The journey of obtaining glossy glass, uniform and free of pigmentation and wrinkles begins with a series of procedures, most notably the lightening of the skin color, through sessions or medications. A step that seems passing, but in the eyes of experts is not, given the amount of possible and complex health troubles, which it follows over the following years, thus those wishing to shiny and bright skin – without intent – move to dark health aspects that are not taken into account.
Skin lightening fever around the world
The value of the global market for skin lightening products was about $ 11.2 billion in 2023, and it is expected to rise to $ 16.1 billion by 2030, in a clear indication of the breadth of a market in which the idea that light skin is the standard of beauty and attractiveness.
This view reinforces an analytical study published in 2019 in the International Journal of Dermatology, which was based on data collected from 76,000 people around the world, as it showed that the average use of the global skin lightening products is 27.2%, which means that one out of almost every 4 people used these products at some point in his life.
It has become clear that lightening the skin is no longer just a cosmetic obsession, but rather turned into an issue related to public health and cultural identity in many societies around the world.
These data support the numbers of a report issued by the “Bristin Market Insights” company, which analyzed the market lightening products globally during the period between 2025 and 2035, in more than 40 countries.
According to the report, the greatest demand for these products comes from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, where light skin is still associated with beauty and social status. The report shows that 25% of women in these areas use skin whitening products, while 80% of market sales are directed to dark -skinned women.
But the most prominent surprise was that 33% of women expressed their willingness to use fast -acting whitening products, even if they were from unknown sources, in a worrying indication of the prevailing results of safety on safety standards.
The report concluded with the warning that despite the expected growth of the universal lightening market, there are serious concerns related to the health risks associated with the use of toxic or unsafe materials in these products, as well as possible regulatory restrictions that may slow down the market expansion in the future.
Another face of skin lightening products
The skin whitening procedure depends mainly on the use of a group of chemicals that reduce the production of melanin – the dye responsible for the skin color – but the expected side effects may be very dangerous in the absence of control over products mostly unknown, as many complications are especially with long -term use of bleaching substances without the supervision of the doctor, and despite the effective role of many bleaching materials for the skin, they do not seem safe, the most famous: the most famous:
Corticosteroids, local or injectedWhich may cause thinning of the skin, its atrophy, the appearance of stretching, redness, as well as dermatitis around the mouth, and the increased chances of exposure to skin infection, as well as pain in the injection site.
Inorganic mercury, It may cause rashes, peeling and itching, as well as long -term use may lead to kidney damage, neurological problems such as tremors and memory loss, as well as other health problems.
HydroquinoneIt is used to reduce the production of melanin, and it can cause permanent change in the color of the skin, as well as rash and swelling of the face, to skin cancer, so it is prohibited in Europe and parts of Asia due to the possible long -term consequences.
Glutathion The side effects of using it by injection include toxic effects on the liver, kidneys and nervous system, as well as concerns about Stevens Johnson syndrome, and its injection is usually associated with vitamin C intravenous Injections to lighten the skin, and there are no agreed principles for appropriate doses or treatment.
The American Food and Drug Agency indicates on its official website that no injection products to lighten the skin have been approved, and that the only approval that was issued by glutathione as injections, was to use it as an auxiliary treatment in chemotherapy and not for other purposes.
Titenoin, Research has shown that it causes birth defects of fetuses, as well as expected allergic reactions, and redness of the skin.
Azilic acidAlthough it is mainly natural materials, it may cause redness, itching and irritation, but the worst effect is the increased sensitivity to the sun.
Glycolic acid, Although it is one of the alternatives to be seen as safe, it increases the sensitivity of the sun, and causes ulcers in some cases.
Kojic acid, It also increases the sensitivity of the sun, irritation and redness of the skin.
Vitamin CLarge doses of it lead to dialysis in some patients.
Retinoid Risk during pregnancy, causes allergies to the sun, peeling, dryness and redness of the skin.
In addition to larger risks that include the hepatitis B and C and to AIDS, as well as many other infectious diseases if injection sessions are made in unlimited facilities.
Despite the temptations offered by skin lightening products, the “perfect white” road is not always safe. Health is more important than appearance, and awareness is the first step towards a responsible choice.
(Tagstotranslate) Family (T) Women