What are the risks of bleaching?

Question

Due to bad genetics mainly, I'm about as dark as that Alek Wek model and she isn't considered that pretty by most, is she?

Anyway, it's really getting me down and may be responsible for my being single for a while and I don't want to be Beyonce's skin tone just a shade or two lighter may make me look a little more presentable.

Answer 1

it may make your hair fall out and the color may not suit you. make sure before you bleahc, you are POSATIVE you want it

Answer 2

Just because you are dark does not mean you are not pretty.You can be dark and still beautiful,stop feeling insecure about yourself and feel confident.Personally I think that Alek Wek is pretty.But if you want to go two shades lighter,you can go to a dermatologist so he can recommend you a safe product.Two shades lighter is a lot,do not go buy lightening product that you never used.The risks of bleaching is that you can get cancer.

Answer 3

First of all, I think Alek Wek's skin is beautiful, and SOOOO unique! Secondly, if you want to bleach your skin, well, you saw what happened to Michael Jackson. He now claims he has vitiligo, or a skin pigmentation disease, which may or may not be true, but that boy definitely bleaches, and it is my own belief that the reason he's so white now is because he permanently damaged his skin by bleaching, so now the only shade he can go without the spots showing up is that weird pasty alien color that he is. Don't do it!!! LOVE YOURSELF!!!

Answer 4

You should be proud of your skin tone, Skin bleach are very very dangerous and they won't give you an uneven skin tone.

I am sure you have a lovely skin colour so enjoyed it as it is, Alek wek is not pretty but she has a lovely skin. And bleaching your skin certainly won't make you more presentable it will just damage your skin.

Lots of women are not happy with there skin, I am white and I wish everyday I had a nice golden skin but the sun is dangerous and fake tan make me look like a carrots so we have to live with our skin and concentrate on the things we like about ourselves.

Good luck

Answer 5

I think that model is gorgeous! The reason you've been single is it sounds like you have 0 self confidence. I'm sure your skin color is absolutely beautiful just the way it is. Don't you dare think about making your skin "lighter" to be "more presentable". Thats awful. The fact that a woman who has a simliar skin tone to you is a model should say alot to you- many many people all over the world consider her stunning and beautiful, so why cant you consider yourself the same way!! Be who you are and know you're beautiful please! Don't mess with your skin!!!

Answer 6

Ok, this is a tough question. I kind of see JUSTFLAWLESS' point, we loko down upon skin bleaching but tanning is just the same thing. tanning is pale, white people wanting darker skin cause they are not happy with their color, just like bleaching is for darker color skin people not happy with their color. Tanning also has its ups and down, it is just as dangerous to tan but since its more common then we try to find safer ways to do it.

I dont think you should bleach your skin. You knwo how dangerous that is? Are you willing to put your health at risk just for appereance? Believe, I know how it feels not to be comfortable with you appreance but remember that the cure might end up being worst than the problem. This is something you need tot hink about seriously, especially if you are young. Embrace your color, I am sure you are beautiful. I have a few black friends who are SUPER dark and they are beautiful, they have the confidence and they have style.

Answer 7

Do not bleach your skin.
I am not sure if you have read or heard about L-Glutathione pills. they are antioxidants meant to clean the liver of toxins but they have a side effect ------ SKIN WHITENING. also, skin will glow, you will feel better and your immune system will get a boost.
it is not bad genetics that you are dark, you are dark so that you will have more protection against the sun. don't ever feel bad that you are dark.
if you are single because you are too dark, then be happy that you don't waste your time on guys who are vain. Focus on your other qualities, there are plenty of guys there who don't care how you look but how you treat other people.

Answer 8

i'll be a little different from what others said here..

sunnygirl2k4, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting or needing something that wil make you feel better.. if skin lightening is one of them, then do it.. although skin lightening is more criticized in the US, both skin tanning and skin lightening have the same objectives - better self-esteem or to correct skin problems, right?.. the only difference lies in one's cultural identity and tradition..

skin lighteners become dangerous ONLY if you use products with hydroquinone, mercury or steroids.. you've read here how these can harm you.. BUT there are safe skin lighteners out there that you can use even for long term periods.. remember skin lightening products dont work alone to achieve the shade that you want.. go to this site and see how you can improve your skin tone effectively..

Answer 9

The long term effects of using skin lightening products

Hydroquinone or Mercury applied to the skin will react with ultra violet rays and re-oxidise, leading to more pigmentation and premature ageing. More product is then applied in an attempt to correct the darker blotchy appearance.


These are the beginnings of a vicious cycle. By altering the skins natural structure and inhibiting the production of Melanin, it’s natural protection, the skin is more susceptible to skin cancer.


Prolonged use of Hydroquinone will thicken collegen fibres damaging the connective tissues. The result is rough blotchy skin leaving it with a spotty cavier appearance.


Mercury will slowly accumulate within the skin cells striping the skin of it’s natural pigment leaving behind the tell tale signs of gray/ blue pigmentation in the folds of the skin. In the long term the chemical will damage vital organs and lead to liver and kidney failure and mercury poisoning.


How skin lightening products work

There are two chemicals found in skin lightening products, Hydroquinone or Mercury.


o Hydroquinone (C6H6O2) is a severely toxic and very powerful chemical used in photo processing, the manufacture of rubber and is an active agent in hair dyes.


o Mercury in the form of Mercury Chloride & Ammoniated Mercury is carcinogenic. They appear on the list of toxic substances that can only be purchased via pharmacies with prescribed labels of toxicity.


Both products perform a similar process. In the short term they will initially cause the skin to lighten by inhibiting the production of melanin. Without melanin formation in the basal layer no brown pigmentation will be visible.


The long term effects, however, are those that must be addressed.

Answer 10

Wow, so you've bought into the lie that dark skin is ugly and light skin is beautiful, when the truth is both are equally beautiful. I've seen girls as white as powder, and I think that's pretty. I've also seen girls as brown as dark chocolate, and I think that's pretty, too. It's so amazing how God's given us so many different skin tones, eye colors, hair textures... Each different, yet all expressions of beauty.

That makes me very sad you feel that way. I wish you could see your beauty...But alas, I guess everyone's intitled to their preferences.

In any case, unless you want to take some serious risks with cancer, I think you should just learn to love your beautiful dark skin. ^_^

Answer 11

I think alek wek is beautiful you should not bleach your skin, it would be so boring if everybody looked alike in the world.