Hydroquinone Free Lumixyl For Skin Spots
Got Skin Spots?
Hydroquinone free Lumixyl® just may be your new answer to old sun spots (think: age spots, liver spots, etc.). Lumixyl® is a new proprietary synthetic oligopeptide (an oligopeptide is a protein fragment or molecule that usually consists of less than 25 amino acid residues linked in a polypeptide chain) consisting of a chain of ten amino acids. Marketed by Basis Medical Technologies, this beautifully elegant, non-irritating, non-scented cream appears to be even more effective than hydroquinone, the usual Gold Standard for reduction of hyperpigmentation or melasma without the use of lasers or light sources.
Is Hydroquinone Cream Dangerous?
Hydroquinone has been pulled off the market in some Asian and European countries. It has been discussed here, but the evidence as to whether or not it is dangerous is somewhat controversial. It also can cause irritation and allergic reactions. According to Neil Sadick, MD, FAAD, FAACS, FACP, FACPh, “Hydroquinone has had some controversy in the recent past and this product (Lumixyl®) offers a non-hydroquinone alternative that shows good clinical efficacy in treating discoloration without causing irritation”.
Any Comments?
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Hi Bonnie,
I keep searching a cream that can possible help me to whiten my dark scars on my hands and legs. I got this since last year and I tried DOVE whitening soap and any whitening lotion over the counter. I need your help what should I do. Thanks.
Dear Michelle,
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark areas in response to trauma or injury) is common and can be tough. It occurs anywhere there has been inflammation, and it is often on the face of darker (types III through VI) skinned folks where blemishes were the culprit. It is tougher on the hands and the legs because the skin is slower to turn over on these areas than on the face. Therefore it is necessary to use something that will breakdown the stratum corneum (the top layer of dead keratin cells) and allow the penetration of the lightening product. In addition, a product that will increase cell turnover will enhance the efficacy of the treatment. That said, I often prescribe Tri-Luma for spot treatments because the tretinoin (generic Retin-A) turns the cells over faster and this causes the breakdown of the stratum corneum (because it literally is younger), while the hydroquinone (prescription bleaching agent) penetrates to decrease the production of melanin, thereby lightening the area. It also contains a mild steroid since both products can be somewhat irritating.
If you wanted something non-prescription, Lumixyl now has an additional product, GlycoPeel 20, that is applied prior to the application of Lumixyl. Since glycolic acid will also speed the cell turnover and decrease the stratum corneum resistence (though less efficiently than tretinoin) this combination greatly increases the efficacy of Lumixyl compared to using Lumixyl alone.
Kojic acid is an over-the-counter lightener that is frequently found in products, however it really is not strong enough to address what you describe.
Thanks for visiting and I hope this helps!
Hi, this is Bonnie. I got this email question today and thought I would share it with you all:
Can Lumixyl be used for dark circles under eyes?
Thanks for your question.
Dark circles under the eyes arise from a variety of issues. Sometimes it is hyperpigmentation (too much pigment) which may or may not be a heredity cause. In this case, Lumixyl may help. In other cases it can be due to transparency of the very thin skin under the eyes and therefore one may be able to see underlying tissues and blue vessels, all coming together to appear as dark circles. In other cases the lower lids may be indented somewhat and therefore decrease the ability of light to be reflected.
For an immediate help, Teamine Eye Complex from Revision Skin Care helps to decrease the darkness. For longer lasting changes, using a glycolic based cream, or the best…a retinoid (Retin-A, etc) will increase the thickness of the skin, and adding Lumixyl will help the pigment (if that is the issue) over time.
Any further questions? Please contact me at yearserased.com. Good Luck!
Dr. Bonnie Marting
Hi Bonnie,
I enjoyed the Anushka interview and the newsletter. In response to one
question, you mentioned a zinc/titanium sunscreen. The product I use most days is an spf 30 which contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide along
with moisturizers. I also have Neutragena spf 60 for sensitive skin which has zinc and titanium, that I use for outdoor days. I’d like to know what you recommend.
About sunscreens…I almost wish the authorities would do away with the SPF and get people to read labels. SPF refers only to UVB radiation and can be misleading. Zinc and Titanium (or only Zinc) in a sunscreen are a necessity as far as I am concerned, and there really is no reason for the other chemicals in a sunblock (the “other” sunscreening agents). The zinc should be at least 5%. It blocks the most UVA of all screeners/blockers, and will not be affected by heat, light, or UV rays, as others can be. Neutrogena® Sensitive Skin 60+ SPF Sunblock Lotion with PureScreenTM has zinc and titanium in strong amounts if this is the one you are referring to.
Some sunscreens boast Helioplex, which is a proprietary name for a formulation of broad spectrum skin protection containing Avobenzone and Oxybenzone. Avobenzone containing products have decreasing efficacy after a few hours of sun exposure, but the addition of Oxybenzone can reduce the amount of degradation that occurs. This is a problem with some chemical sunscreens. It will not happen with zinc and titanium.