SKIN BLEACHING: A THREAT TO SKIN SAFETY
Production and marketing of skin bleaching products has become a multi-billion dollar industry, servicing all parts of the world, making it one of the most common forms of potentially harmful body modification practices worldwide.
Dermatologic consequences include: Skin lesions, epidermal atrophy (thinning of
the skin), exogenous ochronosis (bluish black tissue discoloration), eczema, bacterial and fungal infections, dermatitis (skin inflammation), scabies (contagious skin disease), warts, acne, sun damage and body odour skin bleaching can lead to fragile skin, poor wound healing, scarring and the need for corrective surgery.
Other more serious health risks include hypertension, diabetes, infertility,
leukaemia (blood cancer), skin cancer, foetal toxicity (foetal poisoning), immunosuppression (suppression of a healthy immune response), renal and liver impairment and failure, Cushing’s syndrome (hormone disorder), insomnia, memory loss, tremors, speech and hearing impairment These harms extend from the acute or chronic long-term exposure to the often hazardous chemical agents that are present in bleaching products. In addition, the damage from bleaching products is
often exacerbated when users mix bleaching products with household chemicals such as
toothpaste, laundry bleach, detergents and even automotive battery acid, a very common practice in some settings, to try to enhance their effect.
HARM TO THE SKIN
Damage to the skin was the most frequently identified negative health outcome associated with skin bleaching
conditions such as acne, burns, and dermatitis associated with skin bleaching.
OTHER CELL AND ORGAN DISEASES/ABNORMALITIES
Other health risks related to the use of skin bleaching products in this
category were disruption of normal DNA functioning and changes at the gene level Renal and neurological complications due to mercury exposure as well as cataracts and glaucoma. Additionally, researchers described organ diseases and abnormalities associated with skin bleaching such as Cushing syndrome and cancer.
Poisoning/toxic chemical levels in skin bleaching products
Six studies tested skin bleaching products and found that they included chemicals which have
been documented as toxic or causing poisoning in humans For example, researchers reported
that skin bleaching products had toxic levels of mercury, hydroquinone and clobetasol.
BIRTH DEFECTS/PROBLEMS WITH OFFSPRING HEALTH
Studies identified birth defects/problems with offspring health as health risks associated with skin bleaching, dysfunction and cataracts in new-borns was related to the mother’s use of skin bleaching products. This was further evidenced by a study which found that pregnant skin bleachers’ had smaller placenta and children born at low birth weights, low cortisol levels, and higher rates of birth defects associated with mercury exposure.
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