photo credit: dno1967b

Certain zones or areas of unusually high pigmentation such as birthmarks and moles may be evened out to match to the surrounding skin. The same is true with the opposite, such as the presence of vitiligo, wherein unaffected skin may be bleached to attain a more even appearance. Michael Jackson claimed of having vitiligo which prompted him to undergo a change in skin tone to achieve a more matching appearance. There is also the case of having darker pigmentation in the genital and perianal area which is typically addressed through genital or anal bleaching. Uneven pigmentation can be very upsetting for most people. Skin may either appear lighter or darker than normal, may show blotches in some areas, or have patches of brown which make the skin uneven.

To date, skin bleaching products are available in different forms such as topical creams, lotions, pills or soaps. Permanent whitening is usually achieved by breaking down melanin found in the skin. Melanin is the pigment produced by melanocyte cells. It is activated by an enzyme called tyrosinase, which gives us the color of our skin, eyes, and hair. Also, the presence of sunscreen in these products help to prevent further sun damage to the skin.
Having tried over the counter creams, homemade skin whitening remedies, or even prescription drugs, and nothing among all of this works, people become desperate and may resort to skin bleaching surgery. Skin bleaching surgery may sound intimidating and scary, but in reality, they are not. The most common procedures are non-invasive. this would mean that no incisions or any penetration to the body will be needed in the procedure. As a matter of fact, most skin bleaching procedures can be done on an outpatient basis. This treatment can be done anytime that is most convenient for the patient. There is literally no recovery time for skin bleaching surgery. Patients do not have to worry over time lost from work, family and friends.

Laser peels

There are two types of skin bleaching surgery. The first one are laser peels or laser skin resurfacing. These are often executed by a licensed dermatologists or a cosmetic surgeon. This procedure is the removal of the top layers of the skin through the use of focused laser light energy. These are normally performed using a carbon dioxide laser. Laser peels may also penetrate into deeper layers of skin for more benefits. This treatment basically helps in making the skin look and feel smoother, tighter, and more even in color.

Cryosurgery

Another type of skin bleaching surgery is cyrosurgery. Freezing of the affected area using liquid nitrogen is done in this procedure. This is basically done to destroy undersirable tissues so new sets of tissues can form.
Both types of skin bleaching surgery are considered safe and effective for the correction of uneven skin tones to reveal a whiter and clearer complexion. These treatments are usually sought of after all other methods have failed. No matter which kind of skin bleaching technique you choose, always remember that side effects are inevitable and precautions have to be considered.