Skin bleaching, also known as skin lightening, is the deliberate lightening of an individual’s skin tone without medical supervision.
Many products that claim to lighten skin tone are not safe. According to the International Journal of DermatologyTrusted Source, skin bleaching poses a serious public health threat because many contain mercury, which is a toxic heavy metal.
Hydroquinone and niacinamide are safer options. However, there is no guarantee they will lighten the complexion evenly.
Researchers connect racism to the trend for skin bleaching. When people believe that only lighter skin is attractive, they may become unhappy with their own appearance. This can affect mental health.
The causes are complex, multifactorial and often intertwined, although the unifying themes centre around a belief that lighter skin denotes an individual of higher status, socioeconomic background or physical beauty, than their darker-skinned counterpart.
Skin lightening is achieved using agents that block the production of melanin and often contain drugs such as hydroquinone, superpotent topical steroids or mercury.
These drugs can cause serious local and systemic complication. Skin-lightening compounds are illegal in most countries throughout the world; however the industry is worth billions of dollars annually, and the agents can be easily obtained by individuals seeking to lighten their skin.
Dermatologists are in a unique position to identify those at risk of using skin-bleaching agents, manage complications and give advice on the physiological variation in pigmentation and how to avoid using skin-lightening agents to treat dermatological conditions.
Causes
Social and cultural factors: Skin bleaching is rooted in racist ideologies of white supremacy and nonwhite inferiority.
Media: Media can reinforce the idea that lighter skin is more beautiful.
Psychological factors: People may use skin bleaching to cope with psychological needs and desires.
Agents used
Hydroquinone: A drug that blocks melanin production
Superpotent topical steroids: A drug that blocks melanin production
Mercury: A drug that blocks melanin production
Complications
- Skin thinning
- Atypical fungal infections
- Internal diseases
- Serious negative effects on mental health
Skin-bleaching compounds are illegal in most countries.
Skin bleaching has existed for hundreds of years.
Dermatologists often provide advice and safe treatment options for lightening smaller areas of skin.
However, the term “skin bleaching” usually refers to overall skin lightening, which is not something dermatologists support. This practice aims to lighten the whole complexion, changing a person’s skin tone.
Skin bleaching is very common worldwide. A 2018 meta-analysisTrusted Source and meta-regression study that included 68 studies and 67,665 participants in total found that 27.7% had tried to bleach their skin.
A report by the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source estimates that, by 2024, the skin bleaching industry will be worth $31.2 billion
Source- (Medical News)
