In order to make the skin dark and protect it from UV radiation, the melanin formed has to be transported to the upper layers of the skin. All the particles of melanin are then arranged in order. This transfer process depends on the movement of a number of cells, and also expends energy. Some bleaching agents act by preventing this from happening. This means that while the melanin is formed, it is not transported to the upper layer of the skin. This is usually a continuous process since melanin that is already in the upper layers of the skin is regularly lost when skin naturally sloughs off.
If this process is inhibited, the skin will get lighter with time, since the existing melanin will be lost but not replaced. The pigment that darkens the skin can also be destroyed by chemical agents that can be found in some skin bleaching products, leading to a lighter skin tone.
Alternatively, the cells that produce the melanin, known as melanocytes, can also be damaged and therefore not produce any melanin. An ideal bleaching agent should not only destroy the surface melanin without affecting any other system, since the melanocytes will simply increase the rate at which the melanin is formed to replace them.
This is why it is common to find that skin bleaching agents which target the melanin directly also influence another part of the system, such as transport of melanin to the surface or production of the melanin. Every bleaching product contains two main chemicals, Hydroquinone and mercury, both are toxic. Hydroquinone is a chemical used for photo processing and hair dyes.
It is also used in the rubber industry as an antioxidant. Mercury is another product often used in some cosmetic products as a bleaching agent. Incredibly toxic, it can cause skin to go grey or blue black, rather than lighter, and in many cases has resulted in the user suffering from mercury poisoning.
Mercury is also a carcinogen. These products both work in the short term to lighten the skin by stopping the production of melanin in the body. The more melanin you have in your body, the darker your skin. Doctors suggest that the two toxic chemicals, Hydroquinone and mercury, react with ultraviolet rays and ironically lead to more pigmentation and premature aging.
The more this product is used, the less melanin the body produces, and this leads to an increased risk for skin cancer. Also, continued use of hydroquinone, will roughen the skin, making it look like an uneven patch of colours with a patchy appearance. The creams that lighten the skin for longer than other products result in less use. For instance, you might find that such a product needs to be applied only once a week, whereas another product needs to be used daily in order to produce the desired effect.
Since the skin bleaching creams are not permanent, it means that if you are interested in having your original skin tone back, all you have to do is to stop using the cream.
Typically, when one starts using such creams, it takes a few days for the effects to be noticeable. Likewise, when you stop using the cream, your skin will darken gradually over a few days rather than instantly.
If you decide to use skin bleaching creams and want to have lighter skin for a long time, you could opt products that need application more frequently, and simply make it part of your daily routine to use the cream.
The most important issue is to get a cream manufactured by a trusted vendor. Image source, Getty Images. The seizure of products from a store in Dagenham, some of which contained hydroquinone. Ingredients were listed incorrectly and failed to meet EU regulations. It also saw what is believed to be the UK's first jail sentence for the sale of dangerous skin lightening products A quarter of a tonne of illegal skin lightening products were seized at Gatwick Airport after arriving from Cameroon.
Samples were found to contain hydroquinone. Related Topics. Cosmetics Local Government Association. People who use it on large areas of the body or on the entire body are more likely to develop EO. Steroid acne: Skin bleaching creams that contain corticosteroids can cause steroid acne. Steroid acne mostly affects the chest, but can also show up on the back, arms, and other parts of the body with long-term use of corticosteroids.
Nephrotic syndrome: This is a kidney disorder often caused by damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys responsible for filtering waste and excess water. It causes your body to excrete too much protein in your urine. Skin lightening creams containing mercury have been associated with nephrotic syndrome. Please enable JavaScript! Bitte aktiviere JavaScript!
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