Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Bleach Your Skin

By Urenna Ukiwe | 21 July 2018 | 6:00 pm

Skin whitening or bleaching 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 their skin.

Bleaching thins the skin

Bleaching thins the skin and causes bruises, stretch marks and other skin problems. It also makes it more difficult for the skin to heal from cuts and abrasions.

It exposes the skin to UV rays

Bleaching exposes the skin to dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun. 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.

Skin damage. Photo: Beauty in Black Foundation

Mercury poisoning

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

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

It causes 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.

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Skin Bleaching