon tomato juice, 1 tablespoon cucumber juice, and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} sandalwood paste into a paste. Apply to skin and let sit 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and moisturize.
   • For a skin-lightening mask for dry skin, mix together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} powdered milk, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 2 drops of essential oil. Apply to skin and let sit for 20-25 minutes. Rinse with warm water and moisturize.
   • Masks, exfoliants and peels should be used sparingly, once or twice a week. Too much contact with skin-drying agents can cause excessive dryness or irritation.
3. Use a lemon exfoliator. An exfoliant will help lighten skin by using the natural lightening components of citric acid, as well as by sloughing off the top layer of dead skin cells, or epidermis.
   • For a lemon exfoliant, mix together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} brown sugar, 1 egg white, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
   • Massage exfoliant into skin using gentle circular motions. Gently scrub or let rest for 10-15 minutes, rinse with warm water, and moisturize.
4. Try coconut water. Coconut water is said to lighten the skin, while also leaving it soft and supple. Try dipping a cotton ball in the coconut water, then wipe the liquid over your face, or any other area you wish to lighten. No need to rinse off.
   • You can also try drinking coconut water to hydrate skin from the inside out. Coconut water is a great source of essential minerals and is also low in calories.
5. Use aloe vera. The sap of the aloe vera plant is a very soothing natural substance, which helps to heal burns and other skin wounds. It is also very moisturizing and encourages skin rejuvenation - which can help to fade any dark patches and lighten skin.
   • Break off the leaf of an aloe vera plant (available in plant nurseries) and rub the gel-like sap all over the area you wish to lighten.
   • Aloe vera is good for your skin, so you can use it as often as you like with no fear of side effects.
6. Try raw potato. The juice from a raw potato is said to have mild bleaching properties which naturally lighten skin, due to the high quantities of vitamin C it contains (vitamin C is found in many skin lightening products).
   • All you need to do is cut a raw potato in half and rub the exposed flesh on the skin that you wish to lighten. You will need to repeat this frequently in order to see any significant results.
   • Other fruit and veg which are said to produce the same results are cucumbers and tomatoes, which also contain high levels of vitamin C.
7. Use turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that's popular in Indian cooking. It has been found that turmeric inhibits melanin production (the pigment responsible for darkening skin) and can help suntanned skin go back to its original color.
   • To use, make a mask containing half a teaspoon of turmeric, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and two teaspoons of cucumber juice and spread it on the area you wish to lighten.
   • Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off. The turmeric may stain your skin slightly yellow, but don't worry, it will soon fade away.
   • You can also take turmeric internally by using it in your cooking. Try this Indian curry.

Practicing Good Skin Care

1. Quit smoking. Smoking can cause your skin to become more sallow (in addition to causing wrinkles) so if you want to be kind to your skin, the first thing to do is quit smoking.
2. Wear sunscreen everyday. The sun can cause all sorts of damage to the skin - from sun spots to burns to skin cancer. This is why it's imperative that you wear sunscreen everyday to protect your skin and keep it healthy. Even if it's cloudy, the sun's UV rays can still break through, so you need to wear sunscreen in winter too.
3. Drink lots of water. Keeping your skin hydrated - while it won't lighten skin in and of itself - will help your skin to stay healthy. Healthy skin rejuvenates itself, shedding old layers and forming new. This allows old, pigmented layers to fade away and reveal fresh, new ones underneath. Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses a day for best results.
4. Cleanse your skin regularly. Taking care of your skin involves implementing a strict skincare regimen which keeps skin in tip-top conditions.
   • You should cleanse your face twice a day with a foaming cleanser or soap and use a good moisturizer. You also should exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells.
   • Always use gentle skincare products formulated for your skin type. If you use products unsuitable for your skin it may cause redness - which is the last thing you want.
   • Always take your make-up off before bed. Otherwise, the oils could clog your pores, leading to uneven skin tone or even breakouts.
   • For the skin on the body, organic Papaya soap is said to help naturally lighten skin tone. However, it can be quite drying, so be sure to moisturize afterwards.
5. Follow a healthy diet. A diet rich in vitamins and nutrients will also help your skin to stay healthy and look it's best. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables - especially those high in vitamins A, C and E which nourish the skin and help it to stay hydrated.

Using Skin Lightening Products and Treatments

1. Try a skin lightening cream. Get your hands on an over-the-counter cream containing kojic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C or arbutin (also known as bearberry extract), all of which are effective skin lightening ingredients.
   • Alternatively, get a dermatologist to prescribe a stronger skin lightening cream containing retinoids (acidic form of vitamin A) or an ingredient called hydroquinone.
   • All of these skin lightening products work by reducing melanin, a colored pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes.
2. Be aware of the risks associated with skin lightening creams. Skin lightening creams do not come without risks. Much of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream, and some cream manufactured in Asia but sold in America contain mercury, which can lead to mercury poisoning. In addition:
   • Prolonged use of skin lightening products can lead to premature aging of skin because of increased sensitivity to UVA/UVB rays.
   • Use of skin lightening products can lead to various forms of skin cancer also due to the reason above.
   • Steroids in some skin lightening products can increase the chance of infection and increase the likelihood of acne.
   • Hydroquinone may cause permanent skin discoloration and known if taken by mouth is known to cause cancer.
   • Many natural bleaching agents, can lead to allergy or irritation.
3. Try chemical peels or microdermabrasion. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments are sometimes recommended by dermatologists to achieve skin lightening. Both of these treatments work to peel or exfoliate away the outer, darker pigmented skin, revealing the fresher, lighter colored skin underneath. These treatments can also help with acne scars, brown spots and other pigmentation problems.
   • A chemical peel involves having a concentrated acidic solution, such as alpha-hydoxy acid, applied to the skin by a dermatologist. The acid will burn away the outer, pigmented layers of skin, leaving lighter skin behind.
   • Microdermabrasion achieves the same results, but uses a different method. With microdermabrasion, a rotating wire brush is used to slough off the top layers of pigmented skin.
   • Both of these treatments can be a little painful, and the skin on your face may be red and inflamed for several days afterwards. However, they can also be very effective. Discuss with your dermatologist to see if he/she thinks these treatments are a good option for you.
4. Put your health and safety first. There are several health-related concerns associated with skin lightening products, so pay attention to the following guidelines for safer use::
   • Talk to your doctor before starting any skin lightening regimen. Your doctor with guide you through the process and help you avoid any avoidable pitfalls.
   • Stay away from any and all products that have mercury as an ingredient. Be especially vigilant about products manufactured in Asia. Mercury can sometimes be listed in the ingredients section as "calomel," "mercuric," "mercurous," or "mercurio."

Tips

• Stay out of the sun as much as you can.
• Sunblock is a must in maintaining fair skin. Use it everyday even if it isn't a sunny day; UV rays still get through.
• Be proud of who you are, no matter what anyone says!
• Invest in skin lightening products.
• Take Glutathione capsules for 2 weeks. And see the results.
• Try to stay out of the sun, as even the slightest amount of sun can darken your skin.
• Always a jacket and long pants if you are going outside.
• To keep skin smooth and clean take a shower everyday.

Warnings

• Lemon juice is very acidic and can make your skin tremendously sensitive. If lemon juice irritates your skin, try to apply it every other day as opposed to every day, and if it still irritates you, then do not use it.
• Check the ingredients on everything before you use it!

Sources and Citations

• http://blog.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/2012/05/09/can-lemon-juice-really-help-lighten-your-skin-2/

See also

• Determine Fitzpatrick Skin Type
• Get Rosy White Skin
• Use a Lemon to Lighten Your Skin
• Lighten Your Skin
• Get Fair Skin Naturally
• Close Large Pores
• Make Your Skin Glow in Minutes
• Get Rid of the Dark Area Around the Mouth
• Determine Skin Tone
• Get Beautiful, Glowing Skin

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