Why skin bleaching creams should be avoided like the plague

Skin bleaching is the use of chemical substances in an attempt to lighten the skin’s complexion by lessening the concentration of melanin. The word ‘bleaching’ refers to the removal of freckles, skin aging spots, scarping or uneven skin tone.Bleaching of the skin is common among young adults and even older people. Skin bleaching also called […]

Skin bleaching is the use of chemical substances in an attempt to lighten the skin’s complexion by lessening the concentration of melanin. The word ‘bleaching’ refers to the removal of freckles, skin aging spots, scarping or uneven skin tone.
Bleaching of the skin is common among young adults and even older people. Skin bleaching also called toning or lightening is usually practiced among dark-skinned people to obtain a lighter complexion. Light skinned people also use the chemicals to brighten their complexion.
Research has shown that medical practitioners over the years have cautioned against skin bleaching by outlining some of its adverse effects, but yet the issue remains. Many give their argument to continue bleaching, alluding it to age. Several chemicals have shown to be effective in skin whitening, while some have proved to be toxic or have questionable safety profiles. Bleaching creams work by stripping the skin of its natural pigmentation.
Some skin lightening creams contain hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that suppresses the production of melanin thereby reducing the skin’s natural protection against ultraviolet radiation, causing hazardous effects. The creams also contain mercury which is another toxin that causes cancer.
Even though bleaching creams lighten the skin, something some people find attractive, its disadvantages outweigh the advantages. People should listen to medical experts and maintain their natural skin color, as bleaching creams and soaps have harsh effects on the skin and cause many complications.
Mukaila is a 300-level student at the Department of Mass communication, University of Maiduguri.