Skin Lightening is something that has been around since the ancient days believe it or not. It is nothing new, people have mixed views when it comes to skin lightening. The reason being is that there is a dark side to skin lighten that has been seen in the media and in certain cultures. Many influential celebrities have altered the color of their skin the name of “beauty”which has also sparked an increase in the number of people wanting to do the same.
Skin Lightening For Beauty
Some cultures feel that lighter skinned individuals are more attractive and are in a better position to be successful within society. As a result people try to aspire to achieve this lighter skin tone, even though they may not have any skin conditions, which may need to be treated using skin lightening products. For example, in many parts of Africa and the Caribbean people use harsh and abrasive methods to achieve lighter skin. Some people mix different skin lightening creams and create different concoctions that can be extremely toxic.
Thus, damaging their skin permanently or even disfiguring themselves all in the name of being “beautiful”.
These toxic lightening products can lead to serious skin conditions like:
Skin Lightening To Treat Certain Skin Conditions
There is another group of people who are using these lightening products to treat ligitmate skin conditions. But the problem is that they are doing it in unsafe way. They are often using the same toxic and abrasive methods used by people doing it for “beauty”.
Lets take a look at some skin conditions that are treated with skin lightening products :
Skin Lightening Safely
When trying to treat skin conditions or even just for beauty, the bottom line is that it should be done safely to prevent any harm being caused to the skin. I highly recommend consulting a dermatologist to explore your options, if you are not able to do so it is best to use all natural lightening products to treat your condition.
Unsafe Lightening Agents
Hydroquinone or HQ is a chemical agent that is used to lighten the skin although it is very effective, it can cause hyperpigmentation when someone stops using it and it also darkens the knuckles and joints. Most people who use products with HQ have dark knuckles and feet etc.
Mercury is another skin lightening agent, it has been around for years and has serious effects on the human body. It causes several mental disorders as well as kidney issues.
Topical Steroids are also used to lighten the skin and are toxic because topical steroids can lead to hypertension, elevated blood sugar and suppression of the body’s natural steroids. Some side effects, like stretch marks, may be permanent.
Safe Lightening Agents
There some safe natural lightening Agents that are pretty effective that are used in many all natural products on the market.
Sepiwhite
Kodjic Acid
Licorice Extract
Mulberry
Bearberry Extract
Tumeric
There are many other ingredients these are some examples.
I will be reviewing an all natural skin lightening line called Tonique they offer a wide range of products to treat skin conditions that require the use of lightening Agents. You can also use their line if you are just looking for a safe way to lighten your skin for beauty purposes as well.
Oh my God! Flo like I always say, you are one very intelligent lady. I love the way you broke it all down. I always tell people you can recognise people usijgbthese bleaching creams from those that are not. Meanwhile the results varies, however i always tell people especially friends that see me and feel like I have a good skin and want to know what I use, I come up straight and say I don’t use bleaching creams. Anything HQ isn’t for me cos my skin is sensitive and will burn from anything too harsh. Most people still won’t believe that I use natural lightening products becos it doesn’t work fast for them forgetting with natural products it’s a process and u have to be patient to get good results. Thanks for this very intellectual post.