- Most bleaching cream on the market contain hydroquinone. This is a chemical bleaching agent that is effective in fading skin discolorations. Other ingredients in bleaching creams are glycolic acid and kojic acid, both of which are natural acids.Look for creams and lotions that contain these ingredients. Other names for bleaching creams are skin whiteners, skin lighteners and fade creams.
- One natural way to fade acne discolorations is with lemon juice. As a folk remedy, lemon juice has often been suggested to fade freckles and age spots. Lemons contain citric acid which, when applied to the skin, can gently exfoliate the skin and fade the discolorations over a period of time. Other products with citric acid you can try are grapefruit juice and lime juice. Apply the lemon juice to the acne discolorations a few times each day until improvement is seen.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a known bleaching agent used as an ingredient in beauty products and for industrial purposes. Peroxide is used to dye hair, whiten teeth and bleach paper. The hydrogen peroxide sold in drugstores is a mild solution of only 3 to 3.5 percent. This amount is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on the skin. For best results apply the peroxide a few times each day.
- With chemical peels, an acid is applied to the skin discoloration. The acid burns off the top layer of the skin. For a few days the skin will ooze and then a scab forms. As the old skin peels away, the new skin growing underneath with be less discolored. Chemical peels can be done at home, at a salon or in a doctor's office. The chemicals used by the doctor are the strongest available and can give you the best results. But a few treatments may be needed. The downside is that chemical peels done by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon are expensive. For at-home use a you can buy glycolic acid or lactic acid at an online beauty supply store. Salons also use these acids but in slightly stronger concentrations. Salon prices for a chemical peel vary widely.
