You’ve Got Lighter Skin Obviously, But At What Cost

Naija news!

24.07.2013, 10:32  Local

Have you noticed that despite the harsh sunlight that we are exposed to as Nigerians, some people have unrealistic white skin that makes them the cynosure of all eyes and, perhaps, objects of envy wherever they are?

The skin glows, it is spotless and looks smooth to touch.

Before now, those who desired fair skin usually went for skin lightening creams whose active ingredient was hydroquinone.

The online portal, webmd.com, notes that medically, hydroquinone is used to lighten the dark patches of skin (also called hyperpigmentation, melasma, liver spots, age spots, or freckles) caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin.

Under the guidance of competent medical personnel, this aromatic organic compound works by blocking the process in the skin that leads to discoloration. Even at that, physicians say, hydroquinone may make the treated areas of skin more sensitive to the sun. As such, users are advised to avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps.

When outdoors, they are advised to use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing on the treated areas of skin.

At a point, hydroquinone came under scrutiny as experts began to suspect that it was carcinogenic - that is, it contains properties that could cause cancer in humans. Consequently, on August 29, 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of cosmetic products containing hydroquinone.

Researchers say studies in rodents show some evidence that hydroquinone may cause cancer. Worse still, scientists say, short term use of hydroquinone has been linked with the medical condition known as ochronosis, whereby the skin becomes dark and thick; or sometimes plagued with "dome-shaped yellowish spots and grayish-brown spots.

Some studies also report abnormal function of the adrenal glands and high levels of mercury in people who have used cosmetics containing hydroquinone.

As the authorities were battling the cosmetic industry on the use of this controversial ingredient in their products, the beauty world was also busy working on possible alternatives for those who may rather die than remain in the castle of dark skin.

Enter the glutathione injection, which, users say, works like magic because, no matter how dark your skin is, it soon becomes near-white under the influence of glutathione.

Dermatologists say glutathione works by absorbing ultraviolet rays and preventing the sun from darkening the skin. "It also reduces the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the darkening of the skin as a result of exposure to the sun," they explain.