Many Indians place a high value on achieving a fair skin tone. This cultural preference often leads individuals to engage in practices such as over-exfoliation, experimenting with various remedies, and undergoing fairness treatments. This often leads to skin damage and side effects that often cannot be rectified.

People often forget or are unaware that genetics and hormonal status play a crucial role in determining one’s natural skin tone. They are responsible for maintaining the melanin content in our body, which defines an individual’s skin tone. Individuals with higher melanin levels tend to have a darker complexion, while those with lower levels are fairer. It is important to recognise and appreciate that both skin types possess their unique beauty. For those seeking to address specific skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, excessive tanning, or discolouration leading to an uneven skin tone, this article offers valuable insights. Understanding the underlying causes and exploring effective solutions can help you achieve a more balanced and healthy complexion.Read More

Can A Dark Skin Tone Ever Become Fair?

No, Dark skin tone cannot be changed to fair naturally. Skin color is primarily determined by genetics. However, proper care, such as using sunscreen, moisturizing, and incorporating vitamins like C and E into your regular skincare routine, can improve your skin’s overall tone and texture.

Why Is “Trying To Become Fair” So Controversial?

Fairness creams are popular among both men and women. Widespread advertising has misled us to believe that dark-skinned people can change their skin tone to lighter tones almost magically. As these products flood the market frequently, they can be hard to resist.

Cautionary Notes:

• It is also important to note that most creams sold in the market contain ingredients such as steroids, hydroquinone, mercury and tretinoin. You should use skin creams under the strict supervision of a dermatologist for a stipulated time and avoid using them without guidance. Unsupervised use of these products in the long term can lead to adverse effects like permanent dyspigmentation, thinning and wrinkling of the skin, abnormal sensitivity, rashes, itch and burning sensation. Apart from these, prolonged use may result in the absorption of harmful ingredients into the bloodstream, which may, in turn, cause serious health concerns.
• These skin fairness products ignore the overall quality of the skin and do not address the underlying cause of melanin buildup.
• Easy access to information combined with a deluge of content on overnight fairness solutions promoted this fad. Dozens of articles and videos talk about products or ingredients that falsely promise to give you fair skin permanently and instantly, with no scientific evidence or medical research to substantiate these claims.

Why Do We Want Fairness Solutions?

All of us desire to flaunt fair and glowing skin. However, dark patches, acne marks, suntan, age spots and pigmentation like melasma and freckles that appear due to a melanin buildup lead to an uneven complexion and visible skin dullness. Are you noticing dark spots and discoloured skin? The chances are that you may be suffering from any of the following forms of hyperpigmentation:

To get rid of the above and achieve clear and radiant skin, we are ready to experiment with any instant fairness solution available! A word of caution: do not fall prey to dubious “fairness experts” and spurious skin whitening solutions that promise overnight results.

How To Get Fair Skin Fast Permanently At Home?

How to lighten skin naturally and permanently? Well, there is no such thing that can make your skin fair or light from a darker tone. Nevertheless, just as a good diet is healthy for the body, there are natural remedies that can improve overall health and hydration of the skin, making it look supple, smooth and fresh for some time.

Here is a list of some of the home remedies to get fair skin:

• Turmeric:

It has anti-bacterial properties, so it helps fight infection-causing microbes on the skin and reduce the chances of acne breakouts, ensuring spotless skin. You can apply it to both dry and oily skin. Mix some milk with turmeric to form a good paste. Apply the paste and let it rest for 15-20 mins. It will deliver a natural glow to the skin.

• Honey:

It is a great nourishing agent for oily, acne-prone and combination skin types. It has anti-bacterial and bleaching properties that aid in reducing pigmentation and acne spots on the skin. Take a spoonful of honey; you can dilute it with water. Apply it directly onto your skin and rinse it off after some time.

• Orange Juice:

The citric acid in oranges is an excellent source of skin rejuvenation and detoxification. People of all skin types can topically apply orange juice directly or in dried powdered form. It helps reduce the risk of acne and adds a bit of tightness to the skin for some time.

• Besan:

Besan, or gram flour, has been a trusted natural exfoliator in households for generations. Suitable for all skin types, it effectively removes dead skin cells and dirt, leaving your skin refreshed and smooth. To prepare a besan face pack, mix the flour with some milk and a pinch of turmeric. Apply this mixture and leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing it with lukewarm water.

• Cucumber:

Due to its PH balancing properties, cucumber is a great source of skin rejuvenation for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin. It is a great ingredient for skin hydration and provides instant relief to dull and dry skin. Make a cucumber paste or cut thin slices and apply directly.

• Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera is a wonderful remedy for soft and hydrated skin due to its tender and soothing properties. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and suitable for all skin types. Scrape off some aloe vera gel from its leaves and apply it directly to your skin.

• Carrot:

Carrots are a good source of antioxidants and beta-carotene, protecting all skin types from sunburn and reducing the visible signs of ageing. For the face pack, shred or grind some carrots and make a thin paste by mixing milk. Apply the paste and let it rest for about 30 minutes before rinsing it with water. Repeating it at least four times a week can show visible improvement in skin quality and tone.

• Olive Oil:

Ideal for dry skin, olive oil offers numerous benefits, such as skin moisturisation and damaged cell repair. It delivers a natural glow to the skin. Take some olive oil and gently rub the face in circular motions for 10-15 minutes. Leave the oil to absorb for another 10 minutes and then rinse your face with a gentle facewash.

• Milk:

Milk is an excellent moisturising source. It helps control the level of tyrosine in the skin and promotes a natural glow. It is suitable for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin.

• Papaya:

Papaya offers numerous benefits for managing and moisturising dry skin. It is rich in skin-lightening properties and acts as a gentle exfoliator. You can use papaya as a peel-off mask to remove inactive protein cells and dead skin cells.

• Yoghurt:

Yoghurt is a rich source of good bacteria. When applied to dry skin, it helps control yeast production and reduce the risk of acne breakouts. It also helps reduce sun tan and age spots on the skin. Directly apply it with a cotton ball and leave it to rest for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water afterwards.

Do Dermatologists Help In Getting A Fair Skin Tone?

Are you looking for science-backed treatment options for skin lightening? Then you should consult an experienced dermatologist who will recommend effective treatment options that break the melanin buildup at the concerning area. In the next section of this article, we explained some of the commonly known skin whitening treatment options.

How To Make Your Skin White Permanently?

In dermatological science today, various treatment options are available to aesthetically improve your complexion by fixing concerns like dark spots, tanning, acne marks, pigmentation spots and ageing signs. Here is list of the medical & professional treatments to get fair skin permanently:

• Laser Toning:

The laser toning treatment involves using of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser beam to break down the excess melanin in your skin, resulting in a better complexion of the targeted skin. It is a safe and precise treatment without significant side effects or downtime. It helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, pigmentation and age spots, acne marks, and sun tan and delivers an even tone to the skin.[1]

Learn more about laser toning treatment for skin lightening by watching this video:

• Microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion involves removing dead skin cells from the upper layer of damaged skin using aluminium oxide crystals or a diamond-tipped abrasive device. This treatment exfoliates the surface layer of the skin and promotes new cellular regeneration. It helps to even out the skin tone but does not cause melanin deposits to break.

• Chemical Peels:

This treatment involves applying a peeling solution containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids to the skin. The chemical peel helps break melanin deposits and exfoliate the top layers of dead cells. It also helps lighten discoloured skin by removing blemishes, wrinkles, and pigmentation marks.

Watch this video to learn more about the use and benefits of chemical peels for skin lightening:

• Arbutin:

Arbutin is a natural extract found in bearberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts. This ingredient inhibits melanin synthesis and is a great agent for lightening skin colour by reducing the visibility of freckles, pigmentation marks, and age spots.

• Retinol:

Dermatologists prescribe retinol, a natural form of vitamin A, to help treat hyperpigmentation. It accelerates the natural skin cell regeneration.

• Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is abundantly available in vegetables and fruits. Doctors recommend using it topically in the form of creams and lotions for skin lightening. It helps reduce dark spots and pigmentation marks on the skin by inhibiting melanin production in the target area and promoting collagen synthesis.[2]

• Skin Whitening Injections (Glutathione injections):

Glutathione, an amino acid antioxidant, promotes pheomelanin synthesis and has anti-ageing effects. Therefore, dermatologists use Glutathione injections to reduce hyperpigmentation, tanning, wrinkles, acne marks, and melasma.[3]

Must Watch:

How To Lighten Skin Naturally And Permanently?

The following ways can help you improve the quality of your skin and keep it looking fresh and radiant for some time.

• Cleansing:

Proper skin hygiene is an essential tip. Ensure you cleanse your face with gentle facewash to remove any dirt, impurities, or oil deposits. Cleanse your face at least twice daily, even if you are not going out.

• Exfoliate your skin:

Exfoliation helps to remove clogged pores, which, if not managed, may lead to blackheads or any other form of acne and may degrade the skin’s colour and texture. It also helps remove the buildup of dead skin cells and accumulated dirt on the skin. You can exfoliate using OTC products or with simple home remedies, such as besan or sugar crystals.

• Focus on Your Diet:

What you eat reflects in your mind, body and soul. Therefore, the kind of food you intake directly determines the general health of your body, including your skin. A rich and balanced diet allows the body to fight skin infections and slows down ageing signs, such as pigmentation, wrinkles and marks. Eating high-calorie, fatty, oily or processed foods will leave the skin prone to acne and pigmentation and trigger ageing signs sooner.

• Keep Yourself Hydrated:

The quality of food, the quantity of water or healthy liquids you consume greatly impact the quality of your skin. Dehydration causes skin to look dull, dry or lifeless. Adequate amounts of water or healthy fluids (such as fresh juices, coconut water, homemade soups) will avoid or reduce the accumulation of toxins in the body. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day is best to ensure skin stays supple and fresh.

• Applying Sunscreen:

One cannot stress the importance of sunscreen enough in the daily skincare routine. Exposure to sun rays and pollution in the outside environment significantly impact skin complexion, making it darker within no time. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen will help minimise skin damage from harmful UV rays and reduce skin irritability due to pollution.

• Get Proper Sleep:

Like food, proper sleep is also essential for our body to re-energise. The quality and quantity of sleep reflect significantly on the skin. Improper or inadequate sleep can make skin look dull or pale and develop dark circles and wrinkles. Research has linked sleep with melanin production in the body; thus, sleep may directly impact our complexion. Eight hours of sleep is ideal for optimal health and well-being.  

• Moisturise and Nourish:

Maintaining a healthy skincare routine is all about taking care of its nourishment and moisturisation. Following the proper steps and using the right products keeps your skin healthy, smooth and radiant. Before you define your skincare regime and invest in moisturisers and nourishing creams, it is best to determine the right products based on your skin type and health. The right products will help improve complexion and promote cell repair.

• Routine Cleansing Detox:

Routine detoxifying is a good lifestyle habit for flushing out impurities from the body. As the first thing every morning, you can have a glass of lukewarm water everyday mixed with a spoonful of honey and lime juice. Detoxifying helps purify harmful toxins in the blood, liver, kidneys, and urinary tract.

• Nourishing Night Creams:

The best way to revive and re-energise your skin and body is to get a good night’s sleep. Applying a vitamin-rich nourishing cream at night can significantly enhance the skin’s repair process, as these important nourishing nutrients get absorbed into the skin.

• Relaxing Oil Massage:

Gentle oil massage of the skin can help reduce tension and stress trapped in facial muscles. It is also ideal for blood circulation and stimulating skin cells and tissues to revive faster.

The Potential Side Effects Of Instant Fairness Solutions

Instant skin fairness solutions are avoidable as they may cause the following side effects:

• Thinning of the skin
• Discolouration of the face
• Increased visibility of the capillaries
• Severe acne
• Hypersensitivity to sunlight
• Rebound paradoxical pigmentation
• Unwanted facial hair growth
• Skin allergy

Now that you are aware of the reasons to avoid experimenting with instant fairness hacks, it is time to find out about safe and effective dermatological solutions that can help you flaunt a flawless complexion.

Takeaway

We hope you found this article informative and interesting. Remember, do not fall for skin fairness hacks. Instead, be wise and reach out to experienced and certified medical professionals to seek an accurate assessment of your skin type and diagnosis of underlying conditions robbing your skin of its natural glow. Make an informed decision and select from a variety of safe and effective skin brightening and lightening treatments available at esteemed dermatology clinics that can help your skin get a fresh, youthful, and healthy makeover!