Bleaching - is it bad for your skin?

by Valerie
(Pasig, Manila, Philippines)

Hi, i was just wondering. Bleaching your skin makes it really lighter but i've heard it has dire effects on your skin. Meaning, though it lightens your complexion, it damages your skin hence, you really need to apply sunblock before sun exposure just so you dont get darker. I know that we must really apply sunblock to protect our skin, but bleaching makes the skin unprotected. Please do enlighten me since I really want to become lighter. Also, I have been using kojic acid soap, but it seems that my body itches after the shower and my face becomes kinda red and bumps appear on my face. I'm worried that it could destroy my face. :(

Thank you very much!!!

Answer:

Hi Valerie, skin whitening / bleaching or lightenng does not rely on products alone. Proper use is the key.

Under the skin bleaching process, skin peeling is one of the effects which makes skin sun sensitive. Please note that it is NOT only skin whitening that causes skin to be sun sensitive. There are other procedures causing this - chemical peels, laser therapies, retinol treatments, etc.

If you use the right SPF sunscreen, lightened skin is already protected. However, if you stay exposed to the sun for more than 2 hours between 9am-4pm without re-applying sunscreen, that is what causes the damage. Sunscreen CANNOT totally block sun damage, it can only contol it for a certain period of time.

Even if you are NOT in the skin lightening regimen, we ALL need sunscreen in our daily skin care to avoid premature wrinkling and sunburn. Unprotected skin from prolonged sun exposure can cause skin cancer, regardless of what your skin regimen is.

Itching, stinging, peeling are all part of the skin whitening process. But if you develop bumps and don't fade away, your skin might be too sensitive to the strong whitening ingredient of the papaya soap. You may opt to choose a milder whitening soap.

Hope that helps.

MAria