The Top Ten Skin Lightening Myths

10) You cannot get darker (acquire sun damage) on cloudy days
The Truth: You most definitley can get darker (get sun damaged) on a cloudy day, if you are not wearing adequate sun protection. The UV index is highest during the hours of 12:00 pm - 4:00pm in the spring and summer. During the winter it's usually noon to around 2pm.

9) Lemons are great, healthy skin lighteners
The Truth: Lemons are extremely potent in acid and drying. The only lightening aspect they have is the ascorbic acid content, which is completley offset by the harsh, skin drying properties of pure lemon juice.

8) People who lighten their skin are psychologically damaged
The Truth: The majority of people who lighten their skin have a specific goal, and know exactly why they are lightening their skin. It can be anything from erasing sun damage, lightening up melasma, freckles, or just an uneven skin tone. It can be lightening up in shades to achieve a desired color - it really shouldn't affect anybody else, as long as it's done in a safe, healthy approach.

I do understand there are people out there than lighten their skin due to extreme low self-esteem, or deeper societal issues. That is a problem that is specific to them, it does not encompass all of us. Skin lightening to me is just like any other 'health improvement' step/goal in life (weightloss etc). As long as it isn't being done in an unhealthy way (meaning draining finances, using products with hydroquinone) than it is completley fine. If it makes you happy and more content with your physical appearence, then more power to you!

7) People who lighten their skin are harming their skin/bodies
The Truth: Unless you are using products with hydroquinone, mequinol, or monobenzone as all over skin lighteners, then you are not in any way harming yourself. Actually a skin lightening regimen is one of the healthiest skin care regime's because it encourages sun protection (number one defense against wrinkles, and skin cancer), as well as a healthy skin care habit (exfoliation, topical antioxidants, topical botanical extracts etc.).

6) I can use a skin lightener, and then once I reach my goal I can stop and still maintain my results.
The Truth: That is false. Skin lighteners or any skin care treatment (retinoids, antioxidants, copper peptides, niacinamide) only benefit you when you are consistently using them. Just like any medicine or drug out there, if you stop using it, you stop reaping the benefits.

That is why using non-HQ products and safe skin lighteners is the only way to go. This is something that you must maintain just like everything else in life. There is no one quick-fix moment. Personally I love my skin care regimen, and I definitley plan on using this all my life since it not only lightens my skin, but it keeps me acne free and prevents premature aging.

5) Hormones have nothing to do with hyperpigmentation.
The Truth: Hormones do have a role in irregular pigmentation/melanin distribution. Usually this only affects women, mainly during pregnancy or menopause. Using sunscreen, and using Vitamin C serums, lighteners can offset and treat hormone-induced pigmentation issues.

4) Most black celebrities use skin lightening products
The Truth: Well, the ultimate truth is that none of us really know. However I am willing to bet that most of them do not directly. I say directly, because in Hollywood, most actors and musicians are told to keep up with their appearence, and that means taking care of their skin.

The number one rule, in any skin care routine is to wear sunscreen. Sunscreen alone prevents darkening and can allow the skin to heal and return to it's original color. Most celebs are told to wear sunscreen to prevent sun damage, and wrinkles. Alot of times, it's just makeup or lighting, as was the case with Beyonce.

3) Skin lighteners can make you 'white'.
The Truth: Unless you are Caucasian or are naturally born with white skin, reverting to or achieving that color is not possible. Skin lightening products (antioxidants, botanical lighteners, retinoids, AHAs, copper peptides) can lighten you up in shades but cannot change your undertones, and make you go 15 shades lighter. That is bleaching, and the only products that bleach are harmful.

Monobenzone bleaches skin and is designed for vitiligo patients.

2) A diet high in MSM can lighten skin
The Truth: A diet consisting of lots of MSM is great for general health, but not for skin lightening. I do not believe in Dr. Thienna's claims, and I have not heard or seen any evidence that proved a significant skin lightening change from a diet high in MSM.

1) Natural, safe skin lighteners won't lighten as much as hydroquinone
The Truth: False. Natural, safe skin lighteners, and products that assist in lightening like retinoids and AHAs (basically anything that is HQ-free, monobenzone-free) can work just as well as hydroquinone. There are studies proving that niacinamide, glucosamine, soy, kojic acid, gigawhite, arbutin, and rumex extract are just as effective (if not more, since they can be used for life without any risks) as hydroquinone.

Never beleive any claim that hydroquinone is the best. Using good sunscreen, retinoids, AHAs, botanical lighteners and topical antioxidants will lighten your skin just as well, and keep your skin healthier.

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