Knowledge, attitude and practice of skin whitening among. Cosmetic dermatology is no less intriguing than other issues. Using skin lightening products to get fairer skin continues to be a widespread phenomenon. Harmful effects of chemical skin bleaching and some safer alternatives. It isnt uncommon for the scalp to experience a certain sense of tingling as the bleaching solution comes into contact with the skin. Such products can be prescribed to treat hyperpigmentation disorders 1, but are more frequently used intentionally to lighten skin complexion. Just a few days back, i had written an article laser skin whitening a dream or nightmare where we discussed the harmful effects of skin whitening with laser treatments. Lemon juice and yogurt once a day is excellent mild bleach. While the history of skin bleaching can be traced to. Mental health effects of colorism in the black community mindpath care centers healthcare begins with mindcare if you have suspected coronavirus symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact your primary care provider for recommended next steps. In certain countries like india and philippines, commercials popularizing creams with skin whitening abilities take a big part of television airtime. The piece centred on skin bleaching ingredients, bleaching creams, causes of bleaching, and the adverse effects of bleaching.
Skin bleaching is used to treat discoloration of the skin, without changing skin color. Continuous application of skin bleaching creams can cause skin cancer or acne, or lead the skin to lose its elasticity, meaning skin with more wrinkles charles, 2003. The harmful effects of skin whitening creams september 26, 2006 cant help it but overheard 2 ladies in the airport lounge while on the way to manila for a lecture yesterday talking about how her skin became so white. Skin bleaching among african and afrocaribbean women in new. Some time ago, nigeria was declared the world capital of skin bleaching. Disorders of hyperpigmentation and skin lightening treatments have a significant impact.
Harmful ingredients present in skin whitening products. Apr 16, 2018 hydroquinone is a skinlightening agent. Follow all directions on the product package, or use as directed by your doctor. Skin bleaching is a widespread phenomenon in spite of their potentially toxic health effects. Pdf skin lightening bleaching cosmetics and toiletries are widely. A case study of youthful ladies and women in houston municipality in ghana article pdf available. The bleaching process refers to removal of freckles, skin aging spots, scarring, or uneven skin tone. Sep 07, 2017 many women use bleaching creams and solutions to lighten their facial hair. A case study of youthful ladies and women in houston municipality in ghana. More importantly, the adverse effects of making use of beaching products were stressed. These products both work in the short term to lighte. In 2006, the food and drug administration fda also issued a notice that overthe. Anyone who has ever swam in a chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh effects that chlorine has on the skin and hair.
Skin bleaching products include creams, ointments, soaps, capsulespills, and injections. Why skin color exists in various shades is a trivial matter. The main ingredient of most cosmeticallyavailable skin bleaching creams, hydroquinone, is effective in bringing about permanent lightening of the skin by inhibiting enzyme reaction of the skin which causes dark pigments. What are the harmful effects of bleaching on the skin. Steroids topical corticosteroids such as clobetasolpropionate and betamethasonedipropionate are very popular skin bleaching agents sold recklessly within the country. It helps to protect the skin from the damaging effects of sunlight, like sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer. Apr 17, 2017 lack of data on skin whitening sw among cameroonian female university students prompted us to undertake the present study which aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices and motivations of female university students visavis sw. Harmful effects of chemical skin bleaching and some safer. Skin bleaching refers to the use of chemical agents to lighten skin colour. Use skin bleaching hydroquinone as ordered by your doctor. Skin bleaching is the use of creams, gels, or soaps to lighten the skin and is known to cause a number of injuries, many of which are potentially lifethreatening. In numerous countries around the world, a rapidly growing number of people have turned to the practice of skin bleaching in attempts to lighten their skin.
It is a dangerous practice associated with a diverse range of sideeffects, including mercury poisoning. Abstract africa is considered a continent of mystery and intrigue with absurd concepts and beliefs. While traditionally a female practice, use has become more popular also among men in recent years 12. The negative effects of bleaching teeth ultimate oral. Skin bleaching and dermatologic health of african and afro. Skin whitening is the act of brightening the skin complexion by using substances that are applied on the skin or administered into the body by other means. Skin whitening among cameroonian female university students. Today, i am dwelling a little more on the skin whitening products, that are available in the market by various brands. Apr 14, 2008 if your age is below 20, you should not go for bleaching, as there will be several harmful effects on your skin. On skin bleaching and lightening as psychological misorientation mental disorder daudi ajani ya azibo, ph. The use of skin bleaching products with mercury can lead to a thyroid disease known as hypothyroidism.
Given that 50% of our participants had been bleaching for at least years, and 78% of the participants applied skin bleaching products to their skin daily, our pilot study findings provide convincing evidence to support the potential for serious adverse health effects in this population resulting from longterm, potentially harmful, exposure. Dangers of skin bleaching and lightening why skin color exists in various shades is a trivial matter. Even though our society is learning to appreciate the different forms of beauty across races, fairer skin is still coveted. The study furthermore revealed that, in toto, the students are fully aware of the harmful effects of the practice. In both situations, the tingling will change to a burning sensation. Pdf skin bleaching and its negative effects on the. Prolonged use of skin whitening creams can cause a lot of problems. Skin bleaching may sometimes stem from deeply rooted psychological issues. May 14, 20 use the zellies complete mouth care system to help enamel become stronger and more acid resistant so teeth of all ages will brighten and naturally whiten as they become harder, shinier and healthier the exact opposite from the detrimental effects of whitening and bleaching. He is a nationally recognized expert in africancentered black psychology. In addition to hair on the upper lip and chin, many women also bleach arm and chest.
Mental health effects of colorism in the black community. Skin bleaching continues to affect communities of colour disproportionately 6, but has extended beyond the african and asian continents 7 11. These are detailed out to the understanding of the readers. The ingredients in bleaching cream, namely the hydroquinone, is a fairly caustic substance. The aga khan university hospital, 00202 nairobi, kenya.
Pdf skin bleaching and its negative effects on the physical. But evidence from the range of products, suppliers and services points to a continentwide market that may number tens of millions of people and possibly more. Natural ways of skin bleaching are safe, effective and also cost less. Skin bleaching among african and afrocaribbean women in. Apr 24, 2019 given that 50% of our participants had been bleaching for at least years, and 78% of the participants applied skin bleaching products to their skin daily, our pilot study findings provide convincing evidence to support the potential for serious adverse health effects in this population resulting from longterm, potentially harmful, exposure. Hydroquinone side effects cream, effectiveness, adverse. Other harmful effects of hydroquinone are reddish skin, dry and leathery skin, dermatitis, pigment cells damage and increase sensitivity to sunlight. Hydroquinone is a chemical used for photo processing and hair dyes. Skin bleaching is the use of chemical substances to try to lighten skin tone or complexion by reducing the amount of melanin in the skin. Skin whitening, also known as skin lightening and skin bleaching, refers to the practice of using chemical substances in an attempt to lighten the skin or provide an even skin color by reducing the melanin concentration in the skin. Side effects of skin whitening creams using skin lightening products to get fairer skin continues to be a widespread phenomenon. This study aimed to determine if such products are used in.
Some of the side effects of skinbleaching products include. In light of this grave issue, that possess so many potentially harmful effects, there is a great need to find effective but safer methods and techniques to lighten dark spots and as a result, a safer alternative to skin bleaching. Skin bleaching and its negative effects on the physical appearance of the black skin. Dangers of skin whitening products skin whitening news. Williams, 1957, in its current manifestations, skin bleaching. However, its possible for your skin to either have an adverse reaction or suffer a chemical burn from the product.
Thus, this current discussion within the dermatological. Skin bleaching has been associated with a variety of known adverse health effects ranging from dermatitis to exogenous ochronosis fig. This was a crosssectional study conducted from january to april 20 in 4 university campuses of yaounde, cameroon. There are also health effects from using bleach in a spray bottle. Skin can also smell after many years of use of skin bleaching creams. The purpose of skin bleaching is to obtain a lighter skin tone, either all over the face or on a few smaller areas. Skin whitening among cameroonian female university. The cosmetic use of chemical agents to lighten the complexion of ones skin, also referred to as skin whitening, skin lightening, andor skin bleaching, is currently a widespread global phenomenon. Extensive written notes were taken during the fgds and interviews, by the last author, jo. A copy of the the facts about chlorine general information is available in adobe portable document format pdf, 63 kb, 3pg. Melanin is the bodys natural protection against the harmful effects of uv rays, however, an over production of melanin hyperpigmentation can cause uneven skin tones and other skin disorders. General information there are more than a few adverse effects of regular skin bleaching.
In most cases people see teeth whiten for up to 2 years on the. It can irritate your skin and eyes as well as your lungs. Chlorine in shower water also has a very negative cosmetic effect, robbing our skin and hair of moisture and elasticity, resulting in a less vibrant and youthful appearance. The world health organization who stated that nigerian women are the highest users of skin lightening products in the world, as about 77% of nigerian women buy and use these products. Before using, apply a small amount of this medicine to an area of unbroken skin. While the history of skin bleaching can be traced to the elizabethan age of powder and paint blay, 2009a. A number of countries have banned the use of skin bleaching products because of the dangers associated with them. Many women use bleaching creams and solutions to lighten their facial hair. Learn about the side effects of skin bleaching and opt for natural remedies for having clean and flawless skin. Feb 01, 2020 how is this medicine skin bleaching best taken. It bleaches the skin, which can be helpful when treating different forms of hyperpigmentation historically, theres been some backandforth on the. Melanin is the main substance that gives the skin its colour. When you use diluted bleach in a spray bottle, you create small droplets that can be inhaled into the.
Every bleaching product contains two main chemicals, hydroquinone and mercury, both are toxic. Pdf complications of chronic use of skin lightening cosmetics. The concept behind skin bleaching is to acquire a better, smoother and lighter skin complexion, however, studies have. The longterm use of these products for several months to years may cause cutaneous or systemic sideeffects. If your age is below 20, you should not go for bleaching, as there will be several harmful effects on your skin. Side effects of skin bleaching beauty and grooming. Where statistics about africas skinbleaching industry exist, they are often old or unreliable. Lack of data on skin whitening sw among cameroonian female university students prompted us to undertake the present study which aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices and motivations of female university students visavis sw.
The regular and sustained use of skin bleaching products has been practiced in african and asian contexts for decades, with prevalence estimates from 25% to 96% 2. A case study of youthful ladies and women in houston. Results the pooled imputed lifetime prevalence of skin bleaching was 27. Jul 10, 2019 mental health effects of colorism in the black community mindpath care centers healthcare begins with mindcare if you have suspected coronavirus symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact your primary care provider for recommended next steps. Despite the growing body of research identifying the harmful effects of skin bleaching, this topic has received little attention in the field of public health.
In fact, skin bleaching can be very detrimental to ones health and wellbeing. The harmful effects of skin whitening creams september 26, 2006 cant help it but overheard 2 ladies in the airport lounge while on the way to manila for a lecture yesterday talking about. Some of the causes of skin discoloration are sun damage, hormonal changes, aging, and genetics. The use of skin whitening agents has its drawback in terms of causing harmful effects such as skin disorders like depigmentation, rashes, pimples, discolorations, kidney damaged, cancers, neurological and psychiatric disorders. Though it is true that a lot of skin whitening creams have side effects and can harm the skin, the same can be said about all other beauty products. Skin bleaching for instance, which is commonly used amongst the black community, considerably, african women as well as jamaicans is used to whiten or bleach the melanin, the crucial determining factor of the color of the skin. Skin bleaching creams that contains hydroqinone are very harmful to the liver as studies have shown that hydroquinone is toxic to the liver and has the ability to cause some life threatening liver disease over a longterm use. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The concept of skin bleaching in africa and its devastating health implications.
This fact sheet is intended to provide general awareness and education on a specific chemical agent. The global prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching. The concept of skin bleaching in africa and its devastating. May 06, 2017 the piece centred on skin bleaching ingredients, bleaching creams, causes of bleaching, and the adverse effects of bleaching. Selfuse of skin bleaching products among female attending. Research reveals that several chemicals and toxic compounds used in the preparation of whitening products can have harmful effects 9. Several chemicals have been shown to be effective in skin whitening, while some have proven to be toxic or have questionable safety profiles. Sep 12, 2014 melanin is the bodys natural protection against the harmful effects of uv rays, however, an over production of melanin hyperpigmentation can cause uneven skin tones and other skin disorders. If you are below 20 years, your skin will be sensitive and cannot bare any chemical reactions that take place on your skin. It is now known that chemical bleaching can lead to serious skin and health conditions which include.
1089 304 1236 978 966 501 47 569 147 899 634 342 517 1011 684 796 1374 337 858 1424 105 76 1408 801 323 901 1529 1313 1079 178 569 1454 1309 993 1309 678 606 27 1177