EDITOR: Skin bleaching or skin lightening is a cosmetic procedure that aims to lighten dark areas of skin, or achieve a generally paler skin tone. Skin bleaching is not illegal, and when used professionally and within regulations it is not harmful. However excessive skin bleaching and high levels of particular ingredients in products sold illegally are dangerous. Skin lightening agents in cosmetics are often used to produce an even skin tone usually to the face and neck, but sometimes more extensively over larger areas or even the whole body. These products are marketed as either cosmetic, to improve the appearance of your skin, or for particular skin conditions like hyperpigmentation.

The skin bleaching industry is a big one. Many are actually feeding off the identity crisis of others. If you do not know who you are, others will make a fortune from your ignorance.

According to The Guardian, “In 2017, the global skin-lightening industry was worth $4.8bn (£3.4bn) and it is projected to grow to $8.9bn by 2027, fuelled by a growing middle class in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The easiest way to destroy a man or woman is to destroy his or her identity which is the foundation of life. When that identity is destroyed, they will eventually make choices that will destroy them. Persons who know who they are can never be deceived and do not fall for anything because the confidence in their identity directs their choices and decisions. What ever happened to “black is beautiful?” The whitening or bleaching skin is a trend that undoubtedly will not stop. Some famous celebrities have been rumoured to lighten their skin a few shades to look more fabulous. Although some people are successful in their quest for fair skin, these are reasons to deter anyone from bleaching of the skin. The most vulnerable people are not the poor. It is those with lost identity who assume there is everything wrong with what we have and everything right with what others have.

Little wonder we are struggling as a people to support what we produce. When one loses their identity, it is hard to appreciate anything they ever have.

Skin bleaching is a reminder of the extent people can go to destroy themselves by their choices and decisions when they have little confidence in their identity.
The question every dark- skinned human should ask themselves is, “Who am I and why was I born with this colour of skin?”

Deadly identity crisis occurs when you see people going through hell to peel off their skins to look like another; this is very sad indeed when you think of the consequences.

• Skin lightening agents may include:
• Hydroquinone
• Cysteamine
• Topical retinoids
• Topical corticosteroids e.g. dermovate
• Kojic acid
• Botanicals e.gs. Aloesin, Gentisic acid, Flavonoids, Ascorbic acid or its derivative, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate 10%, Niacinamide, Yeast derivatives, Polyphenols, Soy proteins

Some of the side effects:

• The epidermis is the upper layer of the skin that protects the dermis which is the inner layer that houses the capillaries, nerve ending, sweat glands and hair follicles
• Bleaching thins the epidermis which protects the dermis.
• Bleaching thins the skin and causes bruises, severe skin redness, burning, dryness, cracking, stinging, bleeding, stretch marks, blue or black discolouration of the skin and other skin problems.
• Long term use causes visible skin damage and scarring and less visible but serious internal effects. It also makes it more difficult for the skin to heal from cuts and abrasions.
• There are true stories of liver failure and permanent health problems.Bleaching exposes the skin to dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• Bleaching the skin increases the chances of mercury poisoning since some bleaching creams contain mercury. Long exposure to mercury can seep through the skin and damage the essential organs like the kidneys and the lungs.
• It causes cancer because of the dangerous chemicals contained in them that produce free radical cells which in turn causes cancer.
• Risk of high blood sugar because of the steroids contained in them. The cream seeps through the skin and enters the bloodstream which causes the blood sugar to rise and this can cause diabetes.
• The sale of illegal skin-lightening products and abuse of steroids is an ongoing problem all over the world and because of the increasing trend noted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines this article was written.

Joann Ince-Jack
Pharmacist