Have you ever noticed that freckles become more frequent when it’s warm outside, or that the older you get, the more often small brown spots start to appear on your skin?  

This happens because, in the epidermis, or top layer of skin, there are small cells called melanocytes that produce the complex polymer responsible for skin pigment called melanin. Although every person has the same number of melanocytes, the amount of melanin they produce is up to the instructions found within each individual's DNA. For the most part, melanocytes follow these instructions, but factors like age, ultraviolet ray exposure, and changes in hormonal balances can damage melanocytes, causing them to overproduce melanin.  

When this happens, dark, round spots begin to form on the skin. These spots are commonly referred to as age spots, as well as sunspots, liver spots, and solar lentigines. They’re physically harmless, but can complicate things cosmetically.

There are various ways to combat—and even prevent—the effects of misfiring, overactive melanocytes. FormRx’s Phytofader, Lightening Pads, Night Brightening Cream, and Complete Night Cream are top-graded products designed to keep age spots at bay and your skin clear and even. 

Phytofader is a lightening serum that relies on natural agents, like kojic acid, to prevent age spots. Kojic acid is found in various fungi and shuts down the production of a specific amino acid that’s necessary to produce melanin. It doesn’t heal damaged melanocytes, but it takes away a key ingredient, halting melanin creation. When using, individuals should apply Phytofader to the face and neck area up to two times a day, allowing for the serum to dry before applying other products. 

Our Lightening Pads correct uneven skin tone and lighten pigmented areas. This proprietary formula effectively penetrates to deliver aggressive results that visibly fade pigmented skin, including sun spots, freckles, and some forms of melasma, and other skin discoloration. In addition to treating these areas, the treatment helps prohibit the formation of new discoloration and pigment. The Lightening Pads will also be effective in treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) left behind by acne, pimples, and other small wounds.

The Night Brightening Cream features a common, manmade bleaching agent called hydroquinone. Like kojic acid, hydroquinone interrupts the development of melanin, making skin lighter as a result. However, due to their unique strength, products with more than 2% hydroquinone must be prescribed by a doctor, including the Night Brightening Cream.  

Those using the Night Brightening Cream should also use a high-quality sunscreen (like FormRx’s Complete Sun Protection Clear SPF 45, Complete Sun Protection Tinted SPF 45, or Physical Defense Sunblock 47) to ensure hydroquinone's success. 

Thanks to its two key ingredients, the Complete Night Cream is able to simultaneously hydrate, exfoliate, and lighten the skin. The first ingredient is tretinoin, a synthetic version of vitamin A. The tretinoin found inside the Complete Night Cream speeds up cell production, resulting in newer, healthier skin. Tretinoin is very effective and may not be suitable for all skin types. The second important ingredient is the previously talked about bleaching agent hydroquinone. The combination of tretinoin and hydroquinone makes the Complete Night Cream very powerful and effective.

Lightening creams can also be an important part of any laser treatment plan. Starting a lightening cream regimen before & after any laser treatment will improve your results and decrease rebound pigmentation. If you are considering laser treatments be sure to get the most out your investment by adding in a lightening cream

Note: The Night Brightening Cream and Complete Night Cream are available by prescription only