All females, irrespective of their age or ethnicity desire even, clear and glowing skin. For the majority of women, the challenge to obtain radiant skin starts with dark spots or hyperpigmentation brought on by the accumulation of melanin. Hyperpigmentation may be exacerbated by genetics and ethnicity. For black and brown skinned ladies of African, South East Asian and Hispanic descent, hyperpigmentation may cause an uneven skin color.

For Caucasian women of European or Asian descent, blotchiness as well as spots a result of sun damage along with the signs of aging stand in the way of clear and glowing skin. Additional obstacles to clear skin are dryness or breakouts resulted by hormonal imbalances linked to life changes such as menopause and stress.

 So here are 6 ways to lighten your skin, these include professional as well as natural treatments.

1. Laser skin whitening:

Although the thought of working with lasers on one’s skin directly may sound scary; laser whitening is an extremely popular process which is quite risk-free as compared to other cosmetic processes. Laser skin whitening (also known as a “laser peel”) is a cosmetic treatment method that makes use of small bursts of laser light to lighten your skin and then get rid of dark blemishes.

In the course of the process, dermatologists use a hand-held laser-light emitter to get rid of the surface layer of your skin. Moving the emitter backward and forward across the skin leads to the laser light to destroy the melanin-producing cells within it. By minimizing the quantity of these “melanocytes,” the skin’s natural pigment formation process could be simply stopped or slowed, resulting in the skin to eventually become lighter.

Apart from whitening the skin, cosmetic laser treatments will work wonders by minimizing fine lines as well as wrinkles. Laser resurfacing is furthermore useful for bettering the presence of sun damage, scars left from acne, age spots, and other common skin issues.

2. Taking care of Your skin every day:

Put on sunscreen daily:

Sun exposure could wreak all kinds of havoc on your skin texture, from freckles and brown spots to severe sunburns and skin cancer. If you want to have lighter skin, you need to look after it correctly, using a sunblock with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating.

• When you expose the skin to UVA and UVB light, the body generates melanin that will make your skin look darker. Thus, the first most important thing that can be done to lighten your skin would be to put on sunscreen every day you will be outside, regardless of whether it is not super-hot or sunny.
• You may also shield your skin by dressing in light, long-sleeved clothes and also by wearing a hat and sunglasses whenever you are under the sun for a long period of time.

Cleanse and Hydrate your skin every day:

Maintaining and taking care of the skin includes following a strict skincare regime where the skin is deeply cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized. Religiously cleanse your face two times a day, once after you wake up and once before you sleep. This gets rid of the dirt and oil, which is essential for a healthy, clear complexion. Hydrate with a product that is suited to your skin type.

• If you have oily or even blemish-prone skin, it is advisable to go for light skin lotions, although individuals with extremely dry skin must choose heavier creams.

Exfoliate your skin one or two times every week:

This is very important since it eliminates the dark, dead skin cells and exposes the new, lighter skin beneath. You can exfoliate using a product that contains tiny particles, or by delicately rubbing your face with a fresh, damp washcloth.

• If you have acne-prone skin, look for a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid, that will melt away dead skin cells without over-stimulating the skin.

Drink plenty of water and stick to a nutritious diet:

Drinking water and eating healthy will not magically make the skin lighter, however, it can help the skin to restore itself.

• When skin rejuvenates, the old, pigmented cellular layers will fade away and fresh, new skin is exposed, making your skin look more radiant and healthier. Consuming plenty of water accelerates this process, which means you should make an effort to gulp down between 6 and 8 glasses daily.
• A healthy diet will also help to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy by supplying it with the vitamins and nutritional value it requires. Try to eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible (specifically those rich in vitamins A, C, and E) and steer clear of junk food.
• You also need to consider taking a dietary supplement that contains ingredients like Grapeseed Extract (which offers antioxidant advantages) and Flaxseed or Fish oil, both of these have Omega-3 which makes them great for hair, skin, and nails.

3. Quit smoking:

We all know that smoking is bad for your health, although not everyone is familiar with the harm it could do to your skin. Smoking results in premature aging, causing fine lines and wrinkles. This also reduces blood circulation around your facial area, causing it to turn into ashey or grey-looking.

4. Consider microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion is a great alternative solution for individuals whose skin is sensitive to acid peels and lotions. It basically exfoliates and "polishes" the skin, getting rid of dull, dark cellular layers and thus making skin more radiant and fresher.

• During the procedure, a small closed vacuum with a spinning diamond tip is placed on the face. Dead skin cells are eliminated and sucked into the vacuum.
• The treatment normally requires somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes, nonetheless, 6 to 12 treatments might be essential to obtain visible results.
• Some individuals might experience a bit redness or dryness after the treatment yet, in general, microdermabrasion has lesser negative effects compared to other treatments

5. Use lemon juice:

The citric acid in lemon juice is an all-natural bleaching ingredient that could possibly be utilized in aid to lighten the skin if put to use cautiously. It is highly crucial that you refrain from going out in the sunlight with citrus juice on your skin, since, it can result in a really painful reaction called "Phyto photodermatitis."

• Squeeze the juice from about half of a lemon and dilute it to half power with water. Dip a piece of cotton in the liquid and apply the lemon juice to your skin, or at any place, you would like to lighten the skin. Allow the lemon juice to sit on the skin for 12 to 15 minutes. You should not go outside during this time, because the juice tends to make your skin hypersensitive to sunlight.
• Thoroughly wash the skin when you are done, and then apply a good moisturizing cream as lemon juice can be extremely drying. Do the same treatment 2-4 times every week (not more) for satisfactory results.

6. Look into using hydroquinone:

Hydroquinone is a powerful and effective skin bleaching product that can be used to whiten large surfaces of skin, or even bleach sun spots and moles. Even though hydroquinone is FDA-approved as a skin lightener in the United States, this has been banned in major parts of Europe and Asia because of the study that claimed the ingredient was a possible carcinogen. This can also result in permanent skin discoloration, therefore make use of this product with caution.

• Discuss the treatment method with your doctor or skin specialist first. Concentrations as much as 2% are available Over the counter, while more powerful concentrations (up to 4%) demand a prescription.

Choosing the right procedure can be a task. We have covered the best skin lightening methods available out there, for you. Be it a natural or a cosmetic solution it is important to do your research before settling for the right option.