In this post, Kay (IG: @Kaygebeauty) and I discuss the importance of combining skincare Ingredients when it comes to hyperpigmentation, and which ones to combine. For example, azelaic acid and retinol, niacinamide and retinol, hydroquinone and tretinoin, kojic acid and glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, arbutin, and more.
Dark Marks: How Long Does it Take Skincare to Work
Dark marks can be tough to treat, but did you know that you can effectively get rid of dark spots/marks very fast? It just would require more from you.
We will cover:
Well-known pigment lighteners and how long they take to work
Treatments like chemical peels and lasers and how long those take to work.
Combinations of both topicals and treatments and how long the combo takes to work.
Factors that influence how quickly or slowly your spots fade.
Rule of Thumb
If you’re consistent with your skincare, it can take 1-3 months on the face and 3-6 months on the body to get rid of dark spots/marks. This difference in timeframe is because the skin on your body is much thicker than on your face. If you do nothing, it can take years, especially as an adult. Your skin cells aren’t turning over as quickly as they used to be when you were younger. So, don’t go looking at yourself in the mirror after one week of using your skincare product.
That said, are there products that can show results in 7 days? Yes! But those products usually contain steroids or mercury. Steroids thin the skin after prolonged use, and mercury is toxic.
Pigment Lighteners: how long they take to show improvement/work
Tretinoin 4 weeks
Hq 4-8% 1-3 months
Azelaic acid 20% 1-3 months
4% HQ and tretinoin 4-12 weeks
Azelaic acid 20% and glycolic acid 12 weeks
Kojic acid 12 weeks
Alpha arbutin 12 weeks
Kojic acid, arbutin and glycolic acid 4 weeks
Tranexamic acid 4-12 weeks
AHAs 12 weeks
Vitamin c (if you get a good one) 3- 2 months
Niacinamide (I honestly don’t rely on this alone to treat my hyperpigmentation unless it’s been combined with vitamin c, kojic acid, aha, or retinoid) 8-12 weeks
Combination (topicals and laser or peel): 6-8 weeks (favorite method for stubborn spots, also more cost-effective than relying on treatments alone)
Chemical peel (depending on the depth of the peel) after 3- 6 treatments (cosmelan)
Laser (picosure): After 3-4 treatments (These treatments are spaced about by at least 2 to 4 weeks, or sometimes as long as 8 weeks if you have sensitive skin or a darker complexion).
Influencing Factors
How deep the hyperpigmentation is (when it comes to the seriousness of hyperpigmentation, there are two types: epidermal and dermal pigmentation)
Consistency
Skin types/genes
Your average daily sun exposure
Question
Be honest, how long do you give your skincare products before you start losing hope?
Recommended post: 4 Best Ways to Remove Scars from Legs Fast https://bit.ly/2UWo1yt
Well, Yes! But there are things you need to know and do in order to see results.
Such as:
The depth and concentration of the peels
How many do you need to get?
The best for your skin of color and skin type
The best for your skin concern
Chemical peels have been used and are still being used to treat skin conditions such as acne, acne scars, general scars, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, rough skin texture, large pores, aging skin, dull skin, the list goes on. But if you don’t know which ones to use or how many times you need to use them, you may end up not getting the results you desire. The goal of this post is to help you see how to effectively use chemical peels to achieve your dream skin.
Before we get into the main gist of today’s post, let’s quickly touch on when you need a chemical peel, and when you don’t.
You need chemical peel If you have:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Acne/acne scars
Skin pigmentation concerns
Skin texture concerns
When don’t you need chemical peel?
You don’t need a chemical peel if you have:
Active cold sores
Open lesions
Pregnancy
Lactation
Untreated diabetes
Any burn (sunburn, chemical burn, etc)
Any recent facial surgery
If you’ve used Accutane within the last 6 months
Now to the first main point.
What are the different depths and types of peels?
There are three different depths of chemical peels namely, light, medium, and deep chemical peels.
Light chemical peels remove the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). This provides subtle improvement over time and is often done in a series.
A medium chemical peel will remove the outer layer (epidermis), as well as the upper part of the middle layer of the skin (the dermis). This gives your skin a smooth, fresh look.
While deep peels go deeper to the lower part of my dermis (the second layer of your skin) and remove skin cells. This typically produces the most dramatic results.
Examples:
Glycolic acid 10-50%, lactic acid 10-30%, mandelic acid 40%, salicylic acid 30%, and Jessner’s peel are classified as light chemical peels
Glycolic acid 70%, salicylic acid over 30%, TCA 30-50% are classified as medium-strength peels
Lastly, TCA peels over 50% and Phenol peels are classified as medium strength peels.
Phenol peels are not even available over the counter, and they require a board-certified physician to administer them-I believe.
How many times do you need to get a chemical peel done before you see significant results?
For superficial peels, you need to get them done several every 3 to 4 weeks for a total of four to six treatments. Medium depth peels would need to be conducted on a monthly basis for a total of 2-4 treatments. For deeper peels, one treatment is enough to see significant results.
What are the best peels for each skin color and type?
If you are darker skinned you can or have really dry skin, or sensitive skin your skin could benefit from gentle peels like lactic acid or mandelic acid. If you have acne-prone skin or oily, salicylic acid peel, or Jessner’s peel are worth considering. Glycolic acid is great for all skin types.
What is the best chemical peel for your skin issue?
If you have hyperpigmentation cosmelan peel, TCA peels, aha peels or vi peels are great at targeting hyperpigmentation, When it comes to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, TCA peel, glycolic acid, and Mandelic acid peel, are all excellent options. If you struggle with acne scars, an AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid) or TCA peel is actually able to lighten the appearance of blemish scarring when new skin is formed. If you are trying to improve the appearance of large pores, mandelic acid is a good option.
Intimate area hyperpigmentation is such a sensitive topic. We have all these skin issues yet it feels like we can’t ask about them openly. My name is Rita, and in this article, I’m going to show you how to get rid of pimple scars on the buttocks. I’ll be drawing on my experience and what I learned from my dermatologist. If you have other forms of discoloration you can apply these steps as well.
We will cover:
The three treatment levels
When to expect results
Things to know to speed up your results
How to cover and camouflage pimple scars on your buttocks/ hyperpigmentation in less than 10 minutes without transfer.
I’ve divided the treatment into three steps. This is so it’s not too intimidating or overwhelming, especially for newbies.
Beginner – Kojic acid and an exfoliating lotion
At the beginner level, all you would need is a kojic acid soap and an exfoliating lotion. When you go to take a shower, use the soap on the affected area and leave it on for about 30-60 seconds or even up to 3 or 4 minutes. While you work on other parts of your body and then rinse off. After your shower, pat your skin dry then apply your exfoliating lotion on the area.
Intermediate – Retinoid and a tyrosinase inhibitor
At the intermediate level, you would need tretinoin or a retinoid. I say tretinoin because that’s what I use and that’s what’s been the most effective. And a tyrosinase inhibitor. I use the azelaic acid 20% cream or Cyspera (aka cysteamine cream). You are to use the tyrosinase inhibitors twice daily, while you use tretinoin once a day- at nighttime.
Advanced – Chemical peel or pico laser
The advanced level is great for anyone who really wants extra fast results and has the means to back it up. Here, you would need a chemical peel or the pico laser treatment. Usually, you would still be put on a retinoid or exfoliants and/or tyrosinase inhibitors, but the chemical peels or the laser treatment will make your results come about 10 times faster.
Things to know to speed up your results
After you apply your lotions on your skin, give it some time before you put on your clothes
Do this twice a day (advanced treatments are exempt). Consistency is key.
When to expect results
If you’ve been consistent then after 4 weeks, you should see some improvement. Although results will vary from level to level. Someone who has gone the advanced route will obviously see more improvement than one who has only completed the beginner requirements.
How to cover up and camouflage your pimple scars in less than 10 minutes without transfer
This is a great way to give yourself peace of mind and not rush things. Here you would need body makeup. Sally Hansen has one that gives medium coverage and doesn’t transfer-It lasts all day. It’s called the Sally Hansen airbrush legs. The brand Dermablend has one that gives you full coverage. If you set it well, it will not transfer. That said, I suggest you do a few tests before you wear it out. This would give you an idea of what to expect, and you can prepare yourself for it. It’s called the dermablend legs and body makeup.
Hi everyone, my name is Rita, and today we will be talking about kojic acid-specifically kojic acid soap. Before we get into that, let’s look at what kojic acid is and what it does.
Kojic acid works by inhibiting the formation of tyrosine. Tyrosine is an amino acid needed to produce melanin. Because it prevents the production of melanin, kojic acid causes the skin to lighten. As a result, it is often used to treat hyperpigmentation, sun damage, age spots, and scars.
Does kojic acid come in other forms, or is it just the soap form? No, Kojic acid comes in different forms, including lotions, creams, serums, peels, and soaps.
L I N K (S)
▶ https://amzn.to/2Qog3fn
▶ https://bit.ly/3hvYTHS Guys, please leave authentic links in the comment section below so I can add them here. Thank you!
Today, we’ll be discussing the kojic acid soap; I genuinely appreciate how fast-acting, as well as how accessible it is. A brand that I’ve used for a while now is Kojie San, and we’ll be using it for our demo in today’s video.
In this segment, we’ll be looking at using kojic acid soap, how often to use it, where to use the soap, its side effects, things to know about it, and when to expect results.
1. How to use kojic acid soap? Wet the soap and work it into a lather, then apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for about 30 seconds, and wash off. Some have said that this soap can be left on for as long as 4 minutes, but remember that this soap has a very high irritation potential, so don’t leave it on for long.
2. How often should you use the soap? First, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to do a patch test to see how your skin reacts. Then you can start using it every other day. Some people can use it every day with no issues; other people’s skin can even tolerate it twice a day. If you use retinoids, your skin may have trouble handling them every day.
3. Where to use the soap? It can generally be used anywhere you have hyperpigmentation: Face, Body, Elbows, Knees, thighs..etc..
4. Side effects? Redness, irritation, itchiness, or pain and discomfort. When you experience these, you should stop use. I know that I’ve overused it, and I take a break.
5. Things you need to know? *Kojic acid soap, especially this one by Kojie San, tends to dissolve quickly in water, so cut it into pieces; otherwise, it’s going to last you about two days.*Kojic acid soap can be very drying for some, so moisture up. Unlike the many actives that pregnant women are prohibited from using, kojic acid is safe for expecting and nursing mothers.
6. When to expect results? All things being equal, and if you’ve been using the soap consistently, you’ll likely start to see results within two-four weeks. For faster results, combine with glycolic acid.
S O U R C E S
Adams, C. (2020, October 29). Less Is More: How to Use Kojic Acid, the Hyperpigmentation Eraser. Greatist. https://greatist.com/health/kojic-acid
Gotter, A. (2017, August 17). Kojic Acid. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/kojic-acid
Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. (2012). Opinion on kojic acid. ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_098.pdf
Lajis AF, et al. (2012). Depigmenting effect of kojic acid esters in hyperpigmented B16F1 melanoma cells.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2012/952452
Burnett CL, et al. (2010). Final report of the safety assessment of kojic acid as used in cosmetics. DOI:10.1177/1091581810385956
Garcia A, Fulton JE Jr. The combination of glycolic acid and hydroquinone or kojic acid for the treatment of melasma and related conditions. Dermatol Surg. 1996 May;22(5):443-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1996.tb00345.x. PMID: 8634807.
Disclaimer: All content on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professionals.
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