The unexpected damages of lightening creams
Skin lightening creams work by reducing melanin production in the skin, thus reducing spots and getting a lighter complexion, but what are the disadvantages of lightening creams? Follow the article to know more.
Lightening creams can be used on different areas of the skin, including those that include acne scars and age spots, some of which are available by prescription and others without a prescription, but what are the most prominent damages of lightening creams? Continue reading the article to know more:
Damage of lightening creams
The general harmful effects of lightening creams include the following:
1. It contains hazardous materials
Some types of lightening creams contain substances that may harm the skin, such as: mercury, corticosteroids, and hydroquinone, knowing that some lightening creams that are available without a prescription have not been proven safe to use, so they may not provide long-term results, as the skin returns to its color. Natural after a period of use.
2. Cause irritation and inflammation of the skin
Lightening creams may contain steroids, and thus they cause acne, and they may also cause scarring, blistering, and redness.
3. Lead to changing skin color
Since some lightening creams contain hydroquinone, they may cause the skin to turn blue or black.
4. Cause massive damage
Continuous exposure to mercury in lightening creams leads to depression, tingling, numbness, headache, nausea and dizziness, in addition to many more severe damages, such as: difficulty walking, difficulty breathing, confusion, muscle weakness, vision changes, kidney damage and mercury poisoning. That requires immediate medical attention.
These are the short-term disadvantages of lightening creams, and the long-term harms caused by using these products are still unknown.
How to use lightening creams to avoid their damages
Lightening creams can be used ideally by following the following steps:
- Read all the instructions on the carton of the cream, and if you have had it with a prescription, follow your doctor's instructions.
- Apply a small amount of the cream to a small area of your skin, and leave it for the next day until you are sure of the side effects that it may cause, and in the event of ulceration, swelling or redness of the area, you should stop using the product and go to the doctor.
- Apply the cream to the affected areas of your skin, and it should usually be used twice a day, avoiding getting it in the mouth, eyes or nose.
- Do not expose your skin to direct sunlight, as whitening creams make the skin more sensitive to the sun, and use sunscreen on the treated areas if you want to go out of the house so that you do not get burns or irritation.
- Use whitening creams regularly and frequently to get the most out of it.
Special precautions when using lightening creams
The following precautions must be taken into account to avoid the damages of lightening creams:
- Seek a doctor's advice before using the lightening cream.
- Make sure it does not contain mercury, which may fall under other names, such as: Mercurio, Calomel, Mercurous or Mercuric.
- Make sure your over-the-counter lightening cream does not contain Hydroquinone greater than 2%.
- Do not buy creams that are not labeled with hydroquinone.
Important information about lightening creams
Lightening creams are divided into two main types, namely:
Prescription lightening creams
These creams can be obtained after consulting a doctor, knowing that they usually contain Hydroquinone and corticosteroids such as Hydrocortisone.
Over-the-counter lightening creams
These creams are available in stores, pharmacies and online without the need for a prescription, so you must carefully check their contents before using them on the skin.