Understanding Skin Type in Pakistan and the Best Whitening Solution for Everyone

In Pakistan, there are five major types of skin present, including oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, normal skin, and combination skin. The best and safest whitening solutions depend on the specific skin types. It includes many ingredients, such as vitamin C serum, niacinamide, and alpha-arbutin.  

Ways to Understand Your Skin Type?

1. Visual Observation: 

A visual checkup involves closely checking your skin appearance and skin texture on different sides of the face in natural sunlight. 

• For oily skin, it appears as a shiny area on the T-zoneof the face. Open pores and enlargements will be noticeable in oily skin.
• For Dry Skin: The skin becomes tight and dry. Rough watches are shown on the skin. After cleansing skin becomes dull.
• For Combination Skin: The noticeable oily skin areas are the nose, chin, and forehead, which become oily. But the other face part becomes normal.
• For Sensitive Skin: Face shows any redness, itching, or inflammation. Especially in the reaction of cosmetic products.
• For Normal Skin: The skin of your face looks smooth, normal, or has constant colouration without any shine or dryness.
  

2.  Blotting paper test/observation: 

• To check your facial skin, the blotting paper test is commonly used. It helps to indicate your skin type. Press blotting paper on the different areas of your face in the morning before any cleansing.
• Oily Skin: Blotting paper rapidly absorbed the extra oil. It can show a greasy residue.
• Dry Skin: In dry skin, blotting paper did not pick up excessive oil. It will be indicated that the low sebum level is in your face.
• Combination Skin: In this skin type, blotting paper suck extra oil from the T-zone. But checks have less oil.
• Normal Skin: If your skin type is normal. The blotting paper picks up a minimum amount of oil. It is a sign that you have no excessive oil or deficiency.

3.  Touching Test/Touching your Face:
   

   The touching test basically involves touching your facial skin to feel different areas of your face side to check texture, smoothness, and moisturiser level. Wash your hands and touch gently. You can assess how your skin feels after your fingertips touch.

   • Oily Skin: When you touch your face skin with your fingertips. It becomes greasy, oily, and slick in the T-zone area.
   • Dry Skin: Skin feels tight and rough. It shows that the moisture level is low.
   • Combination Skin: When you touch your face. You can visibly feel the T zone feel oily, but the cheeks are normal.
   • Sensitive Skin: It is noticeable if the skin reacts to touch, showing any kind of redness, itching, and irritation on the cheeks. But not all sensitive skin types will necessarily react to this test. It totally depends on the degree of sensitivity.
   • Normal Skin: When you touch your skin, it becomes normal, no oil, no dryness, no redness or itching.

4. Professional Skin Exploration: 

If you are still worried about your skin type and texture. And want more exclusive analysis about skin. Or if you want to address any skin issues and want beneficial results. You can visit a Dot Clinic’s dermatologist or skin specialist for more precise assessments. Our skin specialist can take a test or examine your skin under certain conditions to determine your skin type.

Can Skin Type and Texture Change over Time?

Skin type can be changed with the passage of time. Many factors are effects like age, hormonal imbalance, lifestyle and mainly environmental factors. Initially, the teenagers face oily skin because the hormones fluctuate. On the other hand, adults have dry skin due to less natural oil production. Other factors like pregnancy, stress, diet, and sun exposure may also affect your skin. For healthy and glowing skin, you need to adjust your skincare routine according to skin type.

What are the best whitening solutions for the skin types?

For skin whitening. You can choose the solution according to your skin type. If you use any kind of product, first consult with your dermatologist, then apply it to your face. 

Here are the five types of skin described with suitable whitening serum: 

Solution by Skin Texture and Types:

• Dry Skin: Both Hyaluronic acid and glycerine are used in skincare treatment. These elements are good for dry skin. For rich and classy looks, use nourishing oil to hydrate your skin while brightening it.
• Oily Skin: For oily skin, use water-based products, skincare and makeup products that can be used to removed blackhead, whiteheads and acne. such as gel-based creams and lotions. Niacinamide is used to control oil and even skin tone.
• Acne/Sensitive Skin: If you have this type of skin, you can use gentle, irritation-free products that are full of vitamin C and kojic acid. It also has alpha arbutin, which calms pigmentation without any redness.
• Home Remedies: Home remedies are very useful for all skin types. Use turmeric, yoghurt, milk, or multani mitti mixed with rose water, make a mask, and apply to your skin for natural brightening.

Professional Treatments:

Some whitening treatments are below:

• Chemical Peel: Chemical peels work on the skin to make it bright and shiny. These treatments create a controlled injury to the skin's upper layers. And help to break down the bonds between the dead skin cells. Some brightening treatments can be used. For minor issues, glycolic and lactic peels treatment is available
• Laser Therapy: This therapy is used to decrease the melanin and break down the dark spot, and even skin tone.
• Glutathione: To reduce the ability of melanin, dermatologists suggest injections and supplements for skin whitening.If you want long-lasting effects with minimal side effects. You should take Glutathione IV drip and pills according to the doctor's recommendation.
• Microdermabrasion: It is a non-invasive method for minimal spots.

What are the Best Whitening Elements? 

Some key brightening elements are given below that make your skin look lightning and shiny.

• Vitamin C: This serum is an antioxidant. It can protect from sunlight and sunburn. Regular use of this serum makes your skin lighter.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Bright skin, even tone. Regulates oil
• Kojic Acid: This acid reduces the melanin production 
• Alpha Arbutin: This product blocks melanin production. This product is very gentle on your skin.
• Hydroquinone: Potent melanin inhibitor (usually prescription strength). 

What Products Avoid for Skin Brightening?

• Steroid-Based Creams: These creams have many side effects. It caused redness, itching, skin sensitivity, and thinning.
• Mercury-Based Products: these kinds of products are extremely harmful for kindy and nervous system.

What are Skin whitening tips for the Pakistani environment?

1. Always apply sunscreen after a good serum
2. Avoid harsh whitening creams that contain steroids and mercury
3. Always hydrate your skin with a constant skin care routine.

FAQs 

1) What are the most common skin concerns in Pakistan related to skin tone?

The most common and basic concern is hyperpigmentation due to direct sun exposure( dark spot, even skin tone, sun tan, pigmentation). It also includes the uneven skin tone and dullness caused by hormonal changes and environmental factors.

2) Are skin whitening creams safe or not?

Skin whitening creams are not safe in Pakistan because they contain steroids and mercury, which directly attack our nerves and the kidney system.

3) Which ingredients are recommended for safe skin brightness?

Products that contain high-quality ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin B3, koji acid, and liquorice extract are highly recommended by dermatologists to make your skin bright, shiny, and glowing. 

4) What about the professional treatments like laser and chemical peeling?

Clinical treatments like chemical peeling, glutathione injections, and laser therapy can be highly effective for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. But these treatments should be performed by a certified dermatologist and clinic to ensure safety and avoid potential side effects.

5) Is it possible to get permanent skin whitening?

It is long-lasting results but not permanent results. It required constant maintenance and sun protection to prevent the return of pigmentation.