Skin whitening

Skin whitening, alternatively known as skin lightening or skin bleaching, is a practice that involves the application of chemical substances to lighten the skin or achieve a uniform skin color by reducing the concentration of melanin, the primary pigment in skin.

The Process and Active Ingredients

Skin whitening procedures function by impeding melanin production in the skin. Various chemicals have been shown to be effective in skin whitening, including hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic acid, and retinoic acid. These agents inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme essential for melanin synthesis.

Mercury compounds, once widely used in skin lightening products, have been shown to be neurotoxic and nephrotoxic, and their use is now heavily regulated or banned in many countries.

Safety and Risks

While skin whitening can be achieved using various products, certain agents have proven to be harmful or bear questionable safety profiles. Prolonged use of skin lightening products can lead to complications such as mercury poisoning, skin cancer, and liver damage, especially in products with non-regulated or illegal ingredients.

Cultural and Societal Implications

Skin whitening is popular in many parts of the world, often associated with societal notions of beauty, class, and social mobility. However, the practice has sparked debates around racial identity, self-esteem, and health equity.

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References

1. "Skin Lightening Products." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Link
2. "Skin Whitening: An Overview." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Link
3. "The Use of Mercury in Skin Lightening Products." World Health Organization. Link
4. "Cultural and Societal Implications of Skin Whitening." Journal of Cultural Diversity. Link

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  Skin whitening product in supermarket

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  Skin bleaching is everywhere

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  Sweet Georgia Brown skin bleaching cream advertisement 1930s

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  Shiseido whitening products

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  Arsenic complexion wafers advertisement