| Popular Products & Programs |
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ActiFade® |
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Introduction & Overview |
There are many skin care products are available – pharmacies, discount stores and department stores, as well as high end shops. However, many people have decided to forgo shopping in person, and have moved onto using websites that offer online shopping. Many stores now offer this feature, which is extremely cost effective and time saving.
Anti-aging and skin care products have become particularly popular with individuals shopping online. The ActiFade® product line is a triad of skin care systems used by those who are seeking to ease pigmented related issues, such as freckles, age related blemishes and liver spots. Let’s take a look at this line of products to see if it may actually support women in meeting their skin care and anti-aging needs.
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| Products at a Glance |
The ActiFade® line consists of three products - The Precision Youth Complex, The Opulent Youth Complex and The Radiant Youth Complex. Hydroquinone 1.5% is the key ingredient in the ActiFade® crème, which is an integral part of each of these systems.
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| Ingredients in Focus |
Hydroquinone is used in the U.S. as a topical application in skin whitening products to reduce the color of skin, because it does not cause dermatitis, like other similar elements, such as Metol. In this product line it is used to reduce the appearance of dark discolorations in the skin, such as freckles, age and liver spots, and other pigment relate blemishes. Hydroquinone may do this by acting directly on melatonin-producing cells in the skin where it is applied, thereby destroying the pigment.
This sounds like an answer to many of our skin care woes, but sometimes the cure may be worse than the cause. Hydroquinone has actually been banned in many countries, such as France, due to fears that it may cause cancer in some individuals. In recent animal-based studies, it has been shown to potentially cause blood cancers, such as leukemia, as well as cause kidney damage in animal studies. This is because when it is applied to the skin, it is quickly absorbed into the blood stream, and then it makes its way to the kidneys to be eliminated.
However, this is not the only issue associated with this element. It has also been shown to cause potential damage to the skin - creating white areas in which there is no pigment left, and none can be produced. In some cases, these spots may turn black. In products such as ActiFade®, Hydroquinone is used in smaller amounts than pharmaceutical-grade medications, but this may not mean these side effects are absent. It may be wise to do a risk assessment before using these kinds of products.
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| Website |
At first glance, the ActiFade® website seems like it is full of vital product related information. However, when we take a deeper look, we realize that they fail to discuss what elements are used in this product line. We could not help but wonder if some of this is due to the controversy around its primary ingredient, Hydroquinone.
Regardless of the reason, we find this to be rather troubling, because when it comes to skin care, anti-aging and skin lightening products, we believe people have a right to know exactly what they are putting on their facial skin. Nevertheless, this website posts some testimonials, and they say that people who use their products should “avoid sun exposure by using a sunscreen agent, a sun-blocking agent, or protective clothing to cover bleached skin”.
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| Positives |
• Three products to choose from
• Testimonials posted
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| Negatives |
• Hydroquinone may have some potential side effects
• Hydroquinone has been linked to some cancers and kidney damage
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| Final Thoughts |
The controversy surrounding the primary ingredient in all of the ActiFade® products – Hydroquinone – makes it hard for us to suggest people give it a try. Also, the fact that this element has been linked to some blood cancers and kidney diseases is concerning. Luckily, there are many other products people may use to support them in meeting their aging and skin care needs. Some quality formulas use both safe and effective ingredients, such as Matrixyl 3000® and Argireline®. Each of these elements has been shown to have a direct and dramatic impact on wrinkles, facial lines and crow’s feet.
Some people are hesitant about shopping online, but we have found that once they give it a try, they continue to shop online with greater frequency. What’s more, many developers offer perks, such as hassle-free returns and a discount on volume purchases.
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Malikha: Kindly inform me of the most effective skin whitening/brightening or bleaching product on the market today for women of color with severe blotchy, hyperpigmented complexion. Thank you.
Angelina: I have liver spots about the size of a fist on both side of my cheeks. I have had them for the last 17 years and had to wear foundation along with facial powdwer to cover it up. Well they got darker the last five years and even with the foundation on, you can still see the liver spots. About two months ago I decied to go to my nearst CVS and bought Actifade and my husband and co-workers have noticed the spots have slowly got lighter. I have tried other products, but have been very unsuccessful. Now I no longer wear foundation on my face. I have been very sceptic at first, but I have recommended this product to few of my friends. I give it a 5 star. Thank you for this wonderful product.