Barbara

SAFE SKIN BLEACHING People bleach their skin for various reasons. The urge to conform to a set beauty standard in the society is the main cause of skin bleaching among women of color. Other people bleach their skin for medical reasons. Despite the numerous campaigns against this vice, these women are still bleaching. Greedy, money-minded people have taken advantage of these women by flooding the market with dangerous skin bleaching products. Unsafe synthetic products have been linked to skin cancer. It is more meaningful to advocate for safe skin bleaching, since this trend is not stopping soon. Natural products are always considered safe due to their mildness on the skin and their ability to absorb UV rays. What is safe: 1.Citric acid can be found in lemons and orange peels. It is a very effective natural skin bleaching with less irritation and burns. Squeeze out the juice and apply on the skin. Leave it on for about 15 minutes then wash it off with warm water. There are also available commercial products in the market that contain citric acid. 2. Kojic Acid is extracted from a fungus found in Asia. Safe commercial products contain kojic acid as the main ingredient. It has long term effects as it penetrates deep inside the skin and inhibits melanin production. Kojic acid can be used on sensitive skin. 3. Lactic Acid occurs naturally in sour milk or yoghurt. This is safe to use and easily accessible. Body peels containing lactic acid are great for uneven skin tone and dark spot removal. When used topically, one achieves a lighter skin tone over time. 4. Ascorbic Acid also known as vitamin C, can reduce hyperpigmentation, leading to a fair skin tone. Vitamin C enables production of new skin cells. Overexposure to the sun and prolonged use of harsh chemicals can be remedied using ascorbic acid. What is unsafe: 1. Hydroquinone has been banned across the world after research linked it to skin cancer. However, it is still found in the market in low amounts. This is because it is still used by some dermatologists in amounts of 2% to cure severe cases of melasma, which is skin discoloration that occurs during pregnancy. Note that it is only used when it’s absolutely necessary, and on prescription for a short period of time. Hydroquinone abuse results to skin damage, such that the skin is no longer protected against harmful UV rays. This exposes it to cancer. 2. Mercury was the main ingredient in many skin lightening products up until it was found to be toxic. This synthetic product inhibits melanin production, but when used for a long period of time, it can result in permanent darkening of the skin and aging. Natural products are not as popular as the synthetic ones because they take longer to bleach the skin. Hydroquinone typically bleaches the skin in a span of one week as compared to lemon juice which takes around three weeks to see results. However, the benefits of natural products despite the long waiting period outweigh the risks of the synthetic products.