[align=center]Just wanted to know what people's views were on skin bleaching products. There is widespread disapproval of the use of skin bleaching creams soI wanted to know why. I dont believe that bleaching skin merely for beauty reasons can be justified, only in cases of where the person may need it for medical reasons or for resons affecting their quality of life. Reasons why I am interested is becauseI havea problem patch on my face that could do with lightening, yes its seriously affecting my lifeandI have spent a fortune onnon-hydroquinone based proucts without anyluck. Ive been told that laser treatments make the skin white (i have dark skin)comparedto lighter so wouldn't be suitable. If anyoneknows ofany other form of treatments they would recommend, would be greatly appreciated otherwise it looks like me and hydroquinone would have to become aquainted. [/align]

I would say no to hydroquinone...

a)damages melanin production and reduces your protection from the sun

b)you would have to wear sunblock for life to prevent the area from redarkening...

it is a life long commitment...

and youwill end up damaging your skin...

do not do anything at home...

if you are really concerned you can always see a plastic surgeon/ or GP for safer alternatives...

or

their is something you can buy from a company called skin culture...

it does not lighten the skin or as damaging as hydroquinone...but it may help to even out your skin tone...

http://www.skinculture.com

good luck and I understand what it feels like as I had a facial scar which has now gone which made me feel uncomfortable...but please do not bleach...you can even increase your chances of developing skin cancer...and you are poisening your body at the same time...

I have dark marks over my body due to eczema, they look unsightly but I would never use skin bleaching cream. People may stare but I don't give a shit,if their braveenough to ask me what it is then I will tell them straight. Any excuse for using skin bleaching products is a lame excuse in my opinion. If ur so worried about this patch why don't u see a skin specialist? They will test it to see exactly what it is, then work out a treatment for u.

I have a very bad skin complexion and use a lightner on some parts of my face and neck. I use the new Neutrogena Soy skin lightening cleanser etc. It works well for me. You should try it. I feel you on the lightener because, I am "yellow" but have very dark spots on alot of parts of my body. They are embarassing. I just want to be all one color whether it is getting an even tan or lightening my skin to an even tone.

i think it's fine to get rid of unslightly blotches and blemishes...I know I had horrible skin because of breakouts...and i use to pick them so I had blemishes... I went to the dermatologist and he gave me a fading cream...and it worked...my skin is all one color like it was when I was little instead of blotchy and stuff...I think it's okay only in similar cases...but it's just sad when someone bleaches their entire skin b/c they hate being dark

skin bleaching is a Big no no. hydroquinone should be avoided. its banned in europe and even africa has started banning it

go see a dermatologist

I dont believe in using bleaching craeams although i do use it on my elbows and that is the only place,i would never used it on my face as i think it damages ur skin and if u happen to scare where u have used it u would scare very badly. It really doesnt make sence and besides that u can always tell when someone has bleached there skin and to me it is not a very pretty sight. When i have scares iwould rub lime juice on them and to me that alone fades scares instead of using those dumb chemical stuffs and u can alsotry reading health books and see if there is any natural remedies that would hep ur skin that they sell in those health shops i always believe it is better to use natural stuff.

A friend and I are doing a feature for the Independent on skin bleaching schemes. Have you, or anyone that you know, tried bleaching creams? If so, what were your experiences? Do you still use them? Would you be prepared to be quoted in the paper?

Thank you very much for your help.
Ayousha

Please email me at: anacondacapoeira@hotmail.com with your comments or feedback. If you would like to be featured in the paper please include your contact details.

Hi I'm in Jamaica and interested in skin bleaching. There are a few products availablehere but I'd like to know which products are on sale in the UK.

Chances are the products in the UK have reached higher safety standards than most ofthose on sale here.

Ideally, I like to find one that has reached your safety standards and is also availabe here.

If anyone can offer some advice, it would be appreciated.

Dawn

hi

i know i'll get alot of comments fo this, but i do use skin bleaching. i have fair black skin, and i get bad acne scarring on my back, so i do bleach it and it works ok.

in the uk there is 'Fade out' http://www.finefragrancesandcosmetics.com/which is sold everywhere and also Palmer's fade cream which is vv good moisturiser.

hydroquinone and mercury cosmetics were banned in the uk since 1999

some of them convert melenin to colourless leuco-melanin which is safe and still protects the skin

for blacks with acne scarring/pigment probs, skin bleaching is alot cheaper and gives better results than chemical peels or laser thereapy which can leave blotcy white/dark patches on black peoples skin

@Medusa..is that the Malian songbirdOumou Sangare I spy in your signature pic? Man that lady can sing, my favourite female artist after Angelique Kidjo