Skin lightening is a cosmetic technique used to obtain an even skin tone. It works by reducing or controlling the amount of melanin in your skin.An uneven skin tone may be a consequence of hyperpigmentation – which is the appearance of dark patches on your skin. The dark areas of skin may be caused by age spots, freckles, or melasma. People use skin-lightening techniques to fade out these imperfections.
Melanin is the chief factor that determines an individual’s skin color. It is a biological pigment present inside the skin.
Melanocytes are specialized cells in the epidermis (top layer of skin) that are responsible for melanin synthesis. Melanosomes are specialized structures inside the cells that store melanin.
Melanin is the body’s natural sunscreen. It is responsible for protecting the skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun exposure.
Excessive exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer. Melanin absorbs the UV rays and acts as a natural barrier against them.The amount of melanin in the skin is directly proportional to the skin tone.
A darker individual has more melanin than a person with a lighter skin tone. Therefore, dark-skinned individuals are better protected against UV rays.
There are also two types of melanin: pheomelanin and eumelanin. Pheomelanin is red to yellow in color and present in people with light complexions or red hair.
Eumelanin is dark brown to black and present in people with dark complexions and those who tan easily.A yellowish tinge in the skin can be the result of pigmentation by carotene.
Hyperpigmentation, or the appearance of dark patches on the skin, resulting in an uneven skin tone is common. These patches can occur due to any of the following reasons:
1.Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun or UV radiation is harmful. The UV rays can damage the cells in the epidermal layer of the skin. To prevent this damage, the production of melanin is increased.
