Almost anyone under the sun can be prone to hyperpigmentation, you know the spots, those dark patches of skin formed from the over production of melanin.
Anything from hormonal changes to skin inflammation, adverse reactions to facial peels and other chemicals can cause hyperpigmentation.  Hyperpigmentation ranks as a legitimate and growing concern in African American skin care.

In the past, chemical ingredients like hydroquinone and mercury chloride were used to lighten dark spots but side effects such as tissue death and possible cancer risks have led manufacturers to create safer alternatives.

Today more natural and plant based ingredients are used in treating hyperpigmentation. Some times when you mix three natural ingredients, the results can be better than on chemical agent.

Shining a Light on African American Skin
Although a flawless, even toned complexion may seem like a universally desirable trait, skin brightening isn’t always the answer for your skin.
Medications, ingredients like Vitamin A, harsh exfoliating agents and salicylic acid can cause serious problems for skin of color.

Natural ingredients like bearberry, lavender, rosemary, licorice, azealic acid and mulberry extracts work well in this arena of lightening and brightening your skin.

What Is Your Perception of Beauty and The Brightening of Your Black Skin?

Why is it that as African American’s we’re so obsessed with the color of our skin?  Could it be that your cultural and environmental influence play an important role in your thinking about skin color.

Many ancient cultures revered fair skin for  its implication of status.  Field workers were always darker while aristocracy stayed out of the sun, constantly applying some type of concoction to keep their complexion lighter.

In a 16th century text, Native South American Indian women of Santo Domingo endured painful botanical treatments to “bleach” their skin.  Why did they do this?  Their objective was to be found more attractive by the conquistadors.

In most black and multi-ethnic societies, you’ve been taught, the lighter your skin the better your socioeconomic opportunities.
Skin lightening creams account for almost half of all products sold in India.  In Nigeria, the women there are rapidly moving away from the fuller-figured body in favor of a thinner more fair skinned woman.

The Senegalese woman has been considered the prime example of natural African beauty.  Now they are wearing a full face of makeup, powder, eyeliner and eye shadow.

With Ethnic Skin, Is Your Beauty Only Skin Deep?

Beauty and the idea of beauty is ever evolving. It’s impossible to clearly define ethnic beauty because you’re free to embrace or ignore the aesthetic ideals of your culture.
Most of you want to lighten or even out your skin tone because you’ve been taught that your black is not beautiful.

Everything related to lightening your skin tone or evening out your skin tone can be achieved from the foods you eat. The health of your skin begins in the health of the cells in your body. This is where you find the bright spot in hyperpigmentation.

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care