Skin whitening continues to be a trend in various cultures, a trend that works to lighten the skin of those with dark complexions. In many cultures, this technique is used to help even out skin tones from medical conditions. Other cultures practice the art of skin whitening for purely cosmetic reasons. There are some risks involved with any form of skin bleaching, risks that anyone looking to this trend should work to understand.
With that being said, skin brightening practices are often the most dangerous, and for various reasons. Understanding the
different risks behind skin bleaching and the precautions that individuals should take will help you to be safe as you practice this technique.
Burns
Chemical burns are one of the many risks that people may deal with when trying to whiten their own skin. One of the ways that someone can burn themselves through skin whitening products is by over-use. Using too much product, when the product features high levels of an acid, can cause a chemical burn. This can cause permanent damage and can cause skin thinning and irritation that may last beyond the time of the treatment.
Skin whitening can also lead to a different type of burn: sun burn. Various skin whitening products work to remove the pigment from the skin and stop melanin production. This leaves the skin incredibly vulnerable, making it sensitive. Individuals who rely on these creams may burn in the sun easily, and will need to use a combination of both sun screen and long clothing to prevent any form of burning.
Discoloration
Many who are looking for skin bleaching over their entire body or large sections of their body are surprised by the results, or the lack thereof. Many of these skin bleaching products fail to bleach the skin evenly. The skin discoloration causes a large problem for these individuals, as these changes are often permanent. One such problem is known as hyperpigmentation – an issue that causes the body to create more melanin, the complete opposite of the intended effect.
The discoloration of the skin occurs for a variety of reasons, including the chemicals and agents that are used in the actual whitening products and the processes used during whitening procedures. Individuals should understand that skin whitening may not be consistent, causing the skin to appear blotchy.
Unsafe Chemicals
Hydroquinone is a popular ingredient in many different skin bleaching products. It is also considered to be unsafe. Hydroquinone has also been linked to cancer, and is banned in various countries. There are plenty of other unsafe chemicals that are found in various skin bleaching products, like steroids and mercury. These unsafe chemicals can cause a myriad of health problems for the body, ranging from skin problems to internal health issues.
Issues involving unsafe chemicals generally come into play in societies, cultures, and countries that have banned or barred the sale of these products. Individuals look to illegal sales of the products; these products are not regulated in any way. They will often feature unsafe chemicals or unsafe levels of chemicals that are known to be harmful. Because they are not regulated, they may not even list these chemicals on their list of ingredients.
If skin whitening is an important part of your culture or is the only way for you to deal with medical issues, know the risks. Understand the various problems that you may face with skin bleaching products and the long-lasting effects that the chemicals may have. When you are completely informed, you can make an educated decision as to whether or not skin bleaching is the right step for you to take for your skin.