[b]Bleaching is the process of whitening or
lightening any material by the use of
chemicals. While, skin bleaching basically
involves using chemicals to lighten skin tone
or provide an even skin complexion by
lessening the concentration of melanin in
the human skin.
Melanin is responsible for giving black
colouring in the human skin. When skin
bleaching cream is applied of the body, the
effectiveness of the pigment is hindered.
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), 77 per cent of Nigerian women use
skin-lightening products, the world’s
highest percentage. That compares with 59
per cent in Togo, and 27 per cent in Senegal.
The reasons for this are varied but most
people say they use skin-lighteners because
they want “white skin” and look more
beautiful.
Research shows that it is not only women
though who are obsessed with bleaching
their skins. Some men too are involved in
the practice.
There are various reasons why people
bleach their skins to become whiter than
they were before which include among
others: low self-esteem, self-hate, peer
group and quest for beauty, because in
many parts of Africa, lighter-skinned women
are considered more beautiful and are
believed to be more successful and likely to
find marriage.
The numbers of people that dive into
bleaching are on the increase, the truth is,
skin bleaching comes with hazardous health
consequences, which include blood cancers
such as leukemia and cancers of the liver
and kidneys as well as severe skin
conditions.
It is true that some persons look good when
they apply bleaching cream on their skins,
but what about the consequences or
adverse effects of making use of bleaching
cream. There are many dangers associated
with bleaching, be it face whitening or the
entire skin bleaching. The adverse effects of
skin bleaching are: vulnerability to body
infections, stretch marks exposure, skin
weakening, vulnerability to injuries, exposes
the veins, intense irritation, redness,
pigmentation, vulnerability to body
infections.
The growth in skin bleaching is more in
some parts of the world like Asia, Africa and
in the Middle East. The high demand of skin
lightening cream in those parts of the world
is because their population is mainly dark
skinned. As a result of this, many want to
look like the English and hence lightening up
their skin colour.
Most hard-core bleachers use illegal
ointments containing toxins like mercury, a
metal that blocks production of melanin,
which gives the skin its colour, but can also
be toxic.
There are a number of materials or
chemicals used in skin bleaching. Few
among the many are: mercury,
hydroquinone, niacinamide, kojic acid,
arbutin, lactic acid, gel, shea butter, topical
retinoids, and corticosteroids among others.
Mercury is the very dangerous chemical that
medical officials found in the skin lightening
creams that sickened the women, the
dangers of mercury are several. It can
damage the kidneys and wreak havoc on
the nervous system.
Symptoms of mercury toxicity include:
irritability, headaches, difficulty
concentrating, forgetfulness, memory loss,
numbness, tingling in the hands, feet or
around the lips, insomnia, depression and
weight loss.
Hence, if you have experienced any of these
symptoms after using an unmarked cream,
see your doctor right away.[/b]

Oga abeg Edit your post, too many errors, ehn. Una no wan make person dey come nairaland again?