What is skin bleaching?
Skin whitening, also known as skin lightening and skin bleaching, is the practice of using chemical substances in an attempt to lighten the skin or provide an even skin color by reducing the melanin concentration in the skin. Several chemicals have been shown to be effective in skin whitening, while some have proven to be toxic or have questionable safety profiles. This includes mercury compounds which may cause neurological problems and kidney problems.
Efforts to lighten the skin date back to at least the 1500s in Asia.[4] While a number of agents—such as kojic acid and alpha hydroxy acid—are allowed in cosmetics in Europe, a number of others such as hydroquinone and tretinoin are not. While some countries do not allow mercury compounds in cosmetics, others still do, and they can be purchased online.
There is no health benefit to skin bleaching.
There is no health benefit to skin bleaching. Results aren’t guaranteed and there’s evidence that skin lightening can result in serious side effects and complications. From a medical standpoint, there’s no need to lighten the skin.
Many women in The Gambia now are bleaching their skin. Why do they want to do that? Is fairer skin really more appealing than beautiful black skin?
Harmful effects of skin bleaching
Harmful effects of bleaching include mainly two substances which are present in these are hydroquinone and mercury. Hydroquinone is a very harsh chemical present in the bleach which makes the cell of your skin completely dead and this if once happens cannot ever be repaired. Also, the Harmful effects of bleaching are also seen if you start bleaching your skin at a very young age that is maybe below the age of twenty. As this is a young age your skin is very tender and delicate and thus the chemicals present in the bleach have many harmful effects on the skin.
To start with, variety is the spice of our life, such as variety in food, clothes, hairstyles, etc. Variety also abounds in nature. That is why all people on Earth belong to different types of skin colors, from white to yellow and to black. Our living environment accounts for the different skin colors we have. For example, in cold climatic regions such as Europe, inhabitants tend to have a lighter complex due to the cold weather, whereas in Africa, darker skin is better suited in the hot and humid climate.
Actually, many beauticians and doctors advise us that by eating healthily, exercising, and using body cream rich in Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Collagen Elastin will produce more fascinating effects than applying mere bleaching creams.
All skin bleaching products contain one of the two active ingredients — hydroquinone and mercury.
1. Hydroquinone lightens the color of the skin areas to which it is applied by killing off the melanin-making cells – the melanocyte. It is also the active ingredient in ‘face-off creams for freckles, age spots, etc.
Historical background: Hydroquinone was first used in the thirties. Some of the African-American employees found that spots of discoloration appeared on their skin.
The terms skin whitening, skin lightening, and skin bleaching cover a variety of cosmetic methods used in an attempt to whiten or lighten the skin.
Skin lightening or whitening is an extremely controversial topic as it is closely intertwined with the detrimental effects on health, identity, self-image, racier supremacy, and colonial mentality.
There is evidence to prove that most types of skin-whitening products use active ingredients (such as mercurous chloride) and hydroquinone which are certainly extremely harmful and cause skin cancer. Hydroquinone has now been banned in Europe and in many other countries can only be prescribed by a doctor for certain skin conditions.
In Asian and African countries including The Gambia, banned chemicals are still being used in skin lightening creams, and can be them in every corner in this country and even at Banjul and Serekunda Marked as cheap as D15.
The association with beauty, skin bleaching has become extremely popular. Every human has a desire to feel and is perceived as beautiful, and as such my concerns as a medical professional about how to discourage people from it.
It seems like an uphill battle to me–trying to convince the women in my everyday clinic to stop destroying their beautiful black skin when the color cards are stacked up against them.
Skin cancer is reported as one of the major causes of death amongst bleachers and therefore it is just a matter of time before we have a full-blown epidemic on our hands. We must therefore strive to change behavior by addressing physical, mental, and symbolic remnants of light-skinned superiority and dark-skinned inferiority which contributes to low self-esteem and confidence.
The solution to the problem lies in the need to examine what is being done nationally to increase and inspire confidence about the beauty of the black skin and denounce the age-old belief/ saying, “Nutten Black nuh Good!”
People also ask: Is bleaching your skin bad? These are the answers
There is no health benefit to skin bleaching. Results aren’t guaranteed and there’s evidence that skin lightening can result in serious side effects and complications. From a medical standpoint, there’s no need to lighten the skin.
Is skin bleaching permanent?
Applied together, these two compounds halt melanin production in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. In concentrated doses over time, these preparations can actually cause permanent discoloration of the skin, typically Gray, blue and purple spots.
Why is bleaching your skin bad
Some people apply skin lightener to their entire body to change their complexion, but this can be very risky. The active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury, so bleaching can lead to mercury poisoning. Mercury is a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological, and kidney problems
What are the disadvantages of skin bleaching
Skin bleaching techniques could have serious side effects and complications like inflammation (swelling and redness), skin irritation, or burning and itchy skin.
Can I apply bleach on pimples?
Bleaching makes the skin sensitive and sun rays can aggravate the sensitivity. Do not apply bleach on your wounds and acne.
How long does skin bleaching last?
And the darker the PIH, the longer it will probably take to bleach things back to normal. Even purplish discoloration may take up to 6 months to resolve. Deeper, dark brown skin discoloration can take more than a year.
Which food is good for skin whitening
10foods that will brighten your skin
Eggs. Eating an egg, a day is definitely a good thing.
Pineapples. This tropical delight is one of our favorite fruits around. …
Lemons. When life gives you lemons, take them! Tomatoes. Keep your skin feeling tight and bright just by eating this red fruit. Avocados. Garlic. Walnuts. Spinach.
What to apply on face before sleeping
Before you go to sleep and after you wash your face, apply a generous amount of honey onto your face and wait for a little over half an hour and wash it off before you take off to sleep. The cleansing qualities of honey can work wonders and help you get that glowing skin.
Can I put milk on my face overnight?
Yes, you can. In fact, you should leave a layer of milk on your face overnight to get a glowing face in the morning. … Milk contains fats and helps to retain moisture when used topically, so it can help you age gracefully.
If you’re not convinced that skin-lightening products that contain hydroquinone are best avoided, consider that hydroquinone has already been banned for sale in the European Union, Australia, and Japan.
Perhaps the real issue here is the lack of encouragement that our society offers to people who feel badly about their physical appearances. There never seems to be a shortage of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and other salespeople who encourage people to change or hide what they don’t like about their looks.
The most popular bleaching creams contain 4% hydroquinone, a severely toxic and very powerful chemical also used in photo-processing and rubber products that can destroy the outer layer of the skin. However, cosmetic creams or treatments containing hydroquinone have been completely banned in the UK since 2001 and are illegal to supply unfortunately not in the Gambia.
Legal in the Gambia, despite cancer potential
Hydroquinone, a product used in some skin bleaching agents, could have dangerous health consequences. But in The Gambia use of hydroquinone in over-the-counter allowed.
Colorism isn’t limited to any one ethnic group. Many in Africa are using bleaching cream to lighten their skin because they associate lighter skin with beauty. Despite attempts by the Ghanaian government to ban it, skin bleaching is on the rise.
chemicals that are linked to weakened immune systems, organ failure, and even death.
At-home treatment
The following are some at-home treatments that may help fade or remove sunspots on your face:
Aloe vera. Studies have found that aloes intrusted Source and aloin, which are active compounds found in aloe vera plants, can lighten
Vitamin C. This natural antioxidant has several benefits when it comes to your skin and the sun. Topical L-ascorbic acid protects your
Vitamin E. A diet rich in vitamin Entrusted Source, and taking a vitamin E supplements, offers protection against sun damage and can improve your skin’s health, especially when taken together with vitamin C. Applying vitamin E oil provides even more benefits for your skin against sun damage and may help lighten sunspots.
vinegar. Acetic acid, which is found in apple cider vinegar, may help lighten skin pigmentation and improve the overall appearance of your skin.
Green tea. Some websites suggest that applying green tea bags to the skin can help fade sunspots. While there isn’t any scientific evidence specifically on the effectiveness of green tea bags, green tea extract has been shown to have a depigmenting effect Trusted Source.
