Superfade Face Cream 40mL (AUS-S2 Pharmacy Only)

WARNING:

• If a pigmented spot or mole has recently become darker, changed colour, becomes itchy or bleeds do not use this product on it and see your doctor immediately. 
• Do not use on children. 
• Do not use near eyes.
• Dark skinned people should avoid long term and repeated use to lighten overall colour as this could result in hyper pigmentation of the skin.
• Mild irritation may occur, stop use if it becomes severe. 
• If fading is not evident within 3 months, seek doctor’s advice. 
• Avoid exposure to the sun.
• This product may darken on exposure to air, but this does not affect its efficacy. 
• This product contains sulphites.
• Always read the label. 
• Use only as directed. 
• Available only from Pharmacies (S2).
• Use Superfade UV Day Shield SPF30+ on any exposed areas.

WHAT TYPE OF PIGMENTATION DOES SUPERFADE TREAT?

Over 90% of women over 18 years of age suffer from some form of pigmentation. This can take the form of age spots on the backs of hands and on the face, hormone marks, or just uneven pigmentation. These marks are usually distinguished as flat, brown marks on the surface of the skin.

HOW DOES SUPERFADE WORK?

Superfade Cream and Face Creams contain hydroquinone, which disables the melanocytes that produce melanin which move to the surface of the skin to produce age spots. The disabling action stops the movement of melanin and therefore can fade flat, brown marks on the skin's surface

DOES IT CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF PIGMENT?

No, it cuts back some of the melanocytes that produce pigment but not all, and hence just fades back to normal skin colour

CAN SUPERFADE CREAM AND FACE CREAM BE APPLIED ALL OVER THE HANDS AND FACE?

Superfade Cream and Face Cream should only be applied to the area to be treated to reduce sensitivity reactions on surrounding skin. Superfade is not bleach.

WILL SUPERFADE FADE SURROUNDING SKIN ALSO?

Superfade should only be applied to the dark, age spots, not the surrounding "normal" skin. We understand that this can be difficult, but it sometimes results in the surrounding skin also becoming a little lighter and the age spot appearing darker before it fades.

WHAT IS THE PH LEVEL?

Approximately 2.9 - 3.3

DO I NEED A SPECIAL CLEANSER?

It is best to use a gentle, soap-free cleanser, e.g. John Plunkett’s Crème Cleanser or NS Sensitive Skin Cleanser.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUPERFADE ORIGINAL AND SUPERFADE FACE CREAM?

Superfade Cream is primarily used to treat pigmentation on the hands and body.

Superfade Face Cream has the same level of proven active ingredient as Superfade Cream, however Superfade Face Cream is designed especially for the face. Superfade Face Cream has an anti-ageing formula appropriate for treatment of facial pigmentation.

HOW LONG BEFORE I START TO NOTICE A DIFFERENCE?

Superfade Cream and Face Cream work gradually and results should be evident after 6 weeks. Superfade Accelerator can be used to increase the speed of treatment (apply first).

Superfade Cream or Face Cream should be used 3 times a day (morning, afternoon/evening and before bed). As the pigmentation has usually developed over a long period of time, and hydroquinone works by disabling melanin-producing melanocytes deep in the skin, treatment usually takes 6-8 weeks to be effective.

WHAT IF I DON’T SEE AN IMPROVEMENT?

Fading is gradual, and can take several months.  If fading is not evident after 3 months, ask your doctor for advice.

CAN SUPERFADE MAKE MY PIGMENTATION APPEAR DARKER? 


Superfade should only be applied to the dark, age spots, not the surrounding "normal" skin. We understand that this can be difficult, but it sometimes results in the surrounding skin also becoming a little lighter and the age spot appearing darker before it fades. The fading process does take some time, so we would suggest that you continue using Superfade, being careful in its application. Results should begin to appear after 6-8 weeks. However, if the pigmentation does not fade within 3 months, we would suggest consulting your doctor, as the mark may not be simple pigmentation.

CAN SUPERFADE BE USED TO FADE DARK SKIN?


We do not recommend Superfade Cream or Face Creams for lightening the overall colour of dark skin. Dark skinned people (especially those of Negro descent) should avoid long term and repeated use as this could result in hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the skin. This can result in uneven darkening rather than lightening.

WHAT SHOULD SUPERFADE CREAM LOOK LIKE?

Superfade Cream and Face Cream is white.  However it may darken on exposure to air, but this does not affect its efficacy.  All Superfade products should be stored under 25 degrees C in a cool, dry place.

CAN SUPERFADE BE USED TO FADE FRECKLES?


It is important to know that Superfade does not simply fade all skin by ‘bleaching’ it.  Superfade works by disabling melanocytes deep in the skin that produce melanin which produces brown pigment. Freckles and other discolouration of the skin is the result of these melanocytes producing too much melanin, usually due to excess sun exposure, hormones or skin type. 

We usually recommend Superfade is only applied to the pigmented areas due to the possibility of inflammation and irritation (redness) of the surrounding normal skin. You should test your skin by applying Superfade in a small, discreet area to see if you get any irritation.  If the test area is OK after a couple of days, then start applying Superfade to the larger area. Freckles can be very stubborn. We have found that the best results occur when Superfade Cream or Face Cream is used 3 times a day for at least 6-8 weeks. Superfade Accelerator may also help. Accelerator prepares the skin and can make the treatment time of Superfade Cream or Face Cream shorter.

Since pigmentation and freckles are aggravated by sun exposure, it is very important to protect your skin against further damage by using an SPF30+ sunscreen. 

Superfade UV Hand Shield SPF30+ is a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen. While the handsfree applicator makes it perfect for applying to the back of hands (where many people get agespots), the Superfade UV Day Shield SPF30+ sunscreen is suitable for use all over the body. 

CAN SUPERFADE BE USED TO FADE SCARS?

Although Superfade is not primarily designed for scaring, we have seen some results from facial pigmentation scarring.

CAN SUPERFADE BE USED ON ASIAN AKIN?

Superfade can be used on Asian skin, in accordance with the directions on the packaging, Superfade should only be applied to the area to be treated, not over the whole face.  

CAN SUPERFADE BE USED DURING PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING?


Superfade Cream and Superfade Face Cream are Pharmacy Medicines approved by Australia’s government agency, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).  While there is no specific instruction regarding pregnancy or breastfeeding from the TGA, we recommend that application of the creams should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding except when applying to very small areas. 

CAN TEENAGES USE SUPERFADE?

The simple answer to this question is yes, teenagers can use Superfade. The Therapeutic Good Administration recognises 12+ year olds as adults. However it is not recommended that children under 12 years apply Superfade.

Since the pigmentation that  Superfade is used for in adults is usually a combination of hormonal changes and long term sun damage, it is not usually apparent in children.  Childhood freckles often appear and disappear without treatment and treatment with Superfade would be unnecessary. Of course, a doctor may recommend Superfade for a particular case, and the directions should be followed carefully.

CAN A PATIENT ON WARFARIN (BLOOD THINNERS) USE IT?

The small amount absorbed through the skin is O.K., however if you are on any medication, please consult your doctor.

CAN I USE MAKEUP OVER SUPERFADE FACE CREAM?

Yes.  Firstly apply Superfade Face cream to the specific area, then UV Day Shield all over the face, neck and chest.  Then apply makeup.  Wait a minute or so between each step.

WHY CAN’T I PURCHASE SUPERFADE CREAM OR SUPERFADE FACE CREAM ONLINE?

Superfade Cream and Superfade Face Cream are Pharmacy Medicines approved by Australia’s government agency, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and therefore can only be sold by a registered Pharmacist within a Pharmacy environment in the Australia market, therefore is unavailable to purchase online. We are also unable to send out samples of this product. Being a Pharmacy Medicine, registered by the Therapeutics Goods Administration, it is not a cosmetic or simple skincare product. We can export however, so be sure to email us with your request.

MY SUPERFADE HAS DISCOLOURED, HAS IT GONE OFF?

When manufactured, Superfade Cream is white and creamy. It can darken on exposure to air, but this does not affect its efficacy. All Superfade products should be stored under 25°C in a cool, dry place.

DOES SUPERFADE CREAM OR SUPERFADE FACE CREAM CONTAIN A FRAGRANCE?

No, neither of these products contain any fragrances. 

I HAVE HAD A REACTION TO SUPERFADE, WHY WOULD THIS BE?

Hydroquinone is a potent active that helps fade unwanted pigmentation by disabling the melanocytes that produce melanin (the brown colouring in your skin).  Unfortunately, sometimes hydroquinone can irritate skin, and this is more likely on the delicate facial skin. You should always test your skin by applying Superfade in a small, discreet area to see if you get any irritation. Many people do not do this first. If the test area is OK after a couple of day, then start applying Superfade to the larger area. Superfade is approved by the TGA as a pharmacy medicine, it is not a simple cosmetic. Be sure to send us back your product (with the reciept) and we will honor our money back gurantee.

IS THERE ANY ANIMAL TESTING FOR SUPERFADE?

Whenever we can, we avoid ingredients that have tested on animals and we do not conduct any animal testing ourselves.  However Superfade is a Pharmacy Medicine, approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (the government body that controls and approves the medicines available in Australian).   This approval process generally requires extensive testing, which may include animal testing.  Superfade was originally approved for the Australian market over 25 years ago when tests would have been conducted under very different social and scientific conditions. We understand and appreciate the personal stand on this issue, but we are unable to confirm that no ingredients in Superfade have ever been tested on animals.

I CAN'T FIND SUPERFADE CLEANSER ANYMORE?

Superfade Cleanser was discontinued sometime ago. We recommend using a gentle non-foaming cleanser such as John Plunkett Anti-Ageing Crème Cleanser, or NS Sensitive Skin Cleanser from the Nutri-Synergy range.