The process of skin bleaching is when products are used to lighten dark spots or even the entire complexion.
Skin whitening has no beneficial effects on your health. The results of skin lightening are not guaranteed.
For medical reasons, the skin should not be bleached. It is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with skin bleaching if you are considering it.
3 Benefits of Bleaching for Face
While skin bleaching does not have any health benefits, it can improve the appearance and condition of certain skin conditions.
Reduces dark spots
Skin bleaching treatments can reduce age spots and hormone fluctuations as well as sun-damaged dark patches.
It may be useful for those who want to reduce skin pigmentation.
- Age spots and liver spots
- sunspots
- Post-inflammatory scars due to eczema or psoriasis
- Melasma
- Post-inflammatory scars due to eczema or psoriasis
Reduces visibility of acne scars
A few skin-whitening treatments can help reduce scarring from acne. While they won’t reduce the severity of a breakout or any reddening, they can help to lessen the appearance of any darkened or lingering spots.
Evens skin tone
Skin lightening can reduce hyperpigmented spots caused by sun damage and help to even out skin tone. It may also reduce freckles.
Does whitening the skin equal bleaching?
No. Skin whitening is not meant to lighten your skin.
5 Face bleach side effects
Due to the potential dangers and adverse effects of bleaching, some countries prohibit the use on their skin of any bleaching products. There are some things you need to know before applying bleach to your skin. Here are the main negative effects of using bleach on your skin:
1. Dermatitis
The skin’s oil glands are often affected by dermatitis. This illness can lead to flaking and itchy skin. Dermatitis can occur in many areas of the skin, including the upper chest, armpits and groyne. Bleaching on the skin can cause severe side effects. Numerous studies have linked contact dermatitis with skin bleaching. Contact dermatitis is caused by skin irritation when you come in contact with dangerous chemicals. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and include redness, blisters or hives, swelling, stinging or burning.
2. Mercury toxicities
Certain skin-bleaching products made outside the USA have been linked to dangerous levels of mercury. It is illegal in the United States to use mercury in cosmetics for skin-lightening purposes, but mercury can still be found in products from other countries.
A 2014 study foundmercury in nearly 12% of 549 skin-lightening creams bought online and offline. These items were sold mainly by American retailers.
3. Blue-black pigmentation
Exogenous ochronosis is a blue-black color that can appear on your skin as a result using bleach. Blue-black skin is a condition known as exogenous orchronosis. It mostly manifests as a serious side effect of excessive use of hydroquinone-containing skin-bleaching products.
4. Exogenous ochronosis
A skin condition called exogenous ochronosis (EO) results in blue-black pigmentation. It often happens as a side effect of long-term usage of hydroquinone-containing skin-bleaching products. People are more likely to develop EO if they apply the product to large areas of their bodies.
5. Steroid acne
Skin-bleaching products containing corticosteroids may cause steroid acne.
Steroid acne can also be seen on the chest, back, arms and other parts of the body.
Take Away
It is not something you should take lightly. There have been numerous adverse health effects linked to it. It also has no health benefits. If you are considering skin bleaching, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the pros and cons.
FAQs
Is it possible to use bleach every day on our faces?
It is forbidden to bleach your skin too often as it can cause skin reddening, skin unevenness, and acne outbreaks.
Can bleach remove my tan?
Yes. Yes. However, bleach can be used to remove tan but not more than once per month. It can cause skin irritations, burns, and other problems if not used correctly.
Can I use Face Wash after bleach?
No. No.
References:
- Prachi A Bhattar, Vijay P Zawar,1 Kiran V Godse, Sharmila P Patil, Nitin J Nadkarni, and Manjyot M Gautam, 2015 Nov-Dec, Exogenous Ochronosis
- Carsten R Hamann and Waranya Boonchai. Liping Wen, Emi Naishijima Sakashi, Chia Chu, Kylin Hamann and Curtis P Hamann. Spectrometric analysis: Mercury toxicity in 549 skin lighteningproducts. Is mercury toxicity a hidden global risk?
