Believe it or not, nearly every person has dealt with some form of hyperpigmentation (yes even you). Remember those dark spots left over from old pimples in your teenage years? Well, that's hyperpigmentation. Even freckles and sun damage are considered hyperpigmentation. Essentially, any area of the skin that's darker than your natural tone is the result of excessive pigment formation. Simply put, the color in our skin comes from a pigment called melanin. Melanin is formed inside our skin and is created to protect our body from the damaging UV rays of the sun. When too much melanin is formed in a localized area (resulting in a dark spot or patch), we refer to it as hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin problem which can take on many different forms. Essentially, any dark colored area of the skin can be considered hyperpigmentation – age spots, acne scars, melasma, uneven skin tone, sun damage, etc. The cause of the pigmentation can also vary between individuals. In many cases, the sun is responsible – as the damaging UV rays stimulate melanin production in the skin. Sometimes the cause is internal – hormone changes, acne, etc. And in other cases, the cause is something external like a chemical burn or surgical scar. Though they usually pose no harm to your health, these pigmentation problems can be very discouraging, especially when they occur on the face!

For this reason, many people seek out skin lightening creams to help lighten these dark pigmented areas. In the past, the most common treatment was hydroquinone – a synthetic skin lightening ingredient available in both over-the-counter "fade creams" and prescription based skin bleaching creams. However, thanks to modern advancements, there are many new alternatives available on the market today.

Hydroquinone, a chemical used in photo processing, is a common skin lightening ingredient used throughout the world. It is a melanin inhibitor which is also known to be cytotoxic when used at high concentrations. Due to health concerns, some countries have banned this ingredient completely. In the USA, it is still available at 2% concentrations in over-the-counter formulations and up to 4% (and in some cases even 10%) by prescription. The FDA currently is considering a ban on all over-the-counter hydroquinone products in the USA due to safety issues. For this reason, many people choose to use alternatives to hydroquinone and consequently, cosmetic manufacturers have responded by introducing new ingredients which mimic its skin lightening properties but without the harmful side effects. Some of the more popular alternatives included kojic acid, arbutin, vitamin C, and AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids).

One of the more popular products on the market is the Meladerm Pigment Reducing Complex (that's a mouthful!) by Civant Skincare. The Meladerm formulation combines many of the most effective skin lightening ingredients into one cream. Some of the key actives include Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, licorice extract and lactic acid just to name a few. These ingredients work together synergistically to inhibit melanin production in hyperpigmented spots. The product also contains advanced liposomes which allow the ingredients to penetrate far into the skin. This effectively can reduce hyperpigmentation in a large number of cases without the use of hydroquinone. For most people, initial results with Meladerm are seen very quickly within just a few weeks – with more significant results after approximately 2-3 months of regular use. From the numerous positive testimonials posted on the internet, it is clear that the Civant company did their homework when creating the Meladerm formula.

Meladerm is just one of the many options available to consumers. There are literally hundreds of different skins lightening products available both online and in local stores. In fact, nearly every major cosmetic company carries its own line of skin lightening creams. In some countries, skin lighteners are also used to "brighten" or "whiten" the entire face. In the USA however, most people use these products to treat dark discolorations, spots or uneven skin tone. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that these skin lighteners are in much demand. Though hydroquinone was an effective solution for hyperpigmentation, it's now a thing of the past. Most people are interested in more natural alternatives, and with products like Meladerm, it is clear that the manufacturers are catering to the consumer's needs.