It is somewhat controversial and potentially unsafe to use skin lightening cream (mencerahkan kulit wajah) to bleach the skin. Know how these creams work and how side effects can be prevented.
Michael Jackson may be the most famous person known to have lightened his skin, but it is claimed that a whole host of celebrities have used skin lightening creams. Yet celebrities aren’t the only ones who opt for a convenient jar of skin bleaching cream (mencerahkan kulit wajah). Across countries like India and Africa, this beauty trend is actually quite common around the globe.
Skin conditions such as melasma, marked by dark or gray-brown patches on the skin, require the use of a cream to lighten the skin. However, to reach what society says is a standard of beauty, many people use these creams: clearer skin. And skin lightening is controversial for that reason. Bleaching skin also poses some risks, particularly if you do it at home without a doctor’s help.
How Do Skin Lightening Creams Work?
The most powerful skin lightening creams contain hydroquinone, says New York City’s Juva Skin and Laser Center director Bruce Katz, MD, a dermatologist. Many creams may have kojic acid, but they are less powerful, Dr. Katz says. Others add kojic acid and hydroquinone. You may purchase them over the counter, or a dermatologist can recommend them.
Katz explains that these products lighten the skin by causing a chemical reaction that blocks melanocytes, the skin cells that pigment your skin.
A skin lightening cream, says Katz, is supposed to be used for up to two or three months. This is sufficient time to lighten the skin without causing any harm. If you’re vigilant about staying out of the sun (stimulating melanocytes to darken your skin) and preventing problems that can cause brown spots like acne, your skin can remain lightened for good, says Katz.
Potential Risks of Skin Lightening
If you correctly use skin lightening creams — under a dermatologist’s supervision, there is a low risk of side effects. But using them alone is not free, Katz says.
For example, you can’t know for sure what you’re getting when you buy a skin lightening cream over the internet, says Katz. The label states that there is five or six percent hydroquinone in the cream, but there is no assurance that it will contain the specified ingredients. Nonetheless, you know you can trust the label when you use a skin lightening cream recommended by your dermatologist.
In some cases, the creams that cause a rash, so consulting with a dermatologist is crucial and being able to report any concerns to the doctor immediately.
Overuse is the most severe risk associated with a skin lightening cream. For several months, several people bleach their skin, which can actually cause the opposite of the desired effect and make your skin darker, says Katz. That’s a side effect that’s hard to reverse, so even if you’re using a product prescribed for you, it’s very important to follow your doctor’s instructions.
The good news is that bleaching skin under the supervision of a dermatologist will help you achieve the results you’re looking for by using products that you know are healthy.
