Outofstress.com

Fairness Creams – Are They Healthy?

It would seem that part of the human condition is never being satisfied with what we have. Fair skinned people spend a fortune on acquiring darkened or tanned skin while dark skinned people do the same to lighten their skin. There is an increasing trend amongst darker skinned people to lighten their skin, particularly in Asian countries. Traditionally it was women who sought ways to be fairer skinned but now men are just as likely to seek ways of doing so. Fairness creams, as a result, have flooded the market and skin lightening is big business.

Are Fairness Creams Healthy?

The answer, in the majority of cases, is no. Many contain chemicals which are extremely harmful to the skin especially when used over prolonged periods of time. The main agent in many fairness creams and skin whitening products is bleach or some bleaching agent.

Alarmingly, some of the creams available contain mercury, a highly poisonous substance to humans.

The main harmful ingredients are hydro-quinine, mercury, bleach and steroids. The extended use of creams which contain these and other harmful chemicals can be a heightened risk of cancer, disfigured skin, increased photo-sensitivity, kidney problems, spots and blemishes and irritated, sore areas of the skin.

Some of the creams work on the premise of reducing melanin which is the agent responsible for skin pigmentation. Reducing natural melanin production will remove the skins defense of the harmful effects of the sun.

Do Fairness Creams Work?

Again, the short answer is no. Skin tone is mostly dictated by genetics and is due to the melanin levels present. Some of the fairness creams do deliver some results which encourages their repeated use. Because they work by blocking melanin secretion the body is prevented from tanning or darkening, giving the overall effect of lightening. They can also work on the outer layers of the dermis to even out skin tone but it is impossible for them to make a dark person whiter.

Natural Alternatives for Skin Lightening

Most of the natural alternatives will work well for evening out skin tones and removing areas of discoloration. They will be unable to permanently and progressively lighten dark skin tone for the same reasons listed under the fairness creams.

Shea Butter – will even out areas of patchiness.

Aloe Vera – there are many that claim this truly does lighten the skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar – using this in a diluted form on the face and body will promote even skin tone and remove dark patches.

Lemon Juice – lemon juice contains a natural bleaching agent. It is thought that the claims for lemon juice’s ability to lighten skin tone are from the bleaching and lightening of fine facial hair. It will also help with discolored skin patches and to prevent freckles. Lemon juice is astringent and can act as an irritant on many people.

Dandelion Sap – an age old remedy for lightening and evening out age spots present on the skin.

Honey – can be used as a face mask to help with fading dark patches and blemishes. Leave for 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

All of the other remedies can be applied directly to the skin with cotton wool or used added to bath water.

Natural alternatives for lightening the skin can have adverse effects. Even 100% natural ingredients made from herbs or plant matter can cause allergic reaction in some people. Always test them out on a small patch of skin initially and cease their use immediately if you notice any adverse reactions.

Article by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton‘