Skin Bleaching: Side Effects, Warnings And Safer Alternatives

One of the most common struggles these days is the quest to be a light-skinned girl or boy. This has made many to go for bleaching products such as bleaching creams, pills, soaps, and professional treatments with the use of laser therapy and chemical peels.

Unfortunately, little or no attention has been paid to the side effects most especially with chemicals that have been found to have ill health on humans.

You must know that there are no health benefits of bleaching your skin but if you are considering lightening your skin go for natural and organic product that has no health implications.

What does bleaching do to your body?

The melanin content in an individual varies due to genetic factor and people with dark skin has more melanin than does with light complexion. 

Melanin is a natural pigment produced by skin cells called melanocytes. These cells are the same in every human but some persons make more melanin than others. The color of your skin, hair, and eyes depends on the amount and type of melanin that you have.

When you use bleaching creams such as those that contain hydroquinone, it affects your melanin concentration by reducing it, making your skin to be lighter.

Bleaching Chemicals and Side effects

Many bleaching products have been banned in many countries because of the dangers and side effects that are associated with it.

A notice was also issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 to desist from over the counter (OTC) skin bleaching products that have not be proven to be safe for use.

Hydroquinone

This is one of the most common chemicals found in bleaching products which is a strong inhibitor of the production of melanin by melanocytes. Hence preventing the dark skin from retaining its skin color.

Side effects

This chemical is a probable cause of cancer. Studies show that hydroquinone was found to cause leukemia in mice and other animals. Other side effects include;

• Skin redness 
• Dryness
• Inflammatory reaction
• Dermatitis

Mercury

This is another chemical you need to watch out in your skin products as it is found in many skin whiteners. It is found in cream in the form of mercury (ii) chloride or ammoniated mercury (active ingredients).

Side effects

Skin whitening product with this chemical was banned in the USA (1990) and Europe in 1976. This chemical can accumulate in the skin gradually and result in serious negative effects in the long term.

Some signs that you are putting mercury on your skin are;

• Itching of the skin
• Feeling of rough and dry skin
• Muscle pain
• Weakness

Kojic Acid

This is another product to watch out for, though not very common in cosmetic ingredient formulation.

Kojic acid is gotten from the fermentation of malting rice which is used in the production of Japanese rice wine.

Studies have shown that kojic acid is also effective for inhibiting the production of melanin.

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Side Effects

This chemical is carcinogenic, causes skin irritation, and allergic contact dermatitis.

Safer Alternatives

Arbutin

One safe skin product chemical that can help you lighten up your skin is arbutin. It is gotten from the leaves of blueberry, cranberry, bearberry, and also found in pears.

It is a plant extract that has been medically proven to be safe for skin lightening.

Azelaic acid 

This is found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. It is also used to treat skin problems like acne as it kills acne bacteria that infect skin pores.

It can also be used for the treatment of skin pigmentation like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma especially in those with darker skin. 

Research has shown that it is safe for skin lightening and should be used instead of hydroquinone.

Niacinamide

Skin product containing niacinamide has been confirmed to be a much safer alternative for skin and genitalia whitening.

Niacinamide improves skin health by treating acne, increases skin moisture and help reduce wrinkles. 

Natural Home Remedies to Lighten your Skin

1. The regular use of papaya soap can help lighten your skin
2. Lemon juice and yogurt are excellent natural mild bleach that can help lighten your skin
3. The use of ground turmeric, olive oil and chickpea flour
4. Milk can also be used as it is a natural skin bleacher. 
5. The use of oatmeal and tomato juice 

Skin Bleaching: Side Effects, Warnings And Safer Alternatives

Raphael Okhueleigbe

Raphael Osas Okhueleigbe is a Blogger, Content creator, Agricultural Economist, Resource manager, and the founder of greener health.

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