Do you have a skin blemish caused by sun damage, aging, melasma, or inflammation? Would you like to make your skin clear, glowing, and beautifully even-toned? Or do you want a potent alternative to hydroquinone?
Enter, Kojic acid.
Kojic acid is derived from several types of fungi. It is also a byproduct of fermented rice wine and soy sauce. It is a highly effective natural skin brightening ingredient applied topically to treat hyper-pigmentation.
Due to its ability to penetrate the skin rapidly and to quickly inhibit melanin production, the chemical reduces dark spots and brightens the skin in no time.
When compared to tranexamic acid (8-12 weeks) and retinol (4-6 weeks), Kojic acid provides one of the quickest (2-3 weeks) spot lightening effects.
How does Kojic acid work?
Kojic acid provides a powerful melanin-blocking effect that helps prevent all kinds of hyperpigmentation, whether sun-induced, age-related, or post-inflammatory.
Melanin is the natural body pigment that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color and is produced when melanocytes convert the protein tyrosine to melanin with the help of the enzyme tyrosinase.
Kojic acid can inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin. By stopping tyrosinase activity, the chemical blocks tyrosine from forming, which prevents melanin synthesis and results in less skin pigmentation.
Since hyper-pigmentation tends to occur when melanin is produced in high concentrations and then becomes clumped, diminished melanin production effectively prevents dark spots, sun spots, and age spots. It also limits pigmentation after sunburn, stops the formation of freckles, and clears melasma.
What are the benefits of Kojic acid?
- It helps fade spots. Kojic acid inhibits melanin production, hence lightens sun spots, pigmentation, and marks left by pimples or acne scars.
- It helps to brighten the skin. Kojic acid protects against ultraviolet light, keeps the skin safe from sun damage, and ensures brighter and glowing skin.
- It relieves melasma. After pregnancy, many women have melasma—a condition characterized by dark patches on the body and face. Kojic acid is effective in eliminating the patches.
- It inhibits the future appearance of scars. Kojic acid works on superficial scars and prevents their resurgence.
- It prevents skin infections. Kojic acid has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It prevents bacterial infections such as acne and fungal skin infections, like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections of the skin.
Who should use Kojic acid?
Kojic acid is ideal for anyone looking for a naturally occurring ingredient to lighten dark spots and provide a more even complexion.
You can use it when:
- You have an uneven, pigmented complexion
- You are battling a skin pigment of any kind, such as post-inflammatory pigmentation, sun damage, melasma, and dark spots after acne or injuries
- You want to improve your under-eye circles due to hyper-pigmentation
- You want to treat mild wrinkles and photo-damage
- You want to treat and prevent bacterial infections of the skin, such as yeast infections and athlete’s foot
Is Kojic acid safe?
Kojic acid has mild antioxidant, antimicrobial and exfoliating properties. It is a safe and well-tolerated skin-lightening product for the face and body, even on sensitive skin.
Kojic acid is an ideal option if your skin can’t tolerate ingredients like hydroquinone or retinoids.
You can use a serum or pad infused with Kojic acid once or twice a day, depending on the concentration of Kojic acid and the product’s other ingredients. It is safe for topical application in concentrations of up to 1% in skincare products.
But you should not use it for longer than three months at a time. Use it only in smaller doses, particularly if your skin borders on the more sensitive side.
Excessive application of Kojic acid can irritate the skin, resulting in contact dermatitis—a surface-level red rash.
Plus, Kojic acid should be used for fade discoloration, not complete lightening of the complexion of the whole skin.
Kojic acid can be applied in small amounts for fade discoloration to eliminate spots, such as age spots, sun spots, and obnoxious post-breakout marks.
Never apply kojic acid to broken or irritable skin.
Always remember to apply sunscreen in the morning also to help protect the skin.
Whenever you notice adverse effects, stop the use and consult your doctor immediately.
How do you prevent dermatitis when using Kojic acid?
Kojic acid is not suitable for sensitive skin, with dermatitis as its most common side effect. It can cause redness, irritation, swelling, itchiness, and pain when it causes a flare-up.
To prevent dermatitis, Kojic acid should be paired with soothing ingredients to keep skin happy and side-effect-free.
For example, you can pair it with azelaic acid, green tea extract, and resveratrol. It used to be paired with hydroquinone to increase potency, but hydroquinone is in the process of being phased out.
As a rule, buy Kojic acid-containing products only when you know when and how to use them, and then strictly follow your plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s instructions.
Trustworthy plastic surgery advice
Are you looking for freedom from dark spots, sun spots, age spots, or stubborn, post-breakout marks and just don’t know how? Would you like to put your best complexion forward and enjoy enhanced self-confidence but not know the best product for your skin?
At Politis Plastic Surgery, we can help and guide you on nourishing your skin to achieve even-toned, glowing skin.
For years, Dr. Effie Politis has been helping women become their best selves, regaining their confidence over their bodies and skin. She is well equipped with the knowledge and experience to help you.
She has recommended Kojic acid as an ingredient for clearing dark spots and skin pigmentations. That is because Kojic acid is a well-studied ingredient with high safety and tolerability profile.
Come in and speak with Dr. Effie Politis today to determine if Kojic acid or any other skin brightening ingredient is ideal for you.\
You can also discuss other procedures such as breast augmentation, breast implants, breast lift, buttock lift, facelift, liposuction, tummy tuck, lip augmentation, rhinoplasty, dermabrasion, and other forms of plastic surgery.
