Facts About Skin Lightening Products

The demand for skin lightening products has increased and is still on the rise. People use skin lighteners for various reasons: to fix skin discoloration problems, age spots, and scars left by acne and other skin-related issues that leave scars. They are also used by naturally dark people who want lighter skin.

Skin lighteners are also called whiteners, bleaching creams, fading creams or skin brighteners. They are used to treat skin discoloration and even out skin color.

How They Work

The pigment that gives the skin its color, melanin, is suppressed. Melanin is responsible for the skin’s color; lighter complexion means less melanin and darker complexion means more melanin. It protects the skin from damage on exposure to harmful substances. Skin lighteners work by inhibiting melanin in the area where they are applies giving off a lighter color. They are available over the counter and by prescription. Over-the-counter skin lighteners are regulated at 2% hydroquinone; anything more than that is considered unsafe. However, for prescription, dermatologists can prescribe up to 4-6% at the doctor’s discretion.

Are They Safe

Skin lighteners come with some risks: majority of them have Mercury as their active ingredient so bleaching can lead to Mercury poisoning especially when used with the intent of changing the entire skin color. Mercury is a toxic agent which makes constant use of bleaching creams unwise. Because you’d be exposing your skin and whole body to damage. It can also lead to psychological, neurological, and kidney problems. A pregnant woman who uses bleaching cream stands the risk of passing on Mercury poisoning to her unborn child.

The Risks Involved

Apart from Mercury poisoning, other risks involved with the use of skin lighteners include:
• Skin lighteners have damaging effects on collagen, the protein that gives the skin its elasticity, which can result in premature aging.
• They inhibit melanin and expose the skin to damage from sun and other heat sources. Constant use poses a higher risk of skin cancer.
• Some skin lighteners contain steroids which can result in infections, skin thinning, slow wound healing, acne, and other skin-related illnesses. Steroids in themselves carry their own health problems related to steroids absorption when applied to large areas of skin.
• Constant use of skin lighteners compromise the skin’s resilience and ability to fight against infections and damage.
• They cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
• They can result in unwanted skin discoloration.

How to Use

Before you start to use bleaching creams:

• Speak with your doctor and get directions on which product to use and how to use it.
• Read the labels; make sure Mercury is not listed as one of the ingredients.
• If you’re going without prescription, make sure the product contains only 2% hydroquinone. If it doesn’t say how much, don’t assume it is 2%. Go for one that explicitly says 2% hydroquinone.

Our skin-lightening products at “Cocci Beauty” are doctor-certified and safe for use, but medical supervision is advised.

Article credit : Cocci Beauty