Skin lightening products are used to treat skin conditions such as blemishes, uneven skin tone, age spots, freckles, and scarring due to acne. These products are also used by people who want a lighter tone to their naturally darker skin.
Although many people use skin lightening products, they also carry risks and have possible side effects. Before buying a product, do research. This article is a good place to start!
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How Do Skin Lightening Products Work?
Melanin is a pigment that is produced by melanocytes, a group of specialized cells. Your skin tone or colour is determined by the amount of melanin. A person with darker skin has more melanin than someone with fairer skin.
The amount of melanin you have is genetically predisposed. Some people have conditions that cause imbalances in skin tone whereby some areas look lighter than the rest. People who are prone to acne often have unsightly scarring on areas of their skin. Of course, the elderly will eventually exhibit age spots over time.
The Effect Of Sun And Resulting Damage
For the reason that it is constantly exposed, skin problems can become a source of insecurity. People with skin problems seek different forms of treatment such as sun bathing, tanning beds, and visits to their dermatologist and skin clinics to have their condition resolved.
Can exposure to sunlight, hormone levels, and the application of certain chemicals affect your production of melanin? Yes, they can. That is why companies have manufactured skin lightening products.
Skin lightening products work by decreasing the amount of melanin produced in the areas where it is applied. They are usually sold as bleaching creams, brighteners, and skin lightening lotion.
Skin lightening products are popularly used to treat conditions like acne scars, age spots, freckles, and hormone-related discolouration. They are also used for purely cosmetic purposes. There are people with naturally dark skin; no problems whatsoever, who just want to have lighter-toned or fairer skin.
Skin Bleaching
In contrast, skin bleaching is used to even out imbalances in skin tone. Skin bleaching can be carried out by a cosmetologist or with the use of over-the-counter bleaching creams. Based on your skin type, a doctor may prescribe a specific skin bleaching cream.
Like all chemical-based products, skin lighteners carry a risk and possible side effects. Before buying any product, it would be wise to conduct preliminary research. Read the label and take note of the ingredients used in making the skin lightening product. Find out from your doctor if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
The Risks Of Using Skin Lightening Products
As we discussed earlier, always read the label of a skin lightening or bleaching product before buying it. The ingredients used to make the product may be harmful to your skin.
For example, some skin lightening products use mercury as its active ingredient. Mercury is a toxic ingredient. It can result in mercury poisoning. In some cases, the use of mercury can result in neurological and psychiatric problems. There have been reports that mercury can damage your liver.
Mercury
It is absolutely important for pregnant women to avoid using products that contain mercury. They might pass on the mercury to their unborn child. The United States has banned the use of mercury as an ingredient in skin lightening and bleaching products. However, the same cannot be said in skin lightening products that are manufactured in other countries.
According to a study, 25% of skin lightening products that originate from Asia contain mercury.
In the United States, most skin lightening products use hydroquinone as its main ingredient. Hydroquinone is a chemical that is regulated by the FDA. An OTC skin lightening product should only contain no more than 2% hydroquinone.
For skin lightening products that are prescribed by the doctor, the hydroquinone content can be higher at 4% to 6%. Always consult with your doctor before using a skin lightening product with hydroquinone.
Some skin lightening products contain steroids and retinoic acid. Other brands may use natural ingredients like kojic acid which is derived from a fungus and arbutin which is a substance found in many plants.
Here is a rundown of the potential risks and side effects of using skin lightening products:
- Premature skin aging.
- Increase risk of acquiring skin cancer. If you put on a skin lightening product, wear sunscreen before going under the sun.
- Steroids are drugs. The use of steroids can increase the risk of getting skin infections, acne, thinning of the skin, and may affect the healing process of existing wounds.
- Steroids can be absorbed by the body through the skin.
- The use of hydroquinone may lead to ochronosis which is an untreatable skin condition.
- Even the use of natural ingredients can lead to skin irritation and unwanted allergic reactions.
Conclusion
Skin lightening products can damage your skin and lead to health problems. Here are a few things you should consider before using a skin lightening product:
- Consult with your doctor before buying any skin lightening product. He/she may recommend a specific brand and give instructions on proper use.
- Read the label and make sure that it does not contain mercury. Some manufacturers list mercury as “calomel’, “mercuric”, “mercurous” and “mercurio”.
- If an OTC skin lightening product contains hydroquinone, it should not exceed 2%.
- If the OTC skin lightening product does not specify the amount of hydroquinone, do not assume that it is safe. There is a possibility that the manufacturer purposely did not list the amount of hydroquinone in order to get past regulations.
Do not hesitate to ask questions about the use of skin lightening products with your doctor or dermatologist. It is possible that they may recommend another form of skin lightening treatment for you.