It is important to note that skin lightening or whitening creams can have serious side effects, and some of them are permanent. The following are some of the possible positive and negative aspects of using skin whitening creams:
Positive aspects:
- Skin whitening creams can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and other skin discolorations.
- Some skin whitening creams contain ingredients that can help to moisturize and nourish the skin.
Negative aspects:
- Skin whitening creams can cause redness, swelling, burning, stinging, and itchy or flaky skin.
- Some skin whitening creams contain hydroquinone, corticosteroids, or mercury, which can lead to serious side effects and complications such as skin turning dark or too light, thinning of the skin, visible blood vessels in the skin, scarring, kidney, liver or nerve damage, abnormalities in a newborn baby (if used during pregnancy), and mercury poisoning.
- Skin whitening creams can make the treated areas of skin more sensitive to the sun, which can lead to sunburn and other skin damage.
- Skin whitening creams can cause a condition called exogenous ochronosis, which is a rare but permanent side effect where the skin becomes dark and thick.
Ingredients or materials:
- Some skin whitening creams contain hydroquinone, which is a skin-bleaching agent that can reduce the amount of melanin in the skin.
- Some skin whitening creams contain corticosteroids, which can reduce inflammation and itching.
- Some skin whitening creams contain mercury, which is a highly toxic chemical that can cause serious health problems.
It is important to note that there is no such thing as a permanent skin whitening cream without side effects. If you are considering using a skin whitening cream, it is important to talk to a dermatologist or other healthcare professional first to discuss the potential risks and benefits.
