Do Skin Whitening Creams/Soaps really work?

The obsession for fair skin has long been evident in the Indian society. People try various home remedies and over-the-counter medications for whitening the skin. While idealizing a skin colour is not the right thing to do, it is important to keep your natural skin tone at its best. There are plenty of creams, serums, injections and treatments available today. It is important to gain the right understanding and choose the best products for your skin concerns.

Skin Whitening Treatment

Melanin in the body is what gives colour to skin. People with lighter skin tone have lesser melanin while dark skinned individuals have higher levels of melanin. The melanin content of the body is reduced to make the skin appear a tone lighter, this is the principle of skin whitening treatments. There are various techniques used to achieve this. Some of them are topical creams, injections, serums, laser treatments and more. Individuals who are seeking skin whitening products or treatments must have a thorough consultation with a dermatologist.

Let’s take a look at the various techniques to achieve skin whitening.

Skin whitening cream 

Topical skin whitening products such as creams and face wash helps with treating the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin. The results of these products would not be long term but they help in giving a refreshed and rejuvenated outer skin. Skin whitening soaps are another topical treatment for improving the complexion of the skin. Regular use of these products claim to give a flawless and bright outer skin over a period of time. To choose the best skin whitening cream for you, it is important to consult a dermatologist. Based on the patient’s need and the type of his/her skin, the doctor would prescribe medicines that would work well. Skin whitening cream for men are also easily available as over-the-counter products.

Skin whitening supplements 

There are many supplements such as glutathione that is found in fruits and vegetables. Food rich in vitamin C and E also help with skin lightening and removal of dark spots. Oral supplements for skin whitening is also available for improving one’s skin. Most skin whitening supplements inhibit the production of melanin and helps with collagen production. This keeps the skin youthful and glowing.

Skin whitening injections 

Injections such as glutathione help in reducing the production of melanin. The treatment might take over 3 months. Oral medications of the same can be used to maintain the results.  

Skin whitening procedures 

Various cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, retinol, laser treatments are now available to get a brighter and glowing skin.

Skin whitening tips and home remedies

To maintain a natural skin tone without any dark spots or blemishes, one must invest in appropriate self-care techniques. Some of the most common home remedies to maintain a glowing skin are

• Regular scrubbing using natural products such as gram flour, oatmeal, orange peels, sugar and others. Use of aloevera, almond oil, multani mitti, turmeric, calamine lotion, apple cider vinegar, glycerin, tea tree oil and others on a regular basis can help improve the skin.
• Regular massage using olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil can improve the circulation of blood which in turn keeps the skin healthy
• Adequate amount of water intake and regular exercise can help in overall health of the skin
• Steaming the face helps prevent the breakout of acne and improves the texture and moisture of the skin
• Regular meditation and yoga can help with skin whitening. By leading a stress free and active lifestyle, individuals can improve their sleep and oxygen supply which will in turn help the skin stay healthy.

Skin whitening treatment cost in India

In India, skin whitening treatments can rage from INR 1800 to INR 50000 and above based on the type of treatment chosen. Topical medications such as skin whitening creams and low cost procedures such as chemical peels could cost between INR 1500 to INR 9000. Skin whitening injections could cost between INR 5000 to INR 40k. Other procedures such as laser treatment would cost between INR 5000 to INR 50k. Store bought skin lightening creams and products can range between INR 200 to 2000. There are many factors that determine the exact cost of a skin whitening treatment. Some of these are

• The person’s skin colour and the extent of brightness needed
• The hospital, city and the doctor charges
• Experience level of the doctor
• The dosage of injections or the extent of laser treatment needed depending on the desired results of the patients

It is extremely important to undergo skin whitening procedures from a board certified doctor who specializes in aesthetic treatments.

It is important to understand that it is nearly impossible to change one’s colour from dark to fair. The texture, tone and brightness of the skin can be enhanced by reducing pigments, spots, wrinkles and blemishes. These can be achieved with skin whitening products and treatments. Individuals who have allergies to certain medications or conditions such as skin dermatitis must avoid skin whitening procedures. All pre-existing medical illnesses must be disclosed to the doctor before choosing a skin whitening product or procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take for skin whitening cream to work?

Skin whitening creams take about 4 to 6 weeks to show results. Depending on the individual’s skin type, the duration taken for results would vary. Usually sensitive skin would start showing results in 3 weeks’ time. Normal and combination skin would take 4-8 weeks for the results to become evident.

2. Which skin whitening product really works?

There are various products sold in the market claiming to be products that help skin whitening. One must do a good research or consult with a dermatologist to choose the right products. Certain chemicals such as mercury, alpha hydroxyl acid, hydroquinone, corticosteroids and others could cause side effects at a later point in time.

3. What is the best skin whitening cream?

Skin whitening cream that would suit you can be decided by a dermatologist by taking into consideration various factors such as the type of skin, nature of pigmentation and others. Various creams from brands such as WOW, Himalaya Herbals, The Derma Co, Olay, L’Oreal, Pond’s and others help with skin whitening.

4. Does skin whitening cream actually work?

Skin whitening creams available as over-the-counter products do make claims of significantly improving the skin tone. However, these claims must be viewed as a marketing technique over the actual benefits that one could attain. The results of store bought skin whitening creams are questionable and the best way would be to consult the dermatologist.

5. Can dark skin become fair?

It is impossible to change the skin colour from dark to fair. What skin whitening or lightening creams could do is reduce the pigments and spots. This in turn would make the person’s skin brighter and glowing. Medically, it is impossible change a person’s skin colour and any claims of it is false.

6. How can I whiten my skin in 3 days?

A person could lighten the skin by getting rid of pigments and tan. This can be achieved by using scrubs, creams and more. Plenty of rest, good intake of water, regular exercise and nutritious food, along with appropriate skin care can help in improving the skin.

7. What skin tone is fair?

Skin tone vary from a porcelain white to a dark brown. How fair a person’s skin is can be determined by how easily they get burned under the sun.

8. How can I get fairer skin permanently?

A lot about your skin tone and colour has to do with the melanin content in your body. It may be impossible to change one’s natural colour. However, with appropriate care and staying away from overexposure to the sun, a person would be able to maintain their natural skin tone and keep it moisturized and supple.

9. Is there any permanent skin whitening treatment?

Permanent skin whitening is quite an impossibility. Most skin whitening treatments offer temporary results of upto 6 months or so. However, there can be significant improvement in skin brightness and youthfulness with skin whitening treatments.

10. What is full body whitening treatment?

Full body whitening treatments aim to reduce the production of melanin in the body. Chemical peels, laser treatments and skin whitening injections helps in achieving this.

11. Which food is best for skin whitening?

Foods rich in vitamin C such as lemon, berries, pepper, potatoes and others help improve the brightness of the skin. Other food items rich in antioxidants, water content and vitamins help improve the overall skin of the person.

12. Which skin Colour is healthy?

Skin colour is due to the melanin content in the body. Although skin colour is not a determinant of a person’s health, darker skin has a few advantages. Darker skin colour protect the individual from the harmful UV rays and helps prevent skin cancer and related diseases.

13. Can lack of sleep cause yellow skin?

Lack of sleep can cause skin to be pale and yellow. Good sleep is an important factor to keep the body refreshed and oxygenated. Lack of sleep can cause the skin to be deprived of oxygen, making it appear yellow.

14. Is yellow skin normal? What Vitamin turns your skin yellow?

Yes, yellow skin can be normal. However, the reasons for yellowish skin must be identified to rule out any underlying health issue such as jaundice. Excessive Vitamin A or beta carotene can make the skin appear yellow.

15. Can milk whiten skin?

The lactic acid in milk can help whiten the skin. It also soothes the skin from burning sensation and dryness.