One of the best things about most of our products here at Platinum is how long they last. When used normally Fade Bright can last up to 3 months. Meaning you have the time to use it long enough to see results.

The skin color is determined by the interaction of different colorants. Indeed, the red staining agent of blood, hemoglobin, is responsible for reddish and bluish shades, while carotenoids are responsible for the basic yellow shade of skin. The brown coloration results from the pigments eumelanin and phaeomelanin, which are produced in special epidermal cells, the so-called melanocytes.

The enzyme tyrosinase, usually present in an inactive form, is formed in these melanocytes. Its activation by UV light triggers off melanogenesis, i.e. a complex series of enzymatic chemical reactions which finally lead to the formation of melanins. The efficient blocking of tyrosinase inhibits the reaction chain of melanogenesis. Today many developments target efficient and fast enzyme-blocking properties without any side effects.

ALPHA-ARBUTIN meets all the requirements of a modern skin-lightening and skin depigmentation product.

One thing that is VERY important to understand, is that melasma is a chronic condition and there is no cure! No matter what "miracle stories" you have heard on the internet, melasma will be a lifelong battle.

Melasma shows up as brown spots or splotches on the forehead, cheeks, jaw line or upper lip. It is essentially too much dark pigment. That pigment has been triggered by hormones and/or sun exposure. Melasma can appear when a woman’s hormones change, whether through pregnancy, oral contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy after menopause. Women of color are prone to melasma, but people of any skin type can get melasma. [1]

You will find that melasma is quite difficult to treat, and it can be a long process taking several months up to a year or more, to get a satisfying result. Most lasers do not work well with melasma and end up causing further discoloration. So, the best treatments for this are medium depth peels like a TCA 13% at 2-4 layers, mixed with retinol use and topical lightening products such as Fade Bright and antioxidants such as High Octane Vitamin C Seurm. Never forget a broad sunscreen with an SPF value of 40 or 50 every single day.

Diligently apply your UVA and UVB SPF daily as well. Every 4 hours is recommended if you have melasma and will be spending time outdoors. Likewise, grab (or purchase) a wide brimmed hat and wear that whenever possible. Platinum CEO Jennifer loves to wear one of her wide hats when she is out and about in the summer months. Not only will it protect your skin, but there are so many amazing ones out there you can match any outfit and look amazing!

“The bottom line for patients,” Dr. Reichel says, “is understanding that sunscreen alone — even those containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide — is not enough with melasma, and that even a brief exposure can set them back. They must have shade, so they need a broad-brimmed hat and protective clothing.” [2]

ALPHA-ARBUTIN is a pure, water-soluble, biosynthetic active ingredient. ALPHA- ARBUTIN promotes lightening and an even skin tone on all skin types. ALPHA-ARBUTIN blocks epidermal melanin biosynthesis by inhibiting enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine and Dopa.

ALPHA-ARBUTIN acts faster, safer and more efficiently than commonly used single components such as hydroquinone, Kojic acid... You will find that is does not cause the irritation that *Hydroquinone does, AND it works much more efficiently!

*Hydroquinone should only be used under medical supervision, as long-term use can lead to the condition exogenous ochronosis, a grey-brown or blue-black hyperpigmentation of the skin that is permanent. HQ is also a potential carcinogen, and has been banned from many countries. Yet another reason to look into a different category of pigmentation inhibitors such as our Fade Bright.

Regu(R)-fade (INCI Resveratrol) - helps to reduce the appearance of skin pigmentation resulting in noticeably brighter, younger-looking skin. It uses pure nature-identical trans-resveratrol that is free from pesticides and emodin. Resveratrol is a known potent antioxidant found in red grapes and associated with various health benefits.