Everyone has the freedom to do with their body as they wish, but with more and more women falling prey to harmful chemicals used for skin bleaching, the need to get informed becomes paramount.
Skin bleaching or skin lightening is the process of using chemical substances and products to lighten the skin by reducing melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin color. It can be done through creams, soaps, injections, or pills.
Although we often hear ‘black is beautiful,’ due to colorism and societal beauty standards that favor lighter skin, many women now resort to dangerous practices to become fairer.
According to a study by the WHO and cited by the Nigerian Journal of Dermatology, Nigeria has been described as the “world capital of skin bleaching” with a prevalence rate estimated at 77 percent among women, the highest number globally.
Whatever the cause of the popularity of bleaching, you should read up on these facts before following the trend.
1. Not all skin bleaching is bad
Contrary to popular opinion, not all skin bleaching or lightening is bad. A doctor can actually prescribe a bleaching cream for skin conditions such as melasma, severe acne, hyperpigmented scars, skin spots, and the like. There is nothing wrong with bleaching your skin if you do it the right way, follow the procedures, and use the right products.
2. Many products contain toxic ingredients
Hydroquinone, mercury, and steroids are some of the harmful ingredients that most bleaching creams are made from. Hydroquinone has been known to cause skin cancer, while mercury can cause damage to your liver, kidneys, and brain. Checking the list of ingredients your cream is made from is important.
3. Sunlight affects your skin
Bleaching reacts very much to sunlight, thereby leading to severe or permanent skin damage. If you are bleaching, you should avoid the sun’s rays as much as possible.
4. Using natural lightening products is better
Using lightening products made from natural ingredients saves you the heartache of dealing with health issues later. Since the ingredients are natural, their side effects are mild and heal easily compared to products made with laboratory ingredients.
5. It can be addictive
Some women become dependent on these products because stopping can cause the skin to darken or “rebound,” making users feel pressured to continue.
6. Skin bleaching has serious side effects
The risks associated with bleaching are very severe and can cause lifelong damage to its sufferers. Aside from the uneven skin tone that may come up, burns, risk of skin cancer, and issues with the internal organs, such as the kidneys, over time are some of the most complicated ones. So before you embark on your journey to fairer skin, make sure you consider the advantages and disadvantages first.