The latter part of the 20th Century has seen the ideals of beauty shifted from the Jane Austen period of powdered white reflections to the tanned holiday kissed looks of Jessica Alba. It appears, more and more people aspire (perhaps on a subconscious level) for what is current. Very much like the times before us, society continues to shape and influence us even on our skin colour.
Despite Britain fast becoming a multi-cultural nation, have we truly accepted this change or are we striving towards an idealised skin tone? Perhaps not every individual conforms to this beauty stereotype. However, there are still a large number of people using bleaching creams to warrant serious concern. And Skin Lightening Obsession
Top selling illegal bleaching creams are not limited to the African and Asian continent alone, but in many ethnic parts of the UK, these products are flying off the shelf. If we look towards every day advertisements as a prime example of what consumers want, we often see lighter skinned celebrities/models such as Cheryl Cole airbrushed to look darker and darker skinned celebrities such as Beyonce airbrushed to look lighter. These advertisements are about selling, not educating. Lack of education suppresses the danger of these non-prescription bleaching products. For many individuals, going to such extreme lengths to look like their icon celebrities is enough to tempt them in to using a high risk product. To put it in simple but perhaps dangerous terms, we choose beauty over safety. As a collective, we need to encourage the perception or definition of beauty towards a more open, accepting and healthier image.
For many individuals who have traveled down the path of these creams and religiously applying them, the results have been destructive. Unlicensed lightening creams contain high levels of corticosteroids and hydroquinone which in such high doses can lead to uneven bleached skin, hypo-pigmentation, intense irritation, burns and thinness of skin.
Bleach obsession has led to adverse side effects and the need to invest in systems and treatments to combat this issue. Medical grade Microdermabrasion is a clinical treatment and suitable for all skin types. It is used to help reverse the disastrous effects of illegal bleaching creams. With each treatment, a superficial damaged skin layer is removed, without causing any further permanent damage and with a fresh new layer of skin in its place. With absolutely no downtime, the Medical Microdermabrasion is quick and flexible to fit around a busy work or home schedule.
Alternative safer forms of lightening creams have also been researched and approved. A combination of natural ingredients and without the need for harsh chemicals will help to remove surface/internal pigmentation and uneven skin tone. The Laser Treatment Clinic recommends using the Ultra-Smooth Sea Polish with the Ultra-Light Derma White for an at home clinic result. In addition, faster and maximum results can be achieved when combining the Medical grade Microdermabrasion treatment with the products.
Written by: Sophie Hafez
