BellaSugar

What's Your Take on Whitening Products?

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:08:11 -0700

Whitening products are a fast-growing segment of the beauty industry in Asia, the Middle East and Africa; for many people, having light, porcelain-like skin is considered ideal. While I understand that every culture has different concepts of beauty, it saddens me to think about the number of women who inevitably think something's wrong with their dark skin. It's easy to understand why Sweetstrawberry, who lives in Korea, feels so frustrated by the narrow ideals she encounters at school.

As globalization spreads, this issue isn't likely to go away anytime soon. While some of the controversy can be attributed to cultural differences-after all, Caucasian people get spray-on tans!-you can't argue with the potential danger of certain whitening products. Those that contain hydroquinone and other mercury-based products can lead to skin blisters and burns (and, ironically, darkening). In some cases, they can lead to nerve damage and even death.

Of course, not all whitening products are worrisome. Some aren't terribly far from what you'd find in your average American Walgreens; they're just sold under a different name. These products are safe because they're not about bleaching the skin; instead, they aim to even out the complexion and protect against age spots. Yet much of the marketing language implies that dark skin is a disorder that needs to be cured. An ad for Olay White Radiance, for instance, "fights the five signs of skin darkening." Pond's just launched a White Beauty Detox product line in India last month. And then there's a Fair & Lovely commercial, whose heroine shows that without the whitening cream, she'd be a jobless, dateless loser. To see it, read more

So, putting aside the hilarity of that swarthy TV producer for a moment, what do you think about whitening products? Are they just filling a market demand along the lines of self-tanner for Caucasians, or are they creating a "solution" for a problem that doesn't exist?

Tooth Whitening: Knowing Is Half the Battle, Say Dentists

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:00:33 -0800

Well, the corn-toothed brigade isn't going to like this bit of news: Dentists are dissing tooth-whitening services done at salons, and now the Matlocks of the world are stickin' their litigious noses into the issue.

Here's the deal: Many salon owners who already provide spa services (such as brow waxing and spray tanning) have added tooth-whitening to their list. They say it's a cosmetic service, but people like Dr. Leslie Seldin, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association, feel otherwise. And now that lawsuits are beginning to pop up, it may just be a matter of time before regulations declare who can perform tooth-whitening services. Would you get (or have you had) whitening sessions outside of a dentist's office?

Source

How to Whiten Teeth... Safely

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:03:04 -0700

Well, this didn't sound like good news. A recent British report says that some at-home tooth-whitening kits had levels of peroxide so high that in some instances they approached the amount found in hair dye. Yikes, and then this:

In a study conducted by the University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, doctors found that "all groups exposed to bleach showed an increase in mercury release over time."

None of that sounds good. But just as I was ready to succumb to a life of yellow corn-teeth, I read onward and was relieved. The story quotes multiple dentists who say that whitening your teeth isn't a health hazard. One dentist, Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, director of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, says to follow these guidelines:

Get a product recommendation from your dentist.
Purchase only well-established brands.
Don't buy teeth whiteners over the Internet, particularly from another country.

For four more tips on safe and effective whitening, read more

Always follow package directions.
Don't double up on product, leave it on longer than recommended or use it more frequently than recommended.
More is not better. Lower concentrations used over a longer period get better results than blasting teeth with high concentrations.
If the packaging doesn't look right (for instance, if there are misspellings) or the product looks or smells strange, don't use it.

Source

Tuesday Giveaway! GoSMILE Advanced Formula B1 Tooth Whitening on the Go

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Do you, like us, obsessively inspect your skin in the mirror, and at the site of a new blemish, wrinkle,or age spot, lament, "Why? Why me?" Sephora is here to tell you exactly that. From the "whys" to the "hows" to the "what-ifs," they're answering all of your frequently asked questions-even those you're embarassed to ask. Even better, every day we're giving away one product to help you implement their expertise. Congratulations to Redsugar, who won yesterday's giveaway for a L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream.

Today's question: Is there an easy way to whiten my teeth?

The answer: Yes, and you won't believe how easy it is.GoSmile Advanced Formula B1 Tooth Whitening on the Go is ingeniously simple. Each ampoule contains a safe, gently whitening agent that lightens and brightens teeth. Just toss one in your purse, rub it on your teeth, and you'll get a brighter, white smile on the run.

To enter today's giveaway for this whitening kit, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, July 10, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here.

New Product Alert: Enbrightenment BriteSmile Whitener and Tarte Lip Gloss

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:00:38 -0700

I haven't tried this new Enbrightenment BriteSmile Whitener & Tarte Lipgloss ($26) yet, but it totally caught my eye when I was web shopping over the weekend. From what I understand, one side of the tube contains a vitamin-rich lip gloss and the other side houses a teeth-whitening formula.

The teeth-whitening side contains .05 oz. of BriteSmile bleaching formula with a brush on the end of the wand to facilitate application. I've heard mixed reviews about BriteSmile. Some say it's worked wonders, while others have experienced overbearing toothaches and post-treatment sensitivity.

The lip gloss side contains .05 oz. of antioxidant-rich fruits such as goji berry, maracuja, acerola, pomegranate, jojoba seed oil, and acai and there's also a brush on the end for smooth and even application. The two available shades; pearly pink and radiant red are described as sheer with a peppermint flavor. The idea behind the product sounds interesting and practical enough to me - a bright, white smile (within 14 days) enhanced by a lip gloss. Have any of you tried it yet? If so, what are your thoughts?

Beauty Mark It Results: The Best Tooth Whitener

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:00:47 -0700

Having sparkling white teeth can give you a confidence boost, and there are so many products on the market claiming to do the trick. That's why it was so enlightening to find out which ones you think are best.

Marcella brings up the point that many whitening products can be tough on sensitive teeth. Because of this, she prefers Denblan toothpaste, saying "I can't use the hard abrasive whiteners, so I love the mellowness of this one."

On the other end of the spectrum is hollylyn, who goes for Aquafresh predosed, disposable trays, saying she prefers them over whitening strips because "they don't slip and slide all over your mouth."

Thank you to everyone who participated. Check out everybody's picks below!

Tooth Whitening: Is Cheaper Better?

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:00:27 -0800

Lately, I've been thinking of having my teeth whitened at Brite Smile, but the idea of spending a few hundred dollars for gleaming chompers doesn't sit so well with my inner cheapskate. So this morning, I asked my dentist which method he recommended.

"Honestly," he said-and I paraphrase-"I'd just get some Whitestrips." He went on to say that while Brite Smile would give me slightly better results than Whitestrips, he didn't think the difference was worth the significantly larger cost.

He's not the only one. My former dentist once told me the same thing: Whitestrips are effective and relatively inexpensive. Thought you all might like to know that in my completely informal survey, the at-home stuff gets the thumbs-up from dentists. It's been a few years since I've done Whitestrips, so I'm curious: Do you think they work? Or would you rather save up and do something like Brite Smile?

Five (Cheap!) Tips For Getting Whiter Teeth

BellaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:00:23 -0700

The rich and famous trek to Beverly Hills to get a brighter smile from Dr. Kevin Sands, who you might have seen on Dr. 90210. But if you can't make it in for an appointment, here's the next best thing: Dr. Sands's advice on getting whiter, healthier teeth at home. (Be sure to check with your own dentist before starting a whitening regimen, of course.) For his five easy and affordable ways to get your gleam on, keep reading.

Coming Soon: GoSmile Summer Smile

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:00:32 -0700

This June, get excited for the latest limited-edition, travel-sized, teeth whitening kit launch from GoSmile called Summer Smile ($99). The 38-piece set includes two travel toothpastes, 20 B1 ampules, 15 touch-ups ampules (in two flavors) and a mini-toothbrush. The items come packaged in a sturdy, clear, zip-and-buckle pouch that I love because it can double as a travel bag when you use up the original products.

The whitening portion of the kit (B1 ampules) is a ten-day, twice-a-day regimen and the touch-ups are for post-whitening maintenance. The flavors are great; I especially love the peach touch-ups and the pineapple-flavored toothpaste.

I've been a fan of GoSmile for a little over a year now. I have fairly sensitive teeth, but I find that the products are mild enough for everyday use. I also feel they do a decent job at preserving a bright white color as long as you don't over-do eating too many stain-enhancing foods. I'll level with you - I've tested out many teeth whitening brands and I don't feel that any of the over-the-counter jobbies are as successful as a professional treatment, but as far as maintenance products are concerned, I think that GoSmile is high quality, gentle and effective.

Lightening Creams Are Popular Among Indians, Even For Kids

BellaSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:00:34 -0700

The last time we discussed skin-whitening creams, a lot of you had something to say. But after reading this article, I want to revisit this complex topic. In India, skin-lightening products flood the market; many contain harmful chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. Despite the health issues, the belief that "white is right" keeps many people buying the creams. This isn't the same thing as Caucasians applying self-tanner to get a sun-kissed glow; instead, many people believe that light skin is simply superior to dark skin. (This ad gets that message across.)

But now it's not just adults who want their skin to be lighter. To find out how kids are getting into it, read more.

"I have clients who put their children on the product - some as young as nine years old, with a reference from dermatologists, so that they are not the slightly darker child in school or in the class picture," says former beauty queen Sorisha Naidoo, who markets a skin-lightening product. "In parts of the Indian community, being the slightly darker cousin or sister means that no matter how striking, intelligent or skilled you are, being fair still means more."

Many Bollywood stars such as Kareena Kapoor, shown here, have fair skin. And with light-skinned models and actresses outnumbering their dark-skinned counterparts, the beauty ideal is tilted toward the light end of the spectrum. I can't help but worry for that proverbial child, who's told that her beautiful dark skin is something that needs to be "fixed." What do you think it will take to create a broader, more inclusive standard for South Asian beauty? Or do you think that whitening creams are just a different kind of beauty product?

Source