To my knowledge there are no safe procedures to significantly and evenly lighten dark skin to a lighter shade. Very deep laser treatment can remove pigmentation but the result can be uneven color (like vitiligo), possibly deep scarring and a very noticeable demarcation line on the neck where the dark skin would begin again.
The best treatment to lighten skin color is the use of a skin bleach cream such as Hydroquinone 4% which is a prescription drug. Sun block and sun avoidance is also important. Microdermabrasion® treatments can help remove any blotchy hyperpigmentation and can improve the penetration of the Hydroquinone.
Why give up your dark skin-with darker skin you wont age as much and are much less likely to develop wrinkles!
I hope this helps. For further information read Save Your Face or contact me.
Sincerely,
Dr Seckel

Boston, Massachusetts

Sun exposure definitely increases the risk for Melanoma, especially in people who have a family history of melanoma.

Sun block is crucial and sun avoidance is very important especially for your children.

The best sun blocks today also contain the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E. Studies have shown that these vitamins triple the effectiveness of sun block.
Check the back of the bottle of any sun block and make sure the block contains these vitamins.

You asked about a sun block made by La Roche Pussay. I have checked the company’s sun blocks and although they make excellent sun blocks I could find none that contain Vitamins A, C, and E.

One block that contains these Vitamins A, C, and E is Ultra Sheer Sunscreen with AO 7 by Coppertone. This block is hypoallergenic and has an SPF of 45.

Sun block alone is not enough for a person with a history or family history of Melanoma.

In Australia where Melanoma is very common people teach their children a saying: “Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap” – which means slip on a shirt, slop on sun block, slap on a hat, ands wrap around sunglasses.

Sun avoidance is very important especially for your children. 80% of sun exposure occurs during childhood and the effects on the skin are cumulative.

Current recommendations are that your children wear clothing such as a rash guard or wet suit when out in the sun.

I recommend you read chapter 4 ” How to prevent facial aging” in my book Save Your Face for a detailed discussion on sun avoidance.

Thank you for this important question. Visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice or read Save Your Face.

Dr Seckel

Boston, Massachusetts

Peabody, Massachusetts

Thank you for the email!

The alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid are excellent skin rejuvenation, anti-aging skin products for age management and wrinkle removal, and I use them on everyone. I would keep using the one you use as a non-surgical facial rejuvenation program.

The tretinoins-RetinA and Tazarotine are a bit more powerful skin exfoliation and skin rejuvenation agents, migrate into the dermis and stimulate new collagen, but are irritating and less well tolerated by patients although they are more powerful for wrinkle removal.

Vitamin C serum is also excellent and well tolerated by people with sensitive skin and can be used in conjunction with the glycolic acid products for effetcive skin rejuvenation.

I would stay with what you are using. You can try to add a vitamin C serum (L form) to your daily regimen. VitaminC, E, and A should also be in your sun block-they triple the effectiveness of sun block Sun block, a heal;thy lifestyle and a healthy diet are essential to any non-surgical facial rejuvenation program.

The only reason to change to a tretinoin would be if you have had precancerous lesions such as Actinic Keratoses on your facial skin, as the tretinoin’s powerful skin exfoliation effect and promotion of new epithelial cell growth are beneficial under these circumstances. Under these circumstances I would of course recommend that you were under the care of a board certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon.

For more information contact me or read Save Your Face.

Dr Seckel

Boston, Massachusetts

The alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid are excellent anti-aging skin products and I use them on everyone for skin rejuvenation, skin exfoliation, and wrinkle removal. I would keep using the one you use.

The tretinoins-RetinA and Tazarotine are a bit more powerful skin rejuvenation creams, provide deeper skin exfoliation, migrate into the dermis and stimulate new collagen, but are irritating and less well tolerated by patients.

Vitamin C serum is also excellent and well tolerated by people with sensitive skin and can be used in conjunction with the glycolic acid products.

I would stay with what you are using. You can try to add a vitamin C serum (L form) to your daily regimen. Vitamin C, E, and A should also be in your sun block-they triple the effectiveness of sun block

The only reason to change to a tretinoin would be if you have had precancerous lesions such as Actinic Keratoses on your facial skin, as the tretinoin’s powerful skin exfoliation effect and promotion of new epithelial cell growth are beneficial under these circumstances. Under these circumstances I would of course recommend that you were under the care of a board certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon.

To learn more about prevention of facial aging and skin rejuvenation visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice, contact me or read Save Your Face.

Dr Seckel

Boston, Massachusetts

Peabody, Massachusetts

Thank you for your very important question.

Renova® contains tretinoin, the most effective anti-aging, skin rejuvenation,and wrinkle removal skin cream on the market today. Keep using it! Tretinoin, the active ingredient in Renova®, has been for many years the only skin rejuvenation and anti-skin aging topical cream approved by the FDA which has been shown to be effective for wrinkle removal.

Many published scientific studies have proven that tretinoin stimulates the growth of healthy new skin cells and helps the skin form new collagen which helps rejuvenate the skin and remove fine lines and wrinkles.

StriVectin is a new cream which is supposed to remove wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin by a completely different mechanism. Unfortunately I have been unable to find well documented studies in the scientific literature proving its effectiveness for wrinkle removal and skin rejuvenation. Furthermore, the feedback I have received from my patients and other plastic surgeon colleagues who have chosen to use Strivectin on their own is that they have been disappointed with the results.

Don’t stop using a proven, effective skin care cream-Renova® or retin A for skin rejuvenation and wrinkle removal.

For further questions  visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice orcontact me or read Save Your Face.

Dr. Seckel

Boston, Massachusetts

Peabody, Massachusetts