Seen On
Sep 3, 2005 12:34 pm US/Central
Skin Whitening Products Gain Popularity
It Used To Be That Sun-Kissed Skin Was In
Jim Williams
Reporting
(CBS) Clear, radiant skin: we'd all love to have it, right? But sometimes uneven skin tone can get in the way of that perfect complexion. CBS 2's Jim Williams tells us about new solutions that'll help you look on the bright side.
Whether you love to catch rays or just enjoy the outdoors it used to be that sun-kissed skin was in. But the tides have turned. Consumers are now looking to lighten up
Lynn Dornblaser of Mintel Market Research said, "The skin whitening products have really made their way to the States..." and she says this trend won't fade. There's a boom in the number of lotions, gels, and serums that promise to even out pigment and clear up those dark patches caused by sun exposure, pregnancy, and birth control pills.
“For the most part, the products we see are for the face, but we do see some that are for the neck and chest and hands," Dornblaser said. Some brighteners are prescription, some you can buy over the counter.
Jared Kassof of Sephora said, “The generation gap is wide between the people that are coming in. It can be people anywhere from 25 up to women that are definitely 55, 60."
Nancy Herman says spending time in the sun not only damaged her skin, but her self image. "I put, you know, like concealer on my face and makeup every time I wanted to leave the house,” she said. Now she applies a prescription skin whitener twice daily.
Dermatologist Dr. Diane Walder says the most effective
whiteners contain hydroquinone. She said, "Hydroquinone is a
product that interferes with the production of melanin” which
produces the color in our skin. The more hydroquinone a product
contains, the more dramatic the results. “Usually the over-the-
counter products are 2%. The prescription products usually start
at 4%," Walder said.
whiteners contain hydroquinone. She said, "Hydroquinone is a
product that interferes with the production of melanin” which
produces the color in our skin. The more hydroquinone a product
contains, the more dramatic the results. “Usually the over-the-
counter products are 2%. The prescription products usually start
at 4%," Walder said.
But don't expect results overnight. Skin whitener Susan Arnold said, “Sometimes at the beginning of the treatment you may get some flaking, some itching, some redness..."
Dr. Walder said, “You'll see the most dramatic results usually, you know, in 8 to 12 weeks."
Dr. Walder says over-the-counter whiteners are safe and work well if you have light splotching, but if your trouble spots are serious she says a prescription is the better choice.
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