Archive for the ‘ACNE’ Category

Hyperpigmenation is a huge concern for many women. It can be caused by a number of ways and can occur for the first time in any point of a woman’s life (or man, for that matter). Most cases of hyperpigmentation occur in people with darker skin tones. Asian, Hispanic, African decent, Middle Eastern and so on are the main skin tones affected.

But with so many options which are the best ones? Not to mention, which are actually safe AND effective treatments?

The most popular and cheapest ingredient is also the most risky. Some cheaper and black market products contain high amounts of Mercury or Hydroquinone and can affect your health and in come cases ruin your skin. It is best to buy products from a brand and location you trust rather than ebay and unknown websites.

Hydroquinone (HQ) is one of the most widely prescribed agents in the world. However, with reports of potential mutagenicity and epidemics of ochronosis in African nations, there has been increasing impetus to find alternative herbal and pharmaceutical depigmenting agents. A review of the literature reveals that numerous other depigmenting or skin-lightening agents are in use or in investigational stages.

Contact dermatitis occurs in a small number of patients and responds promptly to topical steroids. An uncommon, yet important, adverse effect of HQ is exogenous ochronosis. This disorder is characterized by progressive darkening of the area to which the cream containing HQ is applied. Histologically, degeneration of collagen and elastic fibers occurs. This degeneration is followed by the appearance of characteristic ochronotic deposits consisting of crescent-shaped, ochre-colored fibers in the dermis. About half of all Thai dermatologists prescribed creams with hydroquinone. He stopped prescribing it a decade ago when he noticed patients with redness and itching and with more serious side effects like ochronosis, the appearance of very dark patches of skin that are difficult to remove. Some patients also develop leukoderma, where the skin loses the ability to produce pigment, resulting in patches of pink.

http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic528.htm

In Skin Care school we also were warned of liver damage caused by HQ. I do not recommend it at all. The possibility of the opposite effect and it’s banning in various countries is enough to prove that it’s risk is more than it’s reward. White skin tones with light hyperpigmentation are the only skin tones that have the least risk and most benefits. If you must use it, do so in LOW qualtities 2% or less and as part of a combination treatment that uses other effective ingredients. The original Kligman formula involves compounding 5% HQ with 0.1% retinoic acid and
0.1% dexamethasone in a hydrophilic ointment base. 2% HQ can be just as effective when using various products with effective ingredients. In one study using 5% HQ which was very effective, found at the lower concentration (two per cent cream), the drug appeared to be equally effective therapeutically with fewer irritant reactions. From the result, it seems that hydroquinone is best on lighter skin and on lighter lesions. Non-medicated cosmetics, sunscreens, and moisturizing lotions may be worn over the hydroquinone preparation. However, wait several minutes after application of hydroquinone before applying them. Hydroquinone can be an unstable ingredient in cosmetic formulations. When exposed to air or sunlight it can turn a strange shade of brown. It is essential, when you are considering a hydroquinone product, to make sure it is packaged in a non-transparent container that doesn’t let light in and minimizes air exposure. Hydroquinone products packaged in jars are not recommended, because they become ineffective shortly after opening.
Please keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide may not be used on the skin when using any HQ.

Mainly the Skin Whitening Ingredients works in two ways to give you
a whiter skin:
1. By absorbing the UV rays, thus preventing the sun from darkening your skin.
2. By reducing the production of melanin, the skin pigment found in
your skin which is responsible for skin darkening.
Here are some of the ingredients you may find in your skin whitening products:

Glutathione
Glutathione is naturally found in living things. Glutathione is an antioxidant that is naturally occurring in the body, however, glutathione in the skin works by reversing the metabolizing effect that melanin undergoes to make skin darker. Glutathione comes in soaps, pills, and lotions. When utilizing glutathione capsules, it is important to make sure that you also consume Vitamin C in addition to the capsules so that the glutathione can be absorbed properly. Glutathione lotions and soaps are equally effective in reducing skin’s ability to produce pigment. Glutathione products work especially well with Asian skin types and has been utilized by some of Asia’s biggest celebrities. Glutathione is gentle yet effective enough to retain moisture that is needed by thicker skin types–like Asian skin–while also providing optimal whitening.

Kojic Acid:
It is used to lighten the skin in Japan. It is a tyrosinase inhibitor. That would explain how it reduces the production of skin pigment, melanin. Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. There is convincing research, both in vitro (in a test tube) and in vivo (on a live subject), showing kojic acid to be effective for inhibiting melanin production (Source: Archives of Pharmacal Research, August 2001, pages 307;311). Glycolic or kojic acid, or glycolic acid with hydroquinone, are highly effective in reducing the pigment in melasma patients.

Licorice Extract:
This absorbs the UVA and UVB rays. It also is a depigmenting agent and
inhibits the production of melanin.

Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera appears to absorb UV light. That would account for its mild
skin lightening abilities.

Octyl-p-methoxycinnamate:
This is a sunscreen. It absorbs UV light very well, preventing the UV
rays from darkening your skin.

Octyl salicylate:
This is a salt of the saliculic acid that is found in wintergreen
leaves. It is a sunscreen, found in sun tan lotions.

Oxybenzone:
This is a sunscreen chemical that absorbs UVA rays.

http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/skin-whitening.htm

Tretinoin:
Results can also take far longer with tretinoin than with other treatments, requiring at least six months or so before improvement is seen. Because of this, tretinoin is generally not recommended as the only option for skin discoloration but it can be used in combination with other effective topicals (source: eMedicine Journal, www.emedicine.com, November 15, 2001, Volume 2, Number 11). Even though tretinoin can be disappointing for skin lightening, that should in no way diminish the role it plays in the improvement in skin’s cell production, collagen production, elasticity, texture, and dermal thickness. Tretinoin, combined with more effective skin-lightening treatments, is a powerful alliance in the battle against sun-damaged and aged skin.

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate:
Magnesium-L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate (MAP) is a stable derivative of ascorbic acid. When used as a 10% cream, MAP was shown to suppress melanin formation. A significant lightening effect was seen clinically in 19 of 34 patients with melasma and solar lentigos. Furthermore, MAP has been shown to have a protective effect against skin damage induced by UV-B irradiation. The latter protective effect is because of the conversion of MAP to AS.
http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic528.htmSkin Lightener Reviews

I’m happy to announce our online boutique is finally open! We will continue to add more and more products as the days and weeks continue!
We are an online supplier of Kryolan professional makeup! If there is something for that line you would like email me and I’ll be sure to carry it.

When I was in college during my first semester, I had bad acne…everywhere. So naturally I went to the school dermatologist.

He was a long haired old hippy looking guy. He put this device up to my back, face, butt, everywhere to get a closer look. Very creepy.

In the end he gave me the best advice I’ve ever had, and you know what…it changed everything!

First, he told me not to shave my bum. He said there isn’t much hair there anyway and it was doing more harm than good. I never thought anything about it I just thought the less hair everywhere the better…wrong!

Now I make sure to not shave any area that gets irritated easily…the place you sit on and rub fabric on is going to get irritated quickly! He said that if the area is shaved and rubbed throughout the day the skin will become inflamed and irritated and the pores, which are now more open without the hair, will get easily filled with bacteria. Not a good outcome.

Then came my back. I sure as heck wasn’t shaving that! Turns out that I should have known better and washed my body AFTER washing and rinsing out completely the shampoo and conditioner (treatments) from my hair. My current last step, the conditioner, really clogs pores up nicely!

Hair products too! I had to either straighten my hair out or put my products mouse in and dry the hair out completely BEFORE letting my hair touch the skin on my back. Products will easily clog pores and create a mess back there.

Still getting irritations? We’re not done yet!

Now you have to take out fabric softener, clothing detergent, soaps, lotions, etc. Anything with the word “fragrance” needs to be tossed in the trash. I would urge also to switch to non toxic too, but do the best you can.

I use fragrance free and non toxic detergent only and no more fabric softener since even the so-call safe ones were just not. Must be something in them that’s no good. I choose soft skin over soft clothes any day!!!

My soap is now the dove bar unscented. The liquid is more toxic than the bar. No idea why but it is. Either one is better than something with a scent.

Yes, you will NEVER ever go into Bath & Body Works again…ever! That place is instant death for your skin! TOXIC HEAVEN.

Get used to not having any products with a scent. Go for a natural scent. Those cheap added scents and fragrances are TOXIC and horrible for the body and your poor skin. Say no!!! Natural essential oils are OK, just put them on your clothes and not your skin. There is a natural oil for all the wonderful scents you love. Make your own real oil based perfume

If you are considering trying safer non toxic products I review them, write about them, and even sell them on my other blog… HERE

A huge help for my skin and hair was getting a chlorine filter in the shower! Amazing difference! Less dryness, irritation, split-ends, oh and it will lessing chances of getting cancer! Exposure to chlorine can cause that. It’s nasty stuff. I haven’t been in a pool since I read about it. Forget the pee and fecal matter…it’s the chlorine itself that will kill ya!

A cheap and nice way to exfoliate:
Aspirin and an enzyme mask.
It’s anti-inflammatory and the enzymes will take way dead dull layers of old skin. Just run a non coated cheaper pill under water and rub on the grit to your face (probably 2 pills will be good enough), then mix on top your enzyme mask or mix it in the mask before and put on your face. Whatever works for you. Leave on 20 or so minutes and rub and wash off.

I’ll add even more tips on here later, but this will get you going in the right direction! Share your tips in the comments section!