The use of chemical composition to change the skin from one colour to another (especially from dark skin to light skin) is referred to as skin bleaching.
Despite the awareness of the harmful side effects, skin bleaching is still a common trend amongst Nigerian women. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), skin lightening cream is used by 77 percent of Nigerian women. Though, men have started using bleaching products lately. The sales of bleaching creams are constantly on the rise in Nigeria.
The major purpose of this article is to sensitize the public on the harmful effects of using skin bleaching creams.
Skin bleaching creams are made up of different chemical compositions. Below are some of the compositions and their harmful effects to the skin.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is one of the chemical used in skin bleaching creams. Though there is currently no real evidence that suggest the harmfulness of hydroquinone to the human skin but if used excessively it could cause various side effects like
- Skin dryness
- Redness of the skin
- Itchiness or stinging of the skin
- Scaling
- Skin irritation and burning sensation
Steroids
Most skin bleaching creams also contains steroids such as betamethasone diprioponate and corticosteroids which when used inappropriately can cause various skin effects like
- Eczema
- Sores and boils
- Skin infections
- Psoriases and acne.
Harmful effects of bleaching creams to your health
Below are some of the negative effects of skin bleaching cream to human health
- It can cause cancer
- It makes your skin to be vulnerable to infections
- It makes the skin to be vulnerable to injuries
- It may cause liver damage
- The use of bleaching creams by pregnant women may cause birth defect
- Excessive usage might trigger diabetes
- Long usage might cause damage to the nervous system
The above effects shows that skin bleaching creams could cause a huge damage to our health if not properly regulated. It is advisable for you to abstain totally from bleaching your skin. Cherish what you have because you are wonderfully made by God.
