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Skin Lightening: An IntroductionSponsored Links
In many parts of Asia, South America and Africa, skin lightening has become big business. The popularity of these products has risen steadily over the years and demand has surged so quickly for a better cream, ointment, soap, lotion or even pill that many manufacturers have resorted to using highly toxic materials as skin whitening ingredients and utilizing unsafe production practices. Suffice it to say that out of a dozen skin whitening products available over-the-counter today, at least half are suspect. There are actually brands with active ingredients that can cause a variety of unpleasant side effects, ranging from scarring to kidney problems to cancer. In spite of restrictions and even outright banning, these skin lightening ingredients are still in use in a good number of products. Here we discuss three of the most commonly used ingredients and their side effects. HydroquinoneHydroquinone was once the standard upon which most skin brightening products were based. As the active ingredient in toners and astringents, hydroquinone promised an easy and pain-free treatment for common problems with skin hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that occurs naturally in human skin, producing its color. By preventing the skin's ability to produce melanin naturally, hydroquinone helps lighten skin color. Hydroquinone was the main ingredient in many skin lightening products that appeared in the U.S. market, becoming more popular thanks to its approval as an over-the-counter treatment by the FDA. Unfortunately, hydroquinone is not as safe as it was purported to be. There have been studies that linked the ingredient to a variety of health issues, including increased risks of developing cancer and causing problems in the adrenal gland. Some studies have also linked hydroquinone to ochronosis, a disorder that, ironically, results to darker, grayish-black skin pigmentation. Today, over-the-counter skin whitening products containing hydroquinone are banned in Japan, Australia and in Europe. It is still available as an ingredient for certain skin treatments but it is recommended with a dermatologist's prescription to ensure proper dosage and use. MercuryMercury, a toxic heavy metal, can also be found as an active ingredient in numerous skin lightening products, usually in the form of mercury chloride. As a reagent, it is highly soluble in water, making it easier to mix in a solution.
Even if used in small dosages, mercury chloride can pose a significant threat to health. Mercury is a known cause of kidney and neurological damage, as shown in laboratory tests in rats and in studies involving humans. Over the long term, the adverse effects of mercury to the kidneys, nerves and the brain are also irreversible. Mercury chloride, incidentally, is also an ingredient used in the manufacture of fungicides, insecticides, wood preservatives and for the preservation of biological and anthropological specimens. Before the discovery of antibiotics, mercury chloride was used for the treatment of syphilis. Today, the FDA bans over-the-counter skin whitening products that use even the smallest concentration of mercury. GlucocorticosteroidsCorticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the body's adrenal glands. These hormones control the body's immune responses, regulate carbohydrate metabolism and help decrease inflammation. Glucocorticosteroids are a type of corticosteroid. They are being manufactured synthetically for use in the treatment of a variety of conditions and skin problems, including asthma, arthritis, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. They are also used as the active ingredient in skin lightening products. Glucocorticosteroids are popular in certain countries as ointments and creams. They are applied to lighten common skin hyperpigmentations such as age spots and scars. Glucocorticosteroids are considered safe but only up to a certain dosage and length of use. As a treatment, for example, it is only recommended for continuous application for up to 15 days, after which application should be stopped. Prolonged use of a skin brightening product containing glucocorticosteroids as an active ingredient raises the risk of developing adverse side effects such as inflammation, acne, osteoporosis, cataracts and muscle weakness. The use of these ingredients for skin care is being monitored and regulated by the FDA. Such regulations or restrictions may not always be implemented in other countries, which makes it important that buying customers equip themselves with the right skin whitening information not just regarding the skin lightening product's efficacy but also its safety. Underarm WhiteningWhen spring and summer roll around, people start worrying about their appearance. Gyms get a rush of new members trying to lose that winter belly fat. Clothing stores have droves of customers buying new wardrobes. Going sleeveless feels great, but some people are self-conscious about their underarms. If your underarms are darker than the rest your body, it can look unsightly. Underarm whitening options can make things easier....read more >> Men's Anti Wrinkle Cream: What You NeedThere are now many brands of anti wrinkle cream for men on the market. In fact, there are so many that it can be difficult to choose between them. Do you have to pay a lot to get the best? And what should you be looking for when you select facial and skin care products for men?...read more >> Best Anti Aging Supplements: Can Hormones Keep You Young?Some of the best anti aging supplements, or at least the most well known, are actually hormone supplements. Hormones are chemicals produced in our organs that act as messengers, sending signals to other parts of the body. Examples are adrenalin, produced in times of stress, putting our system on red alert; and the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone which, with others, are responsible for the changes around puberty and many other functions related to sex and reproduction....read more >> How to Become YoungerJust about everybody over the age of 30 would like to know how to become younger. The quest for eternal youth is something that has driven and inspired people all through the ages. We want to have smoother skin, a full head of lustrous hair, and the lithe and flexible body that is associated with youth....read more >> Thinning Hair Remedies for MenThinning hair remedies can help men out in some circumstances if you are losing your hair faster than you would like. Before trying any of these treatments be aware that we all lose many hairs every day, and just finding hair in the shower after you washed it is not a sign that you are going bald. Thinning hair happens when the hair that is naturally lost is not replaced....read more >> What to Do About Aging Skin ProblemsAging skin problems are going to affect everybody as they grow older. But do not despair, there are many things that you can do to delay their effects or bring about some improvement if you are already seeing those unwanted effects....read more >> Anti Aging Products: Start at the Top!When you are considering anti aging products, remember that looking young is not just a question of your skin. You should start at the top - literally - with your hair....read more >> Straight Man Skin Care TipsFor the average straight man skin care is not high on his daily list of priorities. Until recently most men believed that looking after the face was something that only women needed to do. If their skin was very dry or irritated they might steal a little face cream from the wife, mother or sister, but otherwise skin was ignored on the principle that if it works, you don't fix it. Men who paid a lot of attention to the way they looked were considered either suspiciously unmanly, or vain. ...read more >>
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