This will avoid the risk of skin bleaching and rebound hyperpigmentation. Maintenance of Results: Upon stopping Kojic acid, the skin may gradually return to its original state.
If you stop using kojic acid, your skin may gradually return to its original state, particularly if the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation are not addressed. To maintain the results, it's important to integrate kojic acid into a continuous skincare routine.
The melanocytes are always producing some pigment, every day, which is why uneven pigmentation can return after it's been treated. There are ways to prevent it coming back, explained below. The surface layer of our skin is 0.1-0.2mm thick and it is exfoliated or shed every four weeks.
Kojic acid is not cytotoxic (that is not harmful to the melanocytes or pigment producing cells) & therefore cannot permanently lighten your skin color. However, most users will have a decrease in skin pigmentation with a more even skin tone, especially if combined with sun protection & other pigment reducing agents.
Is kojic acid safe to use everyday? Yes, kojic acid is safe to use everyday. Depending on your skin's sensitivity, it can be used twice a day. Just remember, don't use kojic acid more than 3 months at a time because that can be damaging to your skin.
Both are available over the counter and inhibit melanin production. However, Kojic acid is considered more potent and is thus a preferred choice for more stubborn hyperpigmentation.
So ironically, in wanting to protect, your body could lead you to temporarily darken. So, while kojic acid is busy working on inhibiting melanin, your body may be counteracting by stimulating it. A classic battle of skincare wits! But remember folks, this isn't a long-term effect.
For best results, use it at night, and apply sunscreen during the day to avoid sun damage. Q: Which is better, Kojic Acid or Vitamin C? A: Both ingredients offer unique benefits. Kojic acid is great for reducing dark spots, while Vitamin C brightens the skin and offers protection against environmental damage.
In mild cases, the skin restores pigment on its own. In less severe cases, the pigmentation may take only a few weeks to return, while it may take several years for the pigment to come back in certain diseases and in areas of severe injury such as burns, or the loss may be permanent.
“Kojic acid needs to sit on the skin and penetrate for it to be effective,” says Dr. Kapoor. “If used in a wash-off product, it may not work at all.”
For as long as kojic acid skincare is used, a person's natural skin tone can be lightened. This brightness will not reverse as soon as you stop using kojic acid skincare, but instead will take months to return.
Kojic Acid further enhances the brightening effect by inhibiting melanin production, while Niacinamide helps to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of pores.
The good news with this type of pigment loss is that it's usually not permanent, but it may take a long time to re-pigment. Cosmetics can be used to cover the area, while the body regenerates the pigment.
Kojic acid captures copper ions, preventing the activation of tyrosinase, thus preventing the formation of melanin [12,14]. Due to its tyrosinase-inhibiting activity, KA is considered one of the most effective skin lightening agents in the beauty industry [15].
“Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New York City.
Kojic acid also helps reduce the appearance of scars, spots and other marks by lightening the skin. It cannot, however, altogether remove scars.
On the other hand, certain ingredients can trigger irritation and should be avoided if you're using kojic acid in your skincare routine. Harsh acids, like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), are a prime example, as well as certain retinoids.
Kojic acid
Kojic acid has skin-lightening properties that can help reduce the appearance of dark patches associated with melasma. It inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color10.
Though kojic acid soaps can work on most skin types, experts say that those with sensitive or dry skin should be cautious as it may sometimes cause irritation. “Those with dry skin may want to opt for soaps with moisturizing properties,” advises Dr. Gohara. “Always do a patch test before using it regularly.”