The modern beauty industry has developed a huge number of products to combat various skin imperfections. One of these remedies is kojic acid - a substance that effectively eliminates skin pigmentation, freckles. If you are the owner of such skin changes, then our article will be useful to you.
What is the substance?
Kojic acid is an effective remedy, the action of which is aimed at whitening the skin. Acid is obtained from fungi growing on the lands of Japan: Aspergillus, Aerobacter and Penicillum; it is one of the components of fungal metabolism. It is actively added to the composition of many cosmetic whitening creams.
By nature, acid appears as a discolored crystalline powder that is not resistant to water. It is able to stop the process of melanin production. If you look at the composition of such creams, you can see that the amount of acid does not exceed 4%. The thing is that this substance is capable ofcause an allergic reaction, and a concentration of more than 4% will cause irritation and skin rashes.
Kojic acid is unstable to daylight and breaks down fairly quickly if not stored properly.
Why do age spots and freckles appear?
Skin color is affected by a special pigment - melanin. Its quantity determines the shade of the dermis. Internal changes in the body, as well as external environmental influences, can change the amount of melanin. So, for example, tanning enthusiasts observe a change in the color of their skin during prolonged exposure to the sun or after a stay in a solarium. The skin becomes darker, acquire a golden or bronze hue. But with liver diseases, the epidermis turns yellow.
If melanin is produced unevenly, then spots appear on the body that are significantly different from the rest of the skin. What can provoke such a pigment disorder?
- Disturbed metabolism.
- Liver disorders.
- Changes in hormonal levels due to pregnancy, puberty.
- Diseases of the skin, such as seborrhea, acne, etc.
- Stress.
- Antibiotics.
- UV from frequent exposure to the sun or tanning bed.
- The aging process.
- Failure of the gastrointestinal tract.
Kojic acid is an indispensable component used in skin rejuvenation cosmetic preparations. Before you start bleaching, you needconsult a doctor, as it may be necessary to treat the underlying causes leading to the defect, and only then proceed with the cosmetic procedure.
Pigment spots are the result of external and internal influences. Why do freckles appear? The reason for this skin feature is a genetic predisposition. We can say that freckles are a disease of a hereditary nature. These people with freckles have pale skin and often (but not necessarily) red hair. The appearance of spots worsens in the spring.
Spots on the face can be of different shades: from light to dark. It depends on the depth of their formation: the closer to the outer layer, the lighter. This factor will affect the way the dermis is whitened. Cleaning can be superficial or deep.
Acid in cosmetics
Pigmentation creams are guaranteed to whiten skin darkening. But how does this process take place when the cream comes into contact with the skin?
When the sun's rays penetrate deep into the epidermis, the process of melanin formation is activated, and in an increased concentration. The consequence of this is sunburn - darkening of the upper layer of the dermis. Kojic acid stops the process of pigment production, since it contains a tyrosinase enzyme blocker, which is necessary for the synthesis of melanin.
Cosmetics containing acid
Kojic acid is very effective for pigmentation. It is actively used in Japanese cosmetics. And not only in salons, but also at home.conditions. When preparing home cosmetics, the concentration of the substance varies from 0.1% to 1%. In the industrial production of cosmetics, its concentration does not exceed 4%. It is worth noting that the whitening effect does not depend on the amount of acid added, and its excessive concentration will cause an allergic reaction.
On sale it is possible to find several varieties of skin whitening products:
- Soap.
- Scrubs.
- Serums.
- Gels.
- Creams.
The main feature of such products is their short shelf life, since kojic acid quickly breaks down in the sun. Very popular cosmetics for professional use, which is used in salons. Its cost is slightly higher, but its additional components gently affect the skin during acid peeling for the face.
Contraindications for use
The desire to make your skin perfect, getting rid of age spots and freckles, sometimes makes women neglect contraindications for use. But you need to be careful when using kojic acid cream.
In order to avoid undesirable consequences, it is forbidden to use whitening cosmetics if:
- has acne, herpes, infectious diseases;
- scratches, open wounds;
- diseases of vascular insufficiency;
- have a predisposition to allergies;
- for sensitive skin.
In the pursuit of beauty, we must not forget about caution.
Effective result
Soaps, serums, pigmentation creams will give a positive result. Therefore, if there are no contraindications, feel free to purchase a suitable remedy. With the help of cosmetics with kojic acid, you can permanently get rid of freckles, pigment spots associated with age-related changes, diseases.
It is necessary to use cosmetics in a course. Its duration is more than 1 month (depending on the drug used). Noticeable results will be visible after 4 weeks of its use. Acid peeling for the face is carried out in a course of 7-10 procedures, but due to its aggressive effect on the skin, the interval between 1 and 2 procedures should be six months.
An important condition is the use of sunscreen with bleaching agents in the summer. Exposure to sunlight and, as a result, sunburn, is contraindicated, otherwise there will be no effect from the procedures.
What other effects does acid have on the skin?
Whitening is the main property of kojic acid. But, in addition to this, the substance is able to have the following effects on the epidermis:
- Slowing down the production of the tyrosinase enzyme.
- Prevention of microbial growth.
- Peeling - removal of the keratinized skin layer.
- Forms an ionic bond of iron necessary for the formation of melanin.
- Antioxidant action.
- Longwhitening effect.
- Reduces the risk of sunburn.
This is interesting
As already mentioned, the substance is obtained from a certain type of mushroom that grows in the Land of the Rising Sun. It was in Japan that kojic acid was first used in whitening cosmetics.
The component was obtained quite simply: in the manufacture of Japanese alcoholic sake. The acid was just a by-product that had other uses. It is noteworthy that in Switzerland, kojic acid does not have the necessary license for cosmetic use. And such distrust of her is caused by the negative effect on the skin of her "brother" - hydroquinone.
This substance has a similar effect on the skin and gets rid of the hated spots and freckles. However, in the course of scientific research, its toxicity was revealed, which adversely affects the condition of the skin. In addition, hydroquinone not only stops the production of melanin, but also leads to a change in the structure of melanocytes - the cells that produce pigment. Despite the similarity of hydroquinone and kojic acid, the second is absolutely harmless to the skin (if used in an acceptable concentration).
In addition to cosmetology, acid is used in the food industry. One of its properties is color fixing, so it is used to preserve the appearance of certain products, such as eggs, fruits, etc.
And finally
If you are concerned about the question "Why do freckles, age spots appear, and how to get rid of them?", Then use the information,above.
Do not forget: before you start the procedure for whitening your face, you must take precautions. It is better to consult a qualified beautician. Yes, and the whitening procedure is recommended to be carried out in the salon.
