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Can I Continue Using Skinlite Cream For Dark Complexion?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Sep 2014
Question: Hi my name is XXXXXXX I m 22 yr, hear doctor presently I m using skin lite cream from past 2 yrs, I have no other reactions. Before my skin was medium brown and had mild acne in face but after using skin lite my skin tone has changed alot. Now I came to know that skinlite has many side effects I want to stop using this cream but I can't stop using this cream, if I not use this cream regularly my skin going to be dark, Dr,please help me stop this cream & how can I stand up for my fairness???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Skinlite adverse effects

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to healthcare magic.

Skinlite is a cream containing hydorquinone and mometasone as 2 of its ingredients.
Hydroquione is a potent bleaching agent. It is well known to cause side effects like " rebound pigmentation" and " ochronosis". Rebound pigmentation, as is self explanatory is recurrence of pigmentation after prolonged use. Ochronosis is a less common side effect and occurs due to deposition of a brownish black pigment in the skin after prolonged use of hydroquinone. This is very difficult to get rid off once it develops.

Mometasone is a mid- potent steroid which should not be used on the face for more than 2-3 weeks and that too strictly under the supervision of a dermatologist. On prolonged use, it could cause thinning of skin, hypopigmentation ( which people mistake for " fairness"), acne like eruptions, sunlight sensitivity and rosacea.

Unfortunately, due to the craze of becoming fair in XXXXXXX many people abuse this cream.

Since you have used skinlite cream for 2 years, it is difficult to stop it abruptly. Your skin would have got used to the steroid component and stopping it will make the skin flaky, red and appear darker.

You could follow the follow the following suggestions-

1. Reduce its application gradually as follows- For first 2 weeks, apply for 2-3 hours in the evening on every alternate days and wash it off. Do not leave it overnight. After 2 weeks, reduce its application to 2-3 hours in the evening on only 2 days of the week like sunday and thursday. Do this for 4 weeks. After this, reduce it to only weekly application for 2-3 hours for another 4 weeks. Then stop it completely.

2. To maintain the skin lightening effect, you could use a good, broad spectrum sunscreen in the daytime. This is the most important product to maintain your complexion. Repeat sunscreen every 3-4 hours and also physically cover your face with a scarf or hold an umbrella while outdoors.

3. At bedtime, you could apply a cream containing 2% Kojic acid and Vitamin C regularly. This will not have steroid like side effects.

4. You could get glycolic acid based peels done by a dermatologist.

5. You could also take oral glutathione capsules under the supervision of a dermatologist. This is a potent anti-oxidant and is showing good results in improving skin tone.

Remember that your skin tone is determined at the time of your birth itself and it is decided by the concentration of melanocytes( pigment producing cells) and blood circulation. Therefore any treatment or procedures can never make you fairer than what you were at the time of birth.

But most of the people will acquire more pigmentation as age increases, we call it facultative pigmentation. Lot of factors determine it, most important being sunlight, others include dust, pollution, smoking, less hydration, intrinsic ageing and free radical damage, stress etc.

Treatments should be to bring your pigmented skin back to your normal skin tone and make the skin tone even all over the face.

Hope this helps you.

Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Johny Chacko (33 minutes later)
doctor u have suggested me to use the cream containing 2%kojic acid and vitamin c what is the trade name for this combination? At present i m using lashield sunscreen should i have to change it? should i continue to use deriva CMS for my acne?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Skinlite side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I am sorry for the delay in replying.

There are several brands of kojic acid available in the market like clearz plus, kojivit , etc. Please get it prescribed by your dermatologist.

You can continue to use LA shield sunscreen.

You could also continue deriva cms for acne. It is a good topical agent.

Hope this helps you.

Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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Answered by
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Dr. Johny Chacko

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1916 Questions

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Can I Continue Using Skinlite Cream For Dark Complexion?

Brief Answer: Skinlite adverse effects Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to healthcare magic. Skinlite is a cream containing hydorquinone and mometasone as 2 of its ingredients. Hydroquione is a potent bleaching agent. It is well known to cause side effects like " rebound pigmentation" and " ochronosis". Rebound pigmentation, as is self explanatory is recurrence of pigmentation after prolonged use. Ochronosis is a less common side effect and occurs due to deposition of a brownish black pigment in the skin after prolonged use of hydroquinone. This is very difficult to get rid off once it develops. Mometasone is a mid- potent steroid which should not be used on the face for more than 2-3 weeks and that too strictly under the supervision of a dermatologist. On prolonged use, it could cause thinning of skin, hypopigmentation ( which people mistake for " fairness"), acne like eruptions, sunlight sensitivity and rosacea. Unfortunately, due to the craze of becoming fair in XXXXXXX many people abuse this cream. Since you have used skinlite cream for 2 years, it is difficult to stop it abruptly. Your skin would have got used to the steroid component and stopping it will make the skin flaky, red and appear darker. You could follow the follow the following suggestions- 1. Reduce its application gradually as follows- For first 2 weeks, apply for 2-3 hours in the evening on every alternate days and wash it off. Do not leave it overnight. After 2 weeks, reduce its application to 2-3 hours in the evening on only 2 days of the week like sunday and thursday. Do this for 4 weeks. After this, reduce it to only weekly application for 2-3 hours for another 4 weeks. Then stop it completely. 2. To maintain the skin lightening effect, you could use a good, broad spectrum sunscreen in the daytime. This is the most important product to maintain your complexion. Repeat sunscreen every 3-4 hours and also physically cover your face with a scarf or hold an umbrella while outdoors. 3. At bedtime, you could apply a cream containing 2% Kojic acid and Vitamin C regularly. This will not have steroid like side effects. 4. You could get glycolic acid based peels done by a dermatologist. 5. You could also take oral glutathione capsules under the supervision of a dermatologist. This is a potent anti-oxidant and is showing good results in improving skin tone. Remember that your skin tone is determined at the time of your birth itself and it is decided by the concentration of melanocytes( pigment producing cells) and blood circulation. Therefore any treatment or procedures can never make you fairer than what you were at the time of birth. But most of the people will acquire more pigmentation as age increases, we call it facultative pigmentation. Lot of factors determine it, most important being sunlight, others include dust, pollution, smoking, less hydration, intrinsic ageing and free radical damage, stress etc. Treatments should be to bring your pigmented skin back to your normal skin tone and make the skin tone even all over the face. Hope this helps you. Take care. Regards, Dr. Johny Chacko