Should you try skin whitening?

• March 28, 2021

Whether you want to emulate your K-pop icons or you want your face to glow, you’ve probably heard of the skin whitening trend.✨✨

It’s here to stay on the beauty scene. Fighting age spots, uneven skin tone, old scars, suntans, or the darkness in certain areas of the body- it will always be a priority in skin care. 💆🏻

As we’re all curious about it, we asked Dr. Costi to tell us more about this trending subject.

What is skin whitening? 🌸

Whether it’s to remedy dark pigmentation or to even out your skin tone, skin whitening/ lightening/ bleaching is a cosmetic treatment used to brighten the skin.

Years ago, skin whitening was the process of making skin “whiter” to conform to a universal standard of beauty. People went through drastic unsafe measures by using harmful chemicals on their skin to make it whiter in color.

However, in the context of trending Korean beauty products, the term skin lightening means to “even out” the texture and brighten the skin- making it radiant.

How does it work?

Are you noticing hyperpigmentation or imperfections like dull skin, freckles, sun spots, and acne scars? Then you might want to try a skin lightening treatment.

As Dr. Costi explains, skin lightening creams contain ingredients that work to decrease your body’s production of melanin. Melanin is responsible for the pigment in your skin, and is made by cells called melanocytes, and these are treated with bleaching products.

Most skin lightening creams used to contain the harsh chemical hydroquinone, which is known to decrease melanocytes. However, new products are made from Vitamin C, glycolic acid, licorice root or mulberry extract. They gently help to break down the melanin clusters that cause unwanted discoloration, and even-out the skin tone by gently exfoliating the surface skin cells.

Is it safe? ✔️

The wide variety of creams, lotions and serums do not contain a bleaching agent that strips pigmentation from the skin. Most are made with all natural ingredients which means they are safe to use daily and by anyone, no matter your skin color.

However, like any other product used to alter your skin, you should do your research and ask your dermatologist before using it.

“Don’t be afraid of these products which are now a part of any beauty brand’s cosmetic range” says Dr. Costi. Look for the one that suits you, and it might help you achieve that glow you’re dreaming of.

In case of any allergic reaction like dermatitis or irritation, stop using the product immediately and consult your doctor.

So what do you think beauties? Are you going to try skin whitening?

Whatever you do, be natural, be you. You are beautiful. ❤️