Bleaching Creams are skin lightening products that are used to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, such as age spots, acne scars, blemishes, discoloration and melasma.
These creams are often used to lighten dark spots or even out skin tone. However, they can have a number of undesirable side effects that can take forever to go away even with treatment.
While these creams can be effective in toning the skin, they can also have several side effects and allergic reactions that should make you to stop such creams immediately you notice them.
Some of the most common side effects and disadvantages of bleaching creams include:
1: Skin irritation: Bleaching can cause irritation like redness, skin peeling and itchiness, most especially if used on sensitive skin. This is due to the harsh chemicals in the cream, such as hydroquinone, mercury, kojic acid or retinoids.
2: Uneven skin tone: Abuse of bleaching creams can cause uneven skin tone, especially if not applied correctly. This can result in patches of lighter or darker skin, which doesn’t look good.
3: Increased sun sensitivity: Bleaching creams can make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays. This can potentially increase your risk of skin cancer and severe sunburn.
4: Acne breakouts: Some bleaching creams contain comedogenic ingredients, which can clog the pores and lead to acne breakouts.
5: Skin thinning: Long-term use of bleaching cream can cause the skin to become thinner and more fragile, which can lead to bruising, tearing and some other skin injuries that hardly heals.
6: Dark knuckles which is also known as hyperpigmentation of the knuckles, can occur due to a variety of reasons and bleaching creams is one of the most common causes.
7: White spots on the skin can be caused by a variety of factors, including skin conditions, infections, injuries and some bleaching creams.
8: Stretch marks which typically start as red or purple lines on the skin, which then fade over time to a silvery-white color can be caused by a variety of factors including bleaching creams.
9: Eczema also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition characterized by inflammation, dryness, itchiness, and redness of the skin. It is sometimes caused by strong bleaching cream.
10: Green veins may refer to visible veins that appear greenish in color. This may be more noticeable in individuals with fair skin and it is more visible on people who have bleached skin.
11: Sunburn is a skin condition that occurs when the skin is overexposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources such as tanning beds. It can happen to everybody, regardless of their skin color, but people who apply bleaching cream without sunscreen are more prone to it.
12: Dark circles under the eyes are a common cosmetic concern that affects many people. They can appear as dark, puffy circles or bags under the eyes, and can be caused by a variety of factors including harsh bleaching creams.
So, it is important to note that bleaching creams should only be used for a short period of time to solve skin problems like hyperpigmentation and if you experience any of the above side effects, then you need to stop using it immediately and consult a dermatologist, skincare expert or any professional healthcare provider around you.
You should also check out:
8 ways to detect hydroquinone
20 side effects of hydroquinone
20 other names of hydroquinone