Medical Consequences of Bleaching (Toning)

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Bleaching or toning of the skin is now vogue in our society. This plague, cut across sex, age and religion backgrounds. As men, women and elderly people of various religion doctrines are already victims.

 

The quest of beauty and material benefits are the most recognized social inferiority complex, which drag majority into this act of self-vandalization. We should not forget BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL an adage that gained acceptance, time immemorial. Hence, the searches of dark pigmentation by whites through, the process of sunbathe (sun-tanned).

 

In the light of the foregoing, a brief anatomy of the human skin and possible effects of bleaching agents to it, will be mandatory. Anatomically, the skin is the largest single organ of the body. Apart from its sensory function, it is a water-proof layer concerned with prevention of fluid loss; a temperature regulating organ, both because of the variability of its vascular supply and the presence of sweat glands which may be acted on by sunlight to produce vitamin D. Structurally, the skin consists of the superficial, cellular layer of ectodermal origin; the epidermis and a deeper layer derived from the mesoderm; the dermis.

 

The epidermis is made up of stratified squamous epithelium and varies in thickness from 0.3mm to 1.0mm or more. In thick skin ,it may be derived into a number of layers from within outwards.

 

In deepest layers of the epidermis are dendritic cells, the branching processes of which pass superficially between the adjacent epithelial cells. These are the epidermal melanocytes, which are responsible for the production of melanin (absorbs ultraviolet light) and its transfer to the other cells of the dermis.  The dermis is the innermost layer for collagen and elastic fibers. It  is further subdivided into; a papillary superficial layer and a deeper reticular layer, which fades into the subcutaneous tissues. The dermis also contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, sebaceous glands, the superficial and deep muscles of the hair follicles.

 

   During the course of bleaching or toning, the layers of epidermis are eroded and the vital components of dermis are endangered, all by the toxic chemical agents. These agents have been incriminated as chemical carcinogens, and are ingredients of cream, soap and lotions used in bleaching and toning ,good example of such chemicals are; mercurial compounds, hydroquinone, imidazolinyl urea, methylparaben, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (benzpyrene) , hydrocortisone, etc.

 

The harmful effect of these substances on the skin triggers the action of physical carcinogens, the commonest being ultraviolet light. On exposure to  sun ,these agents begin to play a concert on the melanin-depleted skin and process of carcinomatosis stimulated; namely, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of the skin. Atmospheric degradation of ozone layer by industrial gases, predispose such bleachers to high incidence of cancer related to UV-Light.

 

Consequentially, the fragile skin layer (stratum spinosum) that is left can no longer withstand harsh environmental conditions and is vulnerable to infections, bleeding on any slight abrasion and generally prone to shrinking. This lead to different skin appearance, as the melanin store is disrupted. The bleacher now2 presents with hypo pigmented and hyper pigmented patches, which in very bad case, can hardly be distinguished from lepromatous skin changes. What a disaster?.

 

Financially, norms of bleaching are an extravagant venture, in which useful funds are siphoned for destruction. What a mess?. Such funds should better be used for good food to re-vitalize the “nature’s gift ‘’ than inviting palaver. More so, the culprits of bleaching are never at ease when their hypocrisy is detected. Henceforth, stop bleaching or toning and be very protective to your natural complexion.

 

In conclusion. It is not late to redeem yourself and be out of this self-mutilation. To be warned is better than to be harmed. Hitherto, Black is comparable to nothing!

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