Homemade Skin Whitening Treatment

Whitening your skin at home is a cheap and safe way to get the results you want. Whether you are trying to fade scars, freckles, age spots or skin discolorations, home remedies are easy to find and use. Skin whitening really doesn't involve whiten the skin. Instead the process is lightening or bleaching dark or hyper-pigmented areas. These homemade remedies are effective for small areas, but the best skin lightening treatments are only available with an expensive visit to a doctor. Still homemade remedies can work in some cases.

Hydrogen Peroxide

• As bleach, hydrogen peroxide is used in hair color kits and in teeth whitening products. This substance is also used in the paper industry to bleach paper. But the peroxide available in drugstores is a low concentration, usually 3 percent to 3.5 percent. This percentage is safe for internal and external use with the body. Hydrogen peroxide loses it potency as soon as light hits it, which is why it is stored in dark brown bottles. To use hydrogen peroxide, simply pour a small amount on a cotton ball. Apply to all area of the skin you want to lighten. The hydrogen peroxide can be applied a few times each day.

Buttermilk

• Buttermilk is often recommended as a soothing cleanser because of its fat content and its lactic acid. Buttermilk is also a folk remedy for lightening the skin. The lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid. This natural acid exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin, dirt and excess oil. Once the top layer is removed, the skin renews itself. The new skin appears lighter in skin tone. Apply buttermilk with a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Glycolic Acid

• Glycolic acid is an ingredient used in many skin lotions these days, including those made for skin bleaching. But glycolic acid can be purchased alone from a beauty supply store. Alone, glycolic acid can be used as a chemical peel. It is a fruit acid so it is a natural product. Buy the lower concentration of the acid if you are new to chemical peels. A 15-percent to 35-percent concentration is a good start. Follow the directions very carefully. In most cases, you apply the glycolic acid to the discolored areas and leave on for just one minute. With the next application you can leave the acid on for two minutes. As your skin gets used to the acid, you can increase the amount of time the acid stays on the skin. After the peel, wash off with cleanser and warm water. After a few chemical peels, you should see a noticeable improvement in your skin tone.