Our skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin that our body produces. How much this pigment will be produced by our body depends upon different factors such as genetics, diet and sun exposure, but it is mostly credited to inheritance. Our skin colour is mainly inherited from our parents, and other factors play a small part in determining the skin tone.
In Malaysia, like most Asian countries, the lighter skin colour is considered desirable. This causes an unconscious bias in favour of people with lighter skin tone. Men and women with lighter skin tones are unconsciously favoured during job interviews, business meeting, dating and on any competitive ground. This demand has created a market for several skin lightening products and procedures.
Different skin lightening treatments available in the market include skin whitening pills and creams, Chemical skin peels, laser skin lightening treatment, and skin whitening drips.
The skin lightening products and procedures are not only marketed in Asian countries but across the globe. However, sadly not all of the treatments including pills, creams, and procedures are safe. Many of the products do not even meet the regulatory safety measures imposed by the health ministry of countries and thus are banned in those countries.
Skin Whitening Creams and Pills
Many skin whitening creams have different kinds of toxic chemicals which can damage your skin and cause skin related problems. Such toxins can also lead to other health issues like renal failure, blindness and deafness when absorbed in the body for a more extended period. One such example is mercury and its derivatives which have been banned skincare products by several countries of the world. Hydroquinone is also a well known skin-whitening agent in many skin creams which can have serious health consequences on prolonged usage.
Chemical Skin Peel
A deep chemical skin peel will leave your face red for up to two months until your skin regrows and heals completely. After the treatment, your skin is raw until 3 to 5 weeks after and requires care as it is at high risk of infection during that time. Chemical skin peels involve the risk of scarring, infections and discolouration. Possible side effects of chemical skin peeling also include heart, kidney or liver damage.
Laser Skin Lightening
The laser can be very precise in targeting the dark coloured pigments and destroying them; this is why laser treatment has been used for hair removal and tattoo removal. Overall using laser for skin lightening is considered very safe. Still, there is always a slight risk of cellular damage, infections, acne outbreak, scarring and darkening of the skin due to skin burn. Although when in hands of a certified and experienced doctor, chances of such complications are slim, but they are still a possibility that one should keep in mind.
Whitening Drips
Whitening drip is a safe painless, non-invasive procedure that works its way from inside out. High-Quality whitening drips contain glutathione, a naturally occurring antioxidant which supports the overall health of skin and lightens the skin colour. While our body is capable of producing this antioxidant naturally, it is never created or consumed through food in enough quantity to produce the desired skin lightening effect. Whitening drips are loaded with healthy nutrients including glutathione, vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin B6 and folic acid that help improves your skin and health from inside.
However, there is no FDA approved formula for skin whitening drips, and different brands are marketing products made according to their standards. It’s a cocktail that will enter directly into your bloodstream; therefore, you should be very careful about from where you are getting the whitening drip and is the person administering the drip qualified? A substandard product may introduce toxins directly into your bloodstream leading to serious health complications like organ failure.
If you are receiving a whitening drip from a professional doctor, this is the safest route to go. A high-end drip will be free of any components that cause health problems and instead will heal your body from inside. Elements like glutathione and ascorbic acid will naturally lighten your skin giving it a healthy glow. The candidates who have received this drip reports a more even skin tone, healthier skin, and lightening of scars and marks. They also reported feeling more active and fresh due to the vitamins and nutrients pushed into their body.
