What is the difference between skin lightening and skin whitening?

Skin lightening and skin whitening are the two most commonly used terms used by women and men seeking skin treatments worldwide. Full body whitening treatments are one of the top bridal dermatological treatments in India. However, skin lightening and skin whitening treatments are often used interchangeably but they are widely different from each other.

No matter what skin colour one is born with, the desire to have brighter, glowing and more even-toned skin never really goes away. Skin tone and colour play an important role in the life of men and women, especially in Asian and African countries. The whiter the skin, the better the life will be a common myth that most have had to deal with. Whether it is accepting a marriage proposal or seeking a new job, most people are often conscious about their skin colour and tone. The overwhelming presence of skin-whitening products in the market is testimony to the fact that radiance-boosting and fairness-enhancing merchandise are forever in demand by millions. However, there is a notable difference between body whitening treatments and skin lightening treatments which a person needs to understand fully before committing to a line of treatment.

Why does the need for a skin whitening treatment or skin lightening treatment arise?

Thanks to the rising consciousness about skin care, most people today are vigilant when it comes to skincare. And this is not just limited to the face and neck, hands, back, and feet the private regions also receive skin care. Nevertheless, there are some factors that can affect skin tone and brightness

• Sun exposure
• Medications
• Medical conditions
• Pollution and other environmental elements
• Unguided chemical use on the skin
• Stress and anxiety
• Improper skin care (products and treatments)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Dead skin cells as they hamper the process of cell turnover and blood circulation in the skin

All these make the skin dark, and pigmented, causing dark spots and bumps on the skin and resulting in uneven skin tone (hyperpigmentation).

What is hyperpigmentation?

In simple words, any darkening of the skin is called hyperpigmentation. This usually affects the areas of the skin that are more exposed to the sun and other external factors. In order to protect us from the external elements the skin starts to produce more melanin which causes the skin to become darker in shade and lose its glow. Hyperpigmentation appears in the form of freckles, blotchiness, dry skin, sunspots, brown patches etc.

What is an ideal skin?

The following characteristics define an ideal skin

• Even tone without pigmentation caused because of sun exposure or acne or other issues.
• The good complexion and even texture are not marred by dead skin cells
• Lesser number of pores

In a quest for a fair, glowing, clear and flawless complexion man people gravitate towards online or shelf products that make big claims such as overnight transformations. The harsh truth is that chemical-based products only harm the skin in long run. In order to get the glow that you want and maintain skin health, an expert’s insight is what comes in handy at all times.

There is a lot of prevalent confusion about what product to use which will actually correct your skin concerns such as skin brightening, lighting or whitening. They are not the same and some studies have also shown that some unsupervised chemical approaches to skin whitening can actually do more harm to the skin than good.  Let’s first learn what is the difference between skin lightening and skin whitening is:

Skin lightening

Skin lightening is a term used to define the treatments given to diminish the effect of melanin on the skin and give it a clearer appearance. Permanent skin lightening treatments to reduce the visible effects of pigmentation such as hyperpigmentation, acne scars, melasma and discolouration. Skin lightening is done with the aim to restore the natural radiance and youthful appearance of the skin. It is a skin rejuvenation procedure that helps remove dead skin cells from the top layer thus revealing smooth, even-toned and lighter skin much closer to its natural tone.

Skin lightening treatments include the use of specially formulated creams containing ingredients like Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Tranexamic acid and Alpha Arbutin. These reduce the activity of melanin and clear the skin.

Skin whitening

Skin whitening is actually a combination of skin brightening and skin lightening treatments. Combined together they remove the dark and dull spots from the skin, reduce the dead skin cells, and lighten the skin complexion to make it appear ‘whiter’ than the natural skin tone. Skin brightening products increase the radiance and vibrancy of the skin and give it a plump and youthful appearance. The important point to keep in mind is that skin brightening does not alter the number of pigments in the skin but it works on the skin surface by cleaning and hydrating it so that the skin appears instantly brighter.

The most common skin-brightening ingredients include Vitamin C. Alpha hydroxy acids, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Beta hydroxy acids. These also help in protecting the skin from environmental damage.

The most common treatments used for skin lightening and skin whitening procedures are

• Chemical peels: This is a simple skin-lightening treatment in which the dermatologist applies a chemical solution containing alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, or a low concentration of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and strong peels like phenol peels, stronger TCA peels, and croton oil peels (natural extracts) to exfoliate the damaged upper layers of the skin. The chemical exfoliates gently peel the top and middle layers of the skin and with it they remove the dead skin cells build up, scars, and dark spots and allow the healthy tissues to appear on the surface. There are three types of chemical peels used commonly: light, medium and deep. The dermatologist will choose the right skin-lightening treatment depending on your skin type and concerns. Chemical peels also help improve blood circulation and cell turnover thus reducing the fine lines and wrinkles on the face. They also improve collagen production in the skin which helps keep the skin looking plump and rested for a long time. Chemical peel treatments are to be repeated every two to three months for maximum effects.
• Laser treatments for skin lightening and skin whitening: lasers are the new gold standard for skin rejuvenation. Lasers are completely non-invasive, painless skin treatment devices that give the most natural-looking results in skin lightening and whitening. Laser peels gently target the melanin build-up under the skin and brakes down the pigments. The Laser can be used on the face as well as other body areas. Lasers are a long-lasting treatment for skin rejuvenation. Face whitening laser treatment uses Q-switched lasers that give almost immediate results without damaging the skin around the treatment area.
• Skin whitening injections: Glutathione is the most popular skin whitening treatment used by skin experts worldwide. When injected into the skin, glutathione produces tyrosinase enzyme which reduces melanin production, protects the skin from UV rays and improves skin tone.
• Skin hydration: This type of skin-lightening treatment uses a combination of mesotherapy and hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin using mesotherapy. It improves skin hydration, and the production of collagen and elastin. This in turn improves the body’s immunity against radicals and results in fresher and youthful-looking skin that is free of discolouration and dullness.
• Bleaches: These are mostly over-the-counter treatments that can be easily used at home. They contain whitening products like azelaic acid, arbutin, lactic acid etc and they work only on the outer layer of the skin. The results are temporary and long-term use can cause skin irritation, premature ageing, dryness and even breakouts.

Skin lightening and skin whitening treatments are highly effective and can give long-lasting results if you follow a good skincare routine even after the procedures are over. Here are some simple skin care pointers to help you maintain your skin tone and have radiantly glowing skin forever

• Sunscreen is a must every day. Sunscreen protects the skin from being damaged and protects it from becoming dry and tanned.
• Include anti-pigmentation products in your daily skin routine. This help reduces dark marks and reduces the amount of melanin in the skin and prevents skin irritation to ensure good skin health.
• Follow your skincare routine daily
• Avoid touching your face
• Switch to chemical and paraben-free skin care products
• Vitamin C serums and creams are meant for the morning and retinol, glycolic acid and azelaic acid are meant for your night-time routines.