Dark Nigerian women today want to be fair skinned, the black beauty trend no longer exist, black ladies now go after beauty products to enhance skin colour.
The believe that fair or white skin portrays beauty as led to the massive use of bleaching cream by Nigerian women.
Beauty products today have soared in markets due to the growing demand. Creams, lotions, treatments are all available to enhance skin colour. However, what is not promoted is the harm that a lot of these products can do in the medium to long term.
Skin bleaching creams are used to lighten skin in specific areas that are affected by discoloration and pigmentation issues. Bleaching creams are used for the treatment of age spots, acne scars, or discoloration of skin as a result of hormonal changes. Because of the constant exposure to the sun, some areas like the face and hands tend to suffer from discoloration. However, in some cases people have even chosen to use a bleaching cream to lighten the skin tone on their entire body, but this is not advised. There are many techniques used to lighten skin, these include skin bleaching, using skin lightening creams, soaps, pills, laser treatments and even surgery.
Skin bleaching creams come under different names, some come as toners some whiteners, they all perform the same functions of suppressing the production of melanin.
The use of skin lightening products is dramatically on the increase amongst Nigerian women the hunger for a flawless and perfect fair skin is a major driving force for Nigerian women and even some men, the Nigerian skin has higher levels of melanin which helps to protect the skin against damaging ultra violet (UV) radiation. The use of these lighting or bleaching creams affects the production of melanin.
Hazardous components of lighting creams:
Hydroquinone – The most common bleaching ingredient used in skin lightening products Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching agent that is used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, age spots and acne scars. It is considered a possible carcinogen (a substance that encourages cells to develop cancer) Prolonged use of Hydroquinone based products will thicken collagen fibres damaging the connective tissues. The result is rough blotchy skin leaving it with a spotty cavier appearance.
Mercury – Many skin lightening creams have this chemical in them usually in the form of Mercury Chloride and Ammoniated Mercury, which is a carcinogenic. Toxic levels of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning which causes neurological and kidney damage, and may also lead to psychiatric disorders. In addition, it can lead to severe birth defects. Mercury will slowly accumulate within the skin cells striping the skin of it’s natural pigment leaving behind the tell tale signs of grey/blue pigmentation in the folds of the skin. In the long term the chemical will damage vital organs and lead to liver and kidney failure and mercury poisoning.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids – Commonly found in facial chemical peels, these are not ideal to be used without professional guidance. These should not be in anything you use at home regularly.
Arsenic – This is immediately thought of as “poison,” which is exactly what it is. Some skin lighteners do contain this as an ingredient.
Harmful Effects of Skin Whitening or Bleaching :
-Dark grey spots
-Skin cancer
-Acne
-Swelling of the skin
-Cataracts
-Increase in appetite and weight gain
-Osteoporosis
-Neurological and kidney damage due to high level of mercury used in the creams
-Psychiatric disorders
-Severe birth defects
-Asthma
-Liver damage
Some of these side effects could be seen almost immediately while some are seen after prolonged use of bleaching creams.
If you are suffering from the after effects of using whitening creams see a dermatologist. Appreciate your skin, love it and love yourself.
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