Skin Bleaching or Whitening and its side effects

Skin bleaching or whitening or Lightening or whatever terminology you choose...

Cosmetic market is rapidly growing with skin care accounting for 36% of the global market. Skin bleaching is an epidemic trend commonly found mostly among African, Asian, Caribbean and Middle East women. 

According to World Health Organisation assessment, Nigeria has 77% of its female population using lightening products. The popularity of skin lightening is growing because it is believed to increase attractiveness, social standing and improves one potential of being successful. This is only mythical... "You must not conform to the look the media and the society are promoting".

This is the process of using substances, mixtures or topical treatments to lighten skin colour. Skin bleaching works by reducing the content of melanin present in the skin. It can also be a good option in getting rid of hyper pigmentation, dark spots or skin discolouration but not free from side effects. Some natural skin whitening agents have beneficial effects such as being antioxidants e.g hesperidin found in citrus and can also serve as nutrients e.g carrots and turmeric. However, there are some which are a significant risk to health and these include hydroquinone, mercury and steroids. These active ingredients are very harmful and with prolonged use can cause an irreversible damage to the skin. 

Hydroquinone: 2% of hydroquinone in creams is tolerable and effective therapeutically, any cosmetic product that contains a higher percentage can be lethal and should be discarded immediately.

Mercury: The tolerable quantity of mercury in soaps is 1-3% mercuric iodide while in creams is 1-10% mercury ammonium. Most products containing high level of mercury are either grey or cream in colour. When checking for mercury on the ingredient list look out for names like mercury, mercuric iodide, mercury ammonium, quicksilver, Hg, mercurous chloride. However companies selling products with mercury hardly list them on the ingredients list but directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, aluminium, rubber and jewellery might indicate the presence of mercury.

Corticosteroids (steroids): Topical cream containing steroids are not for prolonged use in order to avoid systemic absorption which comes with lots of complications. Examples include Bethametasone Dipropionate (less stronger) and Clobestasol Propionate.

Most often the flawless, clear skin obtained through bleaching is not permanent but needs to be maintained using other whitening products. The truth is that skin bleaching does not get rid of the melanin permanently basically because the skin is constantly renewed through the formation of new melanin by melanocytes which are melanin-producing cells.

Melanin is a group of natural pigments which gives the skin and hair their characteristics colour. Different degrees of colour is determined by the amount melanin pigment that an individual skin contains. It also acts as skin's own sunscreen that protects it from harmful Ultra-Violent (UV) rays from the sun, ageing and skin cancer.

Effects of Skin Bleaching or Whitening or Lightening

The side effects of skin bleaching can be dermatological, physiological and psychological. The harmful active ingredients in these cosmetic products such as hydroquinone, mercury and corticosteroids can cause cutaneous adverse effects. Also with several unknown additives or concoctions make side effects very severe because the exact quantities of harmful substances used in preparation of these concoctions are unknown 

Some of these complications include: facial acne, black pigmentation, stretch marks, exogenous ochronosis, thinning of the skin, impaired wound healing, fish odour syndrome, pre-disposition to infections. 

There is potential adverse skin reactions with prolonged use of these cosmetic products such as nephrotic syndrome, acute mercury poisoning and organ failure.

5 Ways to avoid dangers associated with Skin Bleaching 

1. Stay away from cosmetic products containing hydroquinone, mercury, steroids and other harmful ingredients. 
2. Check the product labels for the list of chemicals and their percentages. Any cosmetic product without a clearly written chemical composition should not be purchased. However, some manufacturers are not transparent on this so that the buyers are not scared off.
3. Skin bleaching products can also be a good option for the treatment of dark spots and skin discolourations but are not allowed to be used for a long period of time (should not be used for more than 5 months at a time). Seek an advise of a dermatologist on any treatment.
4. Go natural or try natural lighteners such as turmeric, lemon and carrot which can also serve as nutrients to the skin. 
5. Do not conform to the look the media, cosmetic industry, hip hop world and society are promoting. Embrace your colour, love yourself and boost your self confidence.