Fair & Lovely, White & Pure (Part 2)

As I wrote in the previous post, skin whitening seems to be the latest trend. People in general have come to a point of equating fairness with beauty. If you're not fair enough, you're not pretty enough or attractive enough. It is sad that people have to expose their bodies through 'chemical processes' in order to 'look/feel' beautiful.

But this so called 'beautification process' comes at a steep price. The ingredients that are used in these whitening products contain chemicals which cause harm to our bodies. 

1. Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone has been clinically tested to be a potentially dangerous ingredient. In experiments on mice, hydroquinone caused cancer in them.

Creams which contain hydroquinone are capable of burning through layers of the skin; thus leaving behind scarring. And it is a known fact that hydroquinone is a skin irritant!

This ingredient has been banned in many countries, which include Japan, England and France. 

2. Mercury

Mercury is another ingredient used in whitening products. Small amounts of this chemical can cause damage to one's nervous system and cause kidney problems. Pregnant women who use skin lightening creams during their pregnancy can pass the mercury to their unborn child!

Mercury can also cause the treated area of the skin to become thick and discoloured. This definitely beats the purpose of using the whitening products!

*Note: Mercury is sometimes listed under other names: calomel, mercuric, mercurous or mercurio.

3. Steroids

Topical use of steroids on the skin can cause thinning of the skin, acne and poor wound healing.