You can find in the market a variety of treatments to for skin bleaching: laser, microdermabrasion, oral treatments, cryotherapy, and commercial creams.

The most common treatment is the use of a skin bleaching cream. You will find a wide variety of them on the market. Some available by prescription and others over the counter.

A skin bleaching cream will reduce the production of melamin with ingredients that inhibit tyrosinase, which is key to synthesize melamin. The ingredients most commonly used are:

• Hydroquinone. Very effective but also potentially harmful. A skin bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone is banned in Europe but you can find it in USA (over the counter creams with 2% concentration, by presciption higher percentages).

• Arbutin. It is extracted from berry plants and it is a natural alternative to hydroquinone. It bleaches the skin naturally, effectively, and it is not dangerous.

• Kojic Acid. A lot of skin bleaching creams use this natural ingredient. It is obtained from a type of fungi or as by product in the fermentation of rice when making sake.It stops melanin production, it is antioxidant and has antibacterial properties.

You can find plenty of effective skin bleaching creams. You can always try a home remedy if your problem is not too serious. Keep in mind that home remedies, like commercial bleaching creams, must be applied regularly as a part of your daily routine.

Cleaning well your skin before using a skin bleaching cream or a homemade remedy, it will increase the effectiveness.

(CAUTION: Do not apply on the eyes area)

• Buttermilk. One of the simplest skin bleaching home remedies is buttermilk.It contains lactic acid, which exfoliates the skin. Once the top layer is removed, the skin renews itself, appearing lighter in skin tone. Use a cotton ball to apply the buttermilk. After15 minutes, rinse off the buttermilk with warm water.

• Potato. Another simple home remedy to bleach your skin. Shred a potato to form a paste, and then spread it on your skin. Try not to strain the potato when grating it, you want all the juices.The potato's juices contain whitening components that will lighten your skin. Allow the potato mask to dry and rinse it off.

• Almond Paste. Almonds also contain whitening agents. You will have to soak five almonds in water overnight. Peel them and mash them up into a paste. Apply the paste on your skin. Allow it to dry and then rinse off with warm water.

• Orange peel. Sun dry some orange peels. Grind the sun dried peels to make a powder. Make a paste adding milk to the powder, and apply it on your skin. After fifteen minutes, rinse it with warm water.

• Sandalwood paste. Using sandalwood powder, lemon juice, tomato juice and cucumber juice, make a paste. Apply and let it dry. Rinse with water.

• Lemon juice and honey. Using lemon juice, honey, almond and milk powder, make a paste. Apply it for 15 minutes and then rinse.

• Oatmeal, tomato juice and curd. Combine these three ingredients, and apply them over your skin. Let it work for 15 minutes, then rinse off with cold water.

• Turmeric powder and lemon juice. Make a paste and apply it on your skin. Rinse after 15 minutes.

Again, those home remedy can be effective if your skin is just slightly hyperpigmentated. A commercial skin bleaching cream will be a better option if you have a severe hyperpigmentation.