Skin Bleaching Practices: Products, Mechanisms and Effects

Skin bleaching is the use of chemical substances to lighten the colour of the skin. Despite various publications and documentaries on the harmful effects of skin bleaching, it is still becoming increasingly common especially among the black skin coloured individuals. A lighter skin has been perceived to be synonymous with beauty. Most skin lightening products are known to act on different pathways of melanin biosynthesis. The major lightening products used include hydroquinone, mercury and topical steroids which come as soaps, body wash, gels and creams. Skin lightening can cause a myriad of cutaneous and systemic adverse effects and so continuous public health awareness to sensitize individuals on the dangers of skin bleaching and proper regulations by the Government and relevant authorities must be put in place.