Mina Beauty, Health & Lifestyle

Skin bleaching products come in different types of cosmetic products and in different forms. You can find bleaching products such as bleaching creams, bleaching soaps, bleaching pills, chemical peel treatments, and laser therapy treatments. All these are used to achieve one purpose, which is to lighten dark areas and to get a lighter complexion. Read related: How To Remove Dark Spots From Elbows And Knees Naturally Many skin bleaching product users can testify that skin bleaching has some side effects with no health benefits of skin bleaching. Today, many people have reasons to want to lighten their skin with no knowledge of how bleaching skin works or the side effects of skin bleaching products. Below is how skin bleaching products work. Skin bleaching, how it works and side effects How skin bleaching works These bleaching products work by decreasing the number of melanocytes in the skin like hydroquinone, this results in the skin lightening. By bleaching the skin, you reduce the production and concentration of melanin in the skin which is a pigment that is produced by melanocyte cells. Read also: Introduction To The Skin Care Guide Side effects of skin bleaching products The FDA has issued a notice on skin bleaching because of the effects of skin bleaching. Some of them include: Poisoning: Mercury poisoning can occur with the use of skin bleaching creams. Most bleaching creams contain mercury, a toxic ingredient used in skin bleaching products. Some of the symptoms of mercury poisoning include fatigue, kidney failure, numbness, HBP (high blood pressure), light sensitivity, memory loss, and tremor. Dermatitis: Skin bleaching products can cause contact dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin caused by skin bleaching product ingredients. Some of the symptoms include itching, swelling, hives, burning, dry skin, skin redness, and blisters. Read also: 10 Best Face Products for Dry Skin Exogenous ochronosis: This is a skin disorder caused by bleaching cremes that cause blue to black pigmentation. Usually caused by skin bleaching creme which contains ingredients like hydroquinone due to long term use. Using bleaching cream all over the body and for a long period can result in exogenous ochronosis. Steroid acne: The steroid acne is mostly caused by skin bleaching cremes that contain ingredients like corticosteroids. This is most noticeable on the back, arms, and chest of the user due to long term use. Some of the symptoms of steroid acne include large red lumps, whiteheads, blackheads, acne scars, and small red bumps. Nephrotic syndrome: This happens when there is damage to the blood vessels in the kidney. These blood vessels are responsible for removing waste and excess water like passing out too much protein through urine. Once there is damage, it causes kidney failure known as nephrotic syndrome. Some of the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include appetite loss, fatigue, swelling of eyes swollen ankles, foam in the urine, and swollen feet. Read also: Recommended Summer Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin Benefits of skin bleaching products Skin bleaching benefits do not mean its health benefits of skin bleaching, rather the outcome of using skin bleaching cream products. To minimize dark spots: Bleaching creams are used to reduce dark spots on the skin. These dark spots are caused by aging, hormonal changes, and sun damage. Bleaching skin creams are also used for melasma, freckles, post eczema, and sunspot discolorations. To reduce acne scars appearance: Skin bleaching products are used to treat acne scars that are left over after acne has healed. For an even skin tone: Bleaching skin treatments are used to even out skin tone caused by hyperpigmentation due to sun damage and also by freckles. Read also: Simple Overnight Beauty Tips Every Woman Needs to Know And Follow. How to apply skin bleaching products Most of these skin bleaching products have a manufacturer guide on how to use the bleaching creams. Whether it is bleaching products such as bleaching creams, bleaching soaps, bleaching pills, chemical peel treatments, and laser therapy treatments always read the label on how to use and follow instructions to avoid some of the side effects of skin bleaching products. Most skin lightening creams are applied once or twice a day on the affected area. The skin liightening pills are taken once a day. Direction: Apply sparingly with cotton pad or handsApply sunscreen to avoid UV exposureWash hands thoroughly after useAvoid contact with eyes, mouth, and noseAvoid skin to skin direct contact with others Read also: Stretch Marks Pregnancy, Causes, And Treatments Info Sources: fda.govgovinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2006-08-29/pdf/E6-14263.pdfnhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/skin-lightening/mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nephrotic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375608link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-016-0154-1