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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. What is a Non Surgical Face Lift?The non surgical face lift has become a more and more popular alternative to surgical facelift procedures in recent years. The traditional face lift, where the skin is cut at the ears and jaw and drawn back to give a more youthful appearance to the face, has many disadvantages. Most common complaints are that it can result in a tight look to the face, giving the person a more rigid facial expression, a permanent look of surprise or just 'not looking like myself any more'. But occasionally, as with all surgical procedures, things can go wrong and the result is an excess of scar tissue and a face that looks much worse than ever before. Face lifts are also expensive and will take at least a week out of your schedule while you wait for the pain, scarring and bruising to fade. If you do not want anyone to know that you had a face lift, you may have to take a couple of months' vacation....read more >> Antioxidant Skin Care ProductsModern antioxidant skin care products offer us a level of protection against free radicals in the environment that we cannot afford to ignore. Free radicals are hyper-reactive molecules whose instability brings about change and damage in the cells of our body. Some are generated naturally by our bodies but modern life can lead us to have more than we should, caused by pollution in the air, chemicals in our food and radiation. ...read more >> Best Anti Aging Travel KitWhat is included in the best anti aging travel kit? Anybody who travels regularly and is concerned about their appearance should give a thought to carrying anti aging products in their overnight bag....read more >> Skin Lighteners - Some Basic FactsSkin lighteners are products that lighten your skin. These products have a variety of uses. Lighteners can lighten an unnatural looking tan, fade unsightly scars and remove dark patches of skin. Creams made for this purpose usually contain bleaching agents such as azelaic acid and hydroquinone. Some of these treatments are available at pharmacies and similar stores, or via the Internet. You can also visit a dermatologist to get a prescription strength treatment....read more >> Organic Face CreamOrganic face cream, along with other organic skin care products, is one of the fastest expanding areas of the beauty industry. Women who are sufficiently health conscious to buy organically grown food are now starting to demand organic products for their skin too. ...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 Reviews Help You Find the Best Skin CreamAnti aging reviews can be very helpful when you are looking for a new skin cream or other anti aging products. However, there are some points to keep in mind when you are checking out all of the reviews. In this article we will consider how far you can trust anti aging reviews. Are the reviewers just out for what they can get?...read more >> African-American and African Skin CareAfrican-American and African skin care issues are quite different than those for people with lighter skin. Uneven skin tone is one problem that is very common in dark skin. This is caused by an uneven distribution of melanin, the skin pigment that gives your skin its color. Light-skinned people have melanin in their skin too, but not so much. If they have an uneven distribution of melanin it appears on their skin as freckles. In African-American and other darker-skinned people, melanin distribution can cause larger patches of what looks like discoloration....read more >>
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