If
you have always loved the idea of bleaching and are thinking of
bleaching your skin, then you should go through these note before you
start.
Illustrative photo
Gone are the days when skin bleaching/whitening was considered a
culture shock. Today, skin whitening is considered a luxury, an
expensive addiction and a tool for attracting and winning over desirable
members of the opposite s*x. This is despite the fact that there is
damning evidence and an abundance of health-related articles espousing
the dangers of skin bleaching.
Skin bleaching or skin lightening is the practice of using special
creams or methods on the skin to make it whiter or paler. It is a very
common practice world over, although it is more common among blacks who
often do it, not necessarily for its health benefits, but for the simple
reason of wanting to attract potential mates.
Regardless of whether you are for or against it, there is no
denying the fact that skin bleaching has come to stay. In fact, it is a
multi-billion dollar industry with massive potential and an impressive
annual growth rate. According to WHO, Nigeria has the largest market for
bleaching creams (over 75% of Nigerian women bleach their skins!).
Surprisingly, this practice is unrestricted to women alone: men, as
well, are now very active participants.
Many of people bleach for different reasons, whether it's because
of uneven skin tone caused acne scarring, age spots, dark circles under
the eyes, some other skin condition, or whether it be for attracting
potential lovers. Regardless of the reason(s) for bleaching, it is very
important that it is done within the boundaries of moderation, and not
abused.
Below are 6 facts you must know before you embark on that skin-bleaching joruney:
#1. Not all skin bleachings are bad:
Contrary to popular beliefs that skin bleaching is ONLY done by
those who are morally corrupt and of low self-esteem, skin bleaching
often has useful medical applications. Doctors often prescribe (
although under strict guidelines) bleaching creams for skin conditions
such as melasma, hyperpigmented scars, severe acne, skin spots
associated with aging, etc. And really, for sufferers of these skin
conditions, skin bleaching proves a useful remedy.
#2. Your skin type determines how well your skin bleaches:
Not all skins are the same. According to Fitzpatrick Classification
of skin colour, there are six different skin types: type I (very fair)
to type VI (very dark). What this means is this: your skin type
determines how much melanin (the hormone responsible for skin colour)
your skin has. This very important bacause melanin concentration is
often used as a metric for determining the extent to which SAFE
bleaching is practised. For example, people with skin types I to III,
with small amounts of melanin, are more easily and properly bleached
than people with types V or VI skin. So before you storm that pharmacy
shop demanding those strange, fancy creams, do yourself the great favour
of knowing your skin type: consult your dermatologist.
#3. Bleaching creams containing hydroquinone, steroids or mercury are toxic:
Most European countries have banned the use of hydroquinone, or
mercury as active ingredients in bleaching creams. This, primarily, is
due to the fact that these compounds have been found to be very toxic.
Hydroquinone, the commonest bleaching agent, has been found to cause
skin cancer while mercury is the deadliest of the 3, as it is known to
damage the liver, brain, kidneys, immune system, heart, eyes, etc. Don't
kill yourself bleaching. If you must bleach, do it right and healthy.
Always check the labels of the creams you are buying, and if you see any
of the 3 compounds, drop it! If you must bleach, do it well.
#4. Getting exposed to sunlight affects bleaching:
It is counterproductive to overexpose yourself to sunlight when
bleaching. This is because bleaching creams make your skin very
sensitive to sunlight. The creams readily react with sun rays and cause
severe skin damage.
#5. Use of natural bleaching products lessens the side effects:
Of course, you can decide to use conventional bleaching creams and
still achieve similar results as the natural products. But at what cost?
Conventional bleaching creams are the primary reason why the health
community strongly preaches against skin bleaching. So if you must do
it, go 100% natural! This is because natural skin bleachers like vitamin
A, vitamin C, kojic acid, arbutin, licorice, etc are safer to use than
hydroquinone or mercury-laced creams.
#6. Skin bleaching causes serious side effects:
The problems associated with skin bleaching are very grave. Even
more so when creams containing hydroquinone, steroids or mercury are
used for very long periods of time. From skin cancer to mercury
toxicity, to bleach burns, to skin thinning and allergies, to coke and
fanta skin colouration, the list is endless. So just before you bleach,
be aware of these potential side effects and the risks involved. This
awareness of the risks, perhaps, would restrain you from abusing
bleaching products and endangering your life. If you must bleach, do it
according your skin's ability and need for it. Bleach responsibly!
***
Written by Damian Avar Via Doctors Hub Nigeria
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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