Over the last few decades, there has been a fascination about having whiter skin that has now led to obsession. People are now all about finding ways of whitening their skin. Fair-skinned people keep tanning their skin while dark-skinned people want to have fairer skin.
Skin bleaching remains popular today. This is despite the fact that it is not the safest way for one to achieve a fairer and whiter skin. Fact is there are safe skin bleaching products to use. The key lies in knowing the ingredients stated in the label and which actually works and which harms the skin.
The Most Common Ingredient
The most common ingredient in most skin bleaching products is hydroquinone which aims to lighten dark patches of skin including melasma, hyperpigmentation, freckles, age spots, and even liver spots. Our skin is our first line of defense and is therefore the first to be affected whenever we go out and get ourselves exposed to various environmental factors.
However, hormonal changes and/or supplements can also take its toll on our skin. Hydroquinone is a famous skin whitening agent that acts by suppressing the production of melanin. The tricky part here is that melanin is our skin’s natural protection against the sun’s harmful rays, therefore, exposing us to even more skin damage.
Hydroquinone may also cause permanent and irreversible damage to the connective tissue as it can penetrate deeply. Some skin bleaching products claim that hydroquinone helps erase early signs of aging while some say that it can cause more damage if used incorrectly.
The Truth About Skin Bleaching
There are a lot of myths and notions about skin bleaching products that goes around the internet today. This causes a great deal of confusion among those who would want to try it out for the hopes of having a fairer skin. Here are some facts to help you decide if you are suitable for skin bleaching:
1. Not all skin bleaching products are harmful.
Like what we have said above, carefully inspect the list of ingredients and do your research. What likely results to skin damage is improper use. Remember that you are dealing with chemicals. Your safest bet here is to use an all-natural bleaching cream.
2. Never expose yourself directly to sun’s harmful rays when applying skin bleaching products.
This is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. As most ingredients in skin bleaching products suppress melanin, the skin is more prone to damage from environmental factors.
3. Skin bleaching is not the only effective way to have fairer skin.
There are a lot of other ways how to effectively achieve a fairer-looking skin. Some of them include using sunscreen, protecting the skin, moisturizing, eating skin-healthy foods, and of course enough sleep to make your skin glow from within.
Skin bleaching and skin whitening have truly gained popularity over the recent decades and they will probably continue to do so in the future. However, one must not forget the benefits of having the skin color you are born with. Do not go for a whiter skin just because it is what is in today.
