Have you been struggling with skin lightening products to deal with dark spots and blemishes for so long without much success? Are there reliable ways? How do black celebrities lighten their skin? Read on to learn more about the various procedures for skin whitening, before and after treatment looks including costs and permanent solutions.
Meaning?
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Skin lightening surgery refers to a depigmentation procedure or system which aims at achieving a lighter tone or whitening dark complexion by reducing melanin amounts produced.
There are a number of ways through which this can be achieved and they include laser, cosmetic and bleaching or plastic surgery procedures.
Alternatively, you can opt for non-surgical options such as synthetic or natural lightening products that may include whitening creams, soaps, and serums.
It is worthwhile to note that most of these whitening treatments work by blocking or diminishing the amount of melanin produced by target inhibition of tyrosinase.
Tyrosinase is a “copper-containing enzyme present in plant and animal tissues that catalyzes the production of melanin by oxidation” [en.wikipedia.org]. To whiten it, exfoliating agents in the form of chemical peels and other topical cosmetic and procedures like laser are incorporated to produce results wanted by clients.
Certain products such as bleaching and lightening creams for black skin may produce irregular results and normally take longer to give any noticeable results. However, clinics have modern equipment and can use special surgical techniques to produce better and even results. These are very expensive services though.
Consideration a whitening cosmetic surgery
Before you make a standpoint, there are certain important considerations to make and preliminary decisions to take. Below are some recommendations which clients should adhere to as far as lightening surgery is concerned.
See a dermatologist
The first and foremost consideration is to book an appointment with your trustworthy dermatologist in order to discuss a few things that concern your plans. The importance of this is to get a scope to help you set your expectations. All the information you provide would be vital for the dermatologist to determine the most appropriate person to refer you to for your purpose in mind.
Consult a plastic surgeon
Upon settling on your options, you may be required to visit a surgeon and let him know your treatment plan is cosmetic. The surgeon will help you conceptualize which of your wishes that are achievable. You also have an opportunity to learn more about various procedures by asking for clarification and questions. Details about processes involved, effects and costs will be dealt with. This means that you have to set a clear mind and have a positive thinking about this surgery.
Make a decision
Your surgeon should give you some time in order to decide a favorable option in case there are two or more of surgical lightening or whitening processes in the system. It will be upon your surgeon to determine the most appropriate procedure to go with worth your satisfaction.
Planning for recovery
After you have made a decision, your surgeon or dermatologist will help you on the way out on what products to use to aid your recovery in order to meet your desires and set goals. Always keep in mind that cosmetic surgery procedures are generally expensive but if your need is to get a whitened skin, it is worthwhile. If necessary, you will still need a few more appointments to correct minor effects like unevenness and other aftercare instructions or treatments.
Normal bleaching – creams, pills, and injections
As a type of cosmetic procedure, this type of bleaching can also be used to do away with discoloration caused by sunburn, hyperpigmentation and skin spots.
In so doing, chemical skin lightening injections, products or substance usually with anti-oxidizing property is given, a good example is Glutathione Skin Lightening IV Injection. This product should be administered by a registered nurse or doctor.
Skin bleaching doctors often advise you get the bleaching procedures done by approved dermatologists only. One of the biggest drawbacks of applying some lightening creams (lighteners) is it can lead to mercury poisoning particularly when done by individuals themselves and they use products containing mercury. According to Dr. Rinky Kapoor, mercury’s toxic effects can produce a huge health impact on brain functioning and kidney problems.
For black African Americans and people with naturally dark skin, this procedure would be of substance. Instead of going for a localized procedure, it is kind of benefit if individuals go for full body bleaching. One of the interesting thing about a full body whitening or bleaching is it does not leave shades of uneven skin tones. That is to say, it ensures a uniform reduction in melanin on whole of your body.
Another thing to consider is bleaching cost which is not comparable to the temporary ones such as facial bleaching using creams.
Laser skin lightening treatment procedures, before and after and costs
This is also another cosmetic lightening procedure. Laser treatments can either be categorized as non-surgical or abrasive depending on the techniques applied to attain a skin fairness or evenness of color tone.
One, if a client fits or opts for non-surgical (non-ablative) method, then a technique known as laser skin rejuvenation is done. Examples of these techniques include Q switch laser or Q switch Nd: YAG laser with the latter being more effective. Note that some dermatologists recommend that this procedure is done on a small area due to a painful experience and discomfort during and after the procedure.
Secondly, in case if the procedure is surgical, skin resurfacing treatment such as a CO2 laser, pixel CO2 laser, and ultra-pulse fractional CO2 laser. Most of these surgical techniques require deeper penetration of the skin layer. The importance of choosing a quality and effective laser whitening is its ability to restructure collagen or remove reticular dermis.
Some procedures are limited to the epidermis hence a medium resurfacing can be achieved. Depending on your skin problem, a typical resurfacing can take up to 5 hours in a single sitting.
Common problems tackled include:
- Lightening naturally dark skin,
- Removal of dark spots due to photo-aging (age spots on face) effect particularly on the face and sun-exposed areas,
- Imperfections caused by melanin, injury, etc.
These techniques are costly and require a good financial planning. One of the most of the advanced technology of laser lightening is available in Nashik.
Permanent skin whitening and Lightening costs in USA, UK & India
Can I get a permanent skin lightening surgery procedure to get rid of freckles and scars after acne permanently? Is it costly to have a full body permanent whitening? If you need to have long-lasting effects then a permanent procedure is what you may want to think about. Permanent procedures like laser are recommended for problems due to pigmentation including:
- Facial blemishes,
- Dark spots due to photo-aging,
- Excessive pigmentation,
Undoubtedly, most permanent procedures are extremely expensive because such processes require great professional expertise. In fact, all permanent procedures are only done by dermatologists or at surgeon’s clinics. As it were, you should make an appointment with your doctor and discuss all matters concerning costs, your expectations during and after treatment.
One of the ways in which this can be achieved is by melanin reduction surgery that uses laser techniques. The other is bleaching surgery.
Note that a permanent bleaching or lightening is appropriate in dealing with skin problems such as dark and uneven skin tone, scar removal, brown spots and dark spots that are notoriously resistant to topical treatment methods.
Unfortunately, many of these procedures may not be available to many people. First, they are not affordable. Secondly, safety guaranteed services are mostly offered in developed countries whose capacity to produce or hire professionals is higher.
Costs
Generally, costs may vary with geographic region (i.e. from country to another). For instance, in the United Kingdom UK, a localized cosmetic surgery may cost up to 400 pounds or more. For your information, if you want to have a full body cosmetic skin whitening or lightening, its cost is not less than 3000 US dollars. The similar cost applies whether you are in India or UK.
For those in the Philippines, one of the renowned medical centers is Beverly Hills Medical Group which is a US based
Full body skin lightening plastic surgery
Is it possible to get a full body skin lightening surgery? Yes. This option comes with many advantages but it is costly and you may require an insurer to covers it. The most important advantage is getting a fairly permanent skin whitening and evenness in skin tone. Other benefits are getting rid of dark spots on legs and arms, removal of face freckles, dark spots armpits, vitiligo among many other pigmentation disorders.
However, depending on the technique used, status of clinic and location, expect to spend nothing less than $3000.
Aftercare treatment
Your treatment plan should also cater for adequate and timely recovery. After undergoing any procedures to lighten skin, it is very important to follow instructions given by your dermatologist and surgery team. This is especially crucial in determining how long healing is likely to take besides the procedure you had gone for.
Some of the maintenance products, aftercare and treatments may vary from one skin type to another. It may also depend on the kind of treatment you undergo. However, a majority of these treatments comprise use of mixtures of gels and topical lotions.
Remember that your surgical doctor should give adequate instructions on the use of any product. Note: melanin-inhibiting sunscreen should be part of daily treatment because it helps block sunlight that would otherwise influence skin pigmentation even after whitening procedures.
Cosmetic surgery vs. topical skin lightening and reviews
From one of the audio-visual clip adapted from Chennai Plastic Surgery CPS which tries to explain why clinical based treatments for skin whitening are recommended. You will get top names of dermatologists and surgical doctors like Dr. Nilayini and Dr. Kapoor from Mumbai, India.
In the USA, the credibility of cosmetic treatment procedures to lighten skin are supported by top consultant dermatologists’ recommendations and customer reviews in various cities such as New York, Los Angeles CA and Mumbai. Here is a sample review of a client in Danville, CA, after consultation and treatment.
“Saw her on Kron4 during the morning news. I’m so pleased with Elite MD. Dr. Sonia is amazing. I’ve had horrible acne and scarring for 9 years and started to become annoyed with constant breakouts and having to wear makeup. So after watching the news one day, I saw Dr. Sonia on Kron4 and decided to set up an appointment. …three months and I look 70% better. I can walk out of the house without putting my mask on. Thanks, Dr. Sonia you’re the greatest!”
Quoted source: https://www.realself.com/find/California/Danville/Dermatologist/Sonia-Badreshia-Bansal.
Before and after looks on people and celebrities
Side effects
It is worth it being aware of side effects of cosmetic surgery procedures for lightening and improving the appearance of your skin tone. If your decision is to go for an intense treatment then rest assured, you should be well prepared for consequences. The following are common side effects of any cosmetic skin surgery.
1. Discomforts
One of the common side effects that most patients complain about is a painful experience during and after such procedures like a laser. It is also reported that patients usually experience reddening of skin and swelling. Some patients say that these effects tend to last longer than they had anticipated.
2. Pigmentation and skin color problems
Another likely setup from is increased melanin production that will darken the skin, even more, leading to hyperpigmentation. The main reason as to why this occurs is the fact that laser disrupts the structure of cells hence causing damage to melanocyte cells. Although rare, sometimes hypopigmentation can result.
3. Crusting
Crusting can also result if lightening procedure is done beyond the normal procedure. After the lightening procedure, your skin may start to form blisters. Moreover, if no special attention is given, crusts will start appearing after some time even as healing takes the course.
4. Sensitivity
Skin sensitivity to sunlight can develop since cells that produce melanin are structurally disturbed. Allowing it to be exposed to direct sunlight is therefore discouraged even after healing.
Due to complications, many dark-skinned Africans and African Americans may not attain a very light tone. This is because the cosmetic effect to reduce the thick layer of melanin under their skin results in some fairness.
Reference List
- http://www.cosmeticsurgerynasik.com/chapter4_3.php
- http://www.etopical.com/skin-lightening-surgery-cost-before-after-permanent/#permanent_skin_lightening_surgery
- http://www.rinkykapoor.com/skin-lightening-skin-whitening-treatment-mumbai/
- https://www.realself.com/find/Florida/Miami/Skin-Lightening.