For Women and some Men

Skin Whitening Creams - 
to -for women and some Men 

Lightening skin tone is an ancient and well‐documented practice, and remains common practice among many cultures specially in Asian and African region. Specially women since the early days have been very considerate about the skin care and skin color had become a parameter of beauty!!! 

Skin color is due to the melanin pigments present in our skin and more melanin less fairer you look. So most of the women try to look fair by trying out different cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. 

Owing to the very high demand, Currently in the market there are numerous skin whitening products with different purposes for different body parts in diverse dosage form such as creams, gels, ointments, capsules, tablets lotions and many more. 

Whitening agents such as corticosteroids, tretinoin and hydroquinone are medically applied to effectively lighten the skin tone of hyperpigmented lesions. 
However, when these agents are used cosmetically, they are associated with a variety of side‐effect.

These products may or may not be pharmaceutical products and in Sri Lanka most of the cosmetics are not registered as borderline products. Given the loop-hall in the laws and the acts there are numerous skin care products claiming skin fairness. 

Most of these products are synthetic chemicals in proportions harmful to the skin and lack of proper regulation has created a huge market for the skin whitening products which are sold under different names and prices with no any quality standards and assurance. These are promoted as the only solution for suffering women through various media including TV channels, social media and even newspapers. 

Not all products that purport to lighten the skin are illegal and unsuitable for use,in fact there are several quality herbal preparations with proven effect,  but many creams and other dosage forms contain chemicals banned under safety regulations. These include mercury and hydroquinone. over the last 50 years hydroquinone had been the key component in skin whitening products and it acts by reducing the production of melonocytes - melanin producing cells. The prolonged use of synthetic hydroquinone is linked with 

• poisoning, 
• skin damage 
• liver and kidney malfunction 
• skin rashes 
• skin irritation
•  Death  

Also  misuse of corticosteroid creams is associated with thinning of the skin, an increased chance of skin cancer and, even with darkening of the skin. 

What you should know? 

- For all the skin problems including hyper pigmentation there are skin clinics in hospitals and specialized doctors to help you out 
- Pharmaceutical products should always be taken under a prescription 
- you should strictly follow the directions of the physicians or the pharmacists when using skin care products.  
- when buying any other fairness cream 

• check whether the product is registered in Sri Lanka 
• look for the composition of ingredients
• get the help of your pharmacists if it is sold in the pharmacy   
• check whether the directions been given properly and clearly 
• always check for the authenticity of the product.    
• avoid over night solutions !! 

Most of the products in the market could be very much misleading and they may not even mention about the composition of the products in such cases its best to avoid such preparations or seek help.  

Simply because your salon, favourite actress, or your friend recomend dont use whitening products. 

what can you do? 

Well becoming fair is a real struggle unless you are not born with it. Specially we being Asian women we do know that skin color is a parameter of beauty which is very unfair in certain circumstances. This will always make you want to apply more creams and skin care products with low quality and more side effects after all we all love to look beautiful and radiant. Rather than trying out all bleaching products and thousands of creams recommended by your salons and actresses we can simply follow these too .. 

Dearest Women and Some men, 

• Drink more water 
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables 
• Eat balanced healthy diet 
• Avoid artificial food flavors,colors and fast food 
• Keep your skin clean  
• Avoid sunlight as much as possible 

these will give you a better glowing healthier skin. 

Its always good to have a healthier glowing skin even if you are dark!!!!!!!!!! 

Well have a look 

Miss Universe 2019

reference - 

Overview of skin whitening agents with an insight into the illegal cosmetic market in Europe B. Desmedt P. Courselle

Piumishh - (B. Pharm)