Oct 1, 2005 6:04 pm US/Central
Popularity Of Skin Whitening Products Soars
by Terri Gruca
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
Whether you love to catch rays or just enjoy the outdoors, it used to be that sun-kissed skin was in.
But some market researches say the tides have turned and consumers are now looking to lighten up.
"The skin whitening products have really made their way to the states," market researcher Lynn Dornblaser said.
Dornblaser, of Mintel Market Research, said this trend won't fade like the summer sun. There's a boom in the number of lotions, gels and serums that promise to even out pigment and clear up those dark patches caused by sun exposure, pregnancy and birth control pills.
"For the most part, the products we see are for the face, but we do see some that are for the neck and chest and hands," Dornblaser said.
Some brighteners are prescription-only and some are for sale over-the-counter at cosmetics stores like Sephora.
"The generation gap is wide between the people that are coming in," said Jared Kassof of Sephora. "It can be people anywhere from 25 up to women that are definitely 55 or 60."
Nancy Herman said spending time in the sun not only damaged her skin, but also her self image.
"I put concealer on my face and makeup every time I wanted to leave the house," Herman said.
Now, she applies a prescription skin whitener twice a day.
"Your skin really has a nice glow and a nice, even coloration," Dermatologist Diane Walder said.
Walder said the most effective whiteners contain Hydroquinone, a product that interferes with the production of melanin.
Melanin produces color in skin, so products that have more Hydroquinone produce the most dramatic results.
"Usually the over-the-counter products are two percent," Walden said. "The prescription products usually start at four percent."
Some lotions have peeling agents and vitamins for an added boost. Walden said she prescribes these lotions daily, even to employees like Susan Arnold who used to suffer from splotchy skin.
"I see people that I used to work with that see me and they think I had my whole face lasered," she said.
But don't expect results overnight.
"Sometimes, at the beginning of the treatment, you may get some flaking, some itching and some redness," Arnold said.
Doctors we talked to said over-the-counter whiteners are safe and work well if you have light splotching on your skin.
"You'll see the most dramatic results usually in eight to 12 weeks," Walden said.
If your trouble spots are serious, a prescription might be a better choice.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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