Creams for bleaching the skin

If the application of bleaching household remedies does not bring the desired effect, creams are often an effective alternative. Their effect is usually based on substances that in various ways interrupt the production of melanin in the melanocytes (pigment-forming skin cells). A very widespread active agent in bleaching skin creams is hydroquinone which used to be mainly used for developing films.

As hydroquinone is suspected to have a carcinogenic effect but is still available in pharmacies, it should only be used for a maximum of three months for safety reasons. In addition, two other common substances are used in bleaching creams: The effect of freely available and thus less dosed bleaching skin creams containing bleaching agents usually only sets in after two months depending on the severity of the pigment spots. Bleaching creams are typically applied in the morning and in the evening.

As bleaching agents make the skin more sensitive to sun radiation, an additional sunscreen should be applied in the morning. During such a long application time, skin irritations may occur. For this reason a dermatologist should be consulted before using such creams. In any case it should be taken care to use bleaching creams only as stated in the package insert and above all to apply them sparingly. – Kojic acid (which is prohibited in Switzerland, for example, but permitted in Germany)

Rucinol (which is about 100 times more effective than hydroquinone)

Products from the pharmacy

In the pharmacies there is a wide range of products to choose from, which serve to lighten pigmentation spots. A large part of them is based on plant ingredients. Over-the-counter pharmacy products containing active ingredients such as rocinol or hydroquinone are only available in very low doses.

In the case of creams containing hydroquinone already concentrations of more than 2% are subject to prescription. Due to these low concentrations, the products only unfold their effects slowly and to a rather mild extent, but they are also much gentler and probably less harmful to health. In order to intensify their effect, special creams with a combination of different substances are also offered, which often contain chemical peelings, such as fruit acid peelings, in addition to the actual bleaching agents.

Skin spots

Pigment or skin spots are brown skin areas that are caused by an activation of the melanocytes, especially by UV radiation in sunlight. In technical terminology they are called hyperpigmentations. They are mainly found in the décolleté, on the shoulders and on the “sun terraces” of the face.

The particularly exposed parts of the face, such as the nose, forehead, cheeks and ears, are described as such. Skin spots can appear in the form of freckles (ephecids) or age spots (Lentigo solaris) and take on different shades of brownish, reddish to ochre. A frequent special form of hypergimentation is the café-au-lait stain ( pigmentosus), which owes its name to its characteristic light to dark brown, very even colouring.

Skin spots can have various causes. In most cases a genetic predisposition seems to play at least a certain role. In addition, UV radiation is an important factor.

If the skin is exposed to this radiation, either in form of sunlight or in a tanning salon, the melanocytes react to it with an increased production of melanin. Since UV radiation has a damaging effect on cells, their enzymes and especially their DNA, the production of skin pigment serves to protect these cell components. Strong UV exposure may lead to local overactivation of the melanocytes.

Apart from this, skin spots can occur under many other circumstances. Due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, pigmentary spots like the café au lait stain often develop. Some medications, especially antibiotics of the tetracycline class such as Doxycycline, also promote the formation of skin spots as they make the skin more sensitive to light.

Apart from this, certain skin diseases such as herpes zoster also have an effect on the formation of skin spots. In order to counteract such hyperpigmentations, sufficient sun protection is indispensable. Once pigment spots have developed, they usually remain for a long time. If they are a cosmetic problem for the person concerned, bleaching agents may be used to lighten them. You can find additional information here: Pigment Disorders