Lightening method for hyperpigmented sites in mammalian skin

摘要

The subject invention relates to methods of lightening hyperpigmented regions in mammalian skin by administering to the skin of a mammal in need of treatment a safe and effective amount of a sulfhydryl compound selected from the group consisting of thioglycolic acid, cysteine, homocysteine, glutathione, thioglycerol, thiomalic acid, 2-mercaptopropionic acid, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, thiodiglycol, 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, thioxanthene, thiosalicylic acid, thiolactic acid, thiopropionic acid, thiodiglycolic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, lipoic acid, and cosmetically- and/or pharmaceutically- acceptable salts thereof.