What Are the Dangers of Skin Whitening?
Chemically-derived skin whitening products can be dangerous--even deadly--if they are not used properly. The most common mistake in the use of skin whitening products is continual use, long after the desired effect has been achieved. Such prolonged exposure to the toxic whitening chemicals have the potential to produce side effects such as discoloration, internal organ disease and even skin cancer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Mercury
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The immediate side effects of mercury-based products include rashes and skin irritation. The long-term effects, however, are even more dangerous, and nearly impossible to reverse; continued exposure to mercury has been shown to cause brain damage, kidney problems, speech and hearing impediments, and damage to the nervous system.
Hydroquinone
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Hydroquinone-based products work to reduce the output of melanin, which is the substance in our skin the gives it color. By inhibiting the production of melanin, our skin's natural protection against UV rays is put into jeopardy, making us more susceptible to skin cancer. Due to its link to skin cancer, hydroquinone has been banned in various countries.
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Steroids, i.e. Clobetasol
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When steroids are an active ingredient in skin whitening products, the usage is often minimized to a few short weeks. Prolonged use of steroids, such as clobetasol, in topical skin creams can cause weight gain, stretch marks, inability to conceive, and in the most serious of cases, a malfunction of the adrenal glands, also known as Cushing's Disease.
Kojic and Azelaic Acid
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The use of kojic in skin whitening products is heavily debated because it is considered a carcinogen in excessive dosages. Kojix also tends to break down so easily that when it is exposed to air and oxygen, it quickly loses its effectiveness. Azelaic acid is a similarly naturally occurring chemical compound that has dynamic short-term skin clearing effects. The danger of both lies in the fact that we currently know very little about the long-term effects they may have on our bodies.
A Solution
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Skin whitening is driven globally by social or cultural conceptions of beauty. While it is very difficult to break the mindset of "whiter is beautiful," better education about the harmful ingredients that can be found in skin whitening products can go a long way in preventing scary long-term illnesses. And if social or cultural norms are not the driving factor, a better long-term solution to this issue is to stay clear of such products and learn to be happy in your own skin.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mary Paulose
