Can whitening products remove sun spots?

The effect is very limited.

Sun spots are caused by skin pigmentation due to ultraviolet radiation, forming black or brown spots, which are medically called solar lentigo or solar lentigo. Although some whitening products on the market claim to remove various spots including sun spots, in fact, their effects on sun spots are often limited and incomplete.

In fact, there are many types of whitening products, and the main ingredients include vitamin C, niacinamide and arbutin. These ingredients mainly achieve whitening effects by inhibiting melanin production or accelerating melanin metabolism. However, the effects of these ingredients are relatively mild and have limited effects on existing sun spots. Whitening products may be helpful in preventing the formation of new sun spots, but to completely remove existing sun spots, more professional treatments are usually required.

In addition, long-term use of whitening products may cause other adverse effects on the skin, such as impaired skin barrier function, irritation, sensitivity, etc. Therefore, when considering the use of whitening products, you should pay more attention to its safety and whether it is suitable for your skin type.

As for the professional treatments mentioned above, they include laser therapy, photorejuvenation (intense pulsed light), etc. These methods use more powerful means to destroy melanin, so that the skin gradually restores a uniform skin color. These methods are relatively effective, but they need to be performed under the guidance of a professional doctor.

In addition, the key to preventing sunburn is sun protection. Regardless of what whitening products or treatments are used, daily sun protection is an important measure to maintain skin health and avoid sunburn. Specifically, using broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing a sun hat, and avoiding overexposure are all effective sun protection methods.

Author: Tang Jiaoqing, MD, attending physician of dermatology

Review | Feng Jun, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital