7 Excellent Reasons To Stop Skin Bleaching

Samba Seck
ILLUMINATION
Published in
7 min readJul 2, 2022
Beautiful Young Black Woman Profile Face on Brown Background. From Canva

Skin bleaching has become a public health priority because of its widespread use. It has become so widespread that it should be considered a disease in its own right.

This practice has become a medical concern because of the medical complications that can result from its use.

The use of skin whitening products has also resulted in an economic cost as people continue to use them to mask visible skin damage.

The dangers of skin whitening products have long been known. For years, manufacturers of products promising a lighter complexion have been accused of causing all sorts of skin damage and cancers.

But the lure of a lighter complexion has proven too strong for millions to resist, and sales of these products show no signs of slowing down. Despite the known health risks, many people still seem willing to risk their health for a lighter complexion.

Skin whitening products contain hydroquinone, steroids, or mercury, all of which have serious side effects. These creams, ointments, and gels should not be available over the counter as they can cause more harm than good.

Here are 7 great reasons to stop taking skin bleaching.

Skin Whitening Increases The Risk Of Cancer

Skin whitening products can also cause permanent damage to your skin. With prolonged use, bleaching products can cause irreversible damage to the skin. The irony is that they can make your skin darker.

Studies have shown that the use of skin lightening products can increase the risk of skin cancer by 2 to 3 times. They can even make your skin darker than your natural color. The risk is high whether a person uses creams, gels, or ointments.

The use of these products has also been linked to the development of other skin cancers and skin disorders.

This is of particular concern because prolonged use of these products can reduce the number of melanin cells in the skin, which are needed to provide natural protection from the sun.

The most commonly used ingredients in skin whitening products are hydroquinone, which is a skin bleaching agent, and steroids, which are used to lighten acne scars and wrinkles. Both of these ingredients have been shown to damage the skin and can cause a number of other health problems.

These products can damage your skin, causing it to become dry, oily, or covered in patches. The skin is damaged because the ingredients in bleaching products destroy the skin’s natural protective barrier.

The result is dry, damaged skin that is easy to spot. In addition, the ingredients in bleaching products can cause an increase in the volume of the skin’s oil glands, resulting in oily skin.

The use of skin whitening products can also lead to premature aging and wrinkling. Over time, the use of these products can destroy the skin’s natural protective layer, collagen, which is responsible for the firmness and youthfulness of the skin. This can lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles much earlier than normal.

Skin Bleaching Products Can Damage Your Liver

Using skin whitening products can not only damage your skin but also your liver. Hydroquinone, one of the most commonly used ingredients in skin whitening products, has been shown to damage the liver over time.

This can increase the risk of developing liver problems later in life, even liver failure, as this compound, is highly toxic to the liver.

Hydroquinone use has also been linked to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disease is caused by the body trying to metabolize the compound and convert it into energy, which causes swelling and inflammation of the liver.

Other over-the-counter whitening products contain ingredients that can damage the liver, such as mercury and aluminum salts.

It Creates A High Risk Of Birth Defects

The use of skin whitening products can also damage the mother’s skin and cause the amniotic sac, which surrounds the baby in the womb, to rupture.

Amniotic fluid can then leak into the mother’s bloodstream, which can lead to a number of health problems, including miscarriage and fetal death.

Black and white photo of a pregnant woman — From Canva

Hydroquinone use has been shown to increase the risk of having a child with a number of birth defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly. This is of particular concern because these are conditions that are unlikely to be detected during pregnancy.

These products can also cause other types of birth defects, such as cleft palate and hydrocephalus, as well as webbed fingers or toes.

This risk is higher in teens and young adults because their bodies are still developing and are more vulnerable to birth defects.
The risk created by skin bleaching is of particular concern because many whitening products are available without a prescription.

Skin Whitening Causes Severe Allergic Reactions

Many ingredients used in skin whitening products can cause allergic reactions. This is of particular concern because many of the ingredients used in skin whitening products are stronger than those used in makeup, which can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Some of these ingredients can cause rashes, itching, and swelling. In some cases, users of these products have experienced swelling of the lips, throat, and tongue, as well as difficulty breathing.

Some users have also experienced allergic reactions in other parts of the body, such as the genital area, which also causes itching, swelling, and rashes.

Artificial Depigmentation Creates Hormonal Problems

Many of the ingredients used in skin whitening products have been shown to have an effect on the body’s hormones. This can upset your hormonal balance and cause you to produce too much or too little of certain hormones.

Some of the ingredients used in skin whitening products can disrupt your hormonal balance, which can have a number of consequences for your health.

These hormonal problems can include the thyroid gland, such as an increase in thyroid hormone production, which can lead to an increase in the size of the gland and the development of symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, as well as an increase in the rate of metabolism.

This includes the development of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. PCOS is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones and is characterized by irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and weight gain.

The use of skin whitening products can also cause an increase in estrogen levels in the body. This is of particular concern because estrogen has been shown to affect the development of breast cancer and other estrogen-sensitive cancers.

Products containing hydroquinone have been shown to disrupt the body’s hormones by inhibiting testosterone production. This can lead to symptoms such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.

The use of skin whitening products containing potent ingredients can also increase the risk of developing high levels of the sex hormone testosterone. This is of particular concern because the use of these products has been shown to increase the risk of developing diseases such as polycythemia.

High levels of testosterone can increase the risk of developing conditions such as polycythemia, which is a condition characterized by an excessive amount of red blood cells in the blood. This can cause the blood to become thicker and more viscous, which can increase the risk of blood clots and the development of a clot in the lung.

Also, if blood pressure drops rapidly, it can increase the risk of heart problems and stroke. Research has also shown that high levels of testosterone may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer and other hormone-sensitive cancers.

Skin Bleaching Products Create Vision Problems

Using skin whitening products can damage your eyes and cause problems such as conjunctivitis, cataracts, and glaucoma. The most common side effect of using skin whitening products is conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane that covers the white part of the eye.

This condition can cause tearing, redness, and irritation. In some cases, the membrane covering the white part of the eye may ulcerate. Over time, the eye may lose its flexibility, which can lead to other eye problems.

Skin Whitening Is Simply A Costly Addiction

There is evidence that the use of skin whitening products can be addictive. Some people find that they have to use the products every day to get the desired results. As a result, they may develop feelings of compulsion and become dependent on the products.

You may feel that you are dependent on using the products. You may feel the need to use the products every day. You may feel the need to use larger amounts of products than you originally intended to use.

You may also find that it is difficult to stop using the products, even if you want to.

It can become a regular habit, which can make it difficult to stop using the products even when you want to. As with other forms of addiction, this can turn into a compulsion, which can be difficult to control.

hand palms damaged by skin whitening products — Photo by AIIDA

Like any habit, using skin whitening products can become costly. For example, some people spend large amounts of money on skin whitening products every month.

However, because of its serious health consequences, the use of skin whitening products has become a public health priority. This is of particular concern as the use of these products is becoming increasingly common.

Last Words

Skin whitening products often make claims about their ability to rejuvenate the skin. Some advertisers claim that their products can significantly lighten skin tone without causing adverse effects.

Skin whitening products are often advertised as “natural” and “organic,” but it’s important to know what these terms mean. These products often contain ingredients such as hydroquinone, which can damage the skin.

The sale of skin whitening products should simply be banned.

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Note: I support AIIDA, the International Association for Information on Artificial Depigmentation). Learn about the team and the important work they do. Help us move forward and win some battles.

AIIDA has been fighting to make skin whitening a public health priority for over two decades. They have a great team of experts ready to help you make it a thing of the past.

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Samba Seck
ILLUMINATION

Dad. Pan-Africanist. Currently working on 🌍🌟 Africana Fest: The Ultimate Celebration of Africa and Its Diaspora 🌟🌍 https://www.africanafest.com/