Clive Anderson - AT THE DERMATOLOGIST THE BLEACHING syndrome appears to be a combination of several symptoms, some psychological, some social and medical, that manifests in the determination to lighten ones skin colour regardless of the damage done to this vital organ.
The fact is there is no safe way to bleach large areas of the skin.
Our skin colour is determined by the distribution of a pigment melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced in certain cells called melanocytes and shipped off to the other cells in the skin in packets of melanosomes. All races have the same number of melanocytes so the differences in skin colour are due to the number, size and aggregation of the melanosomes. Melanin appears to absorb and deflect UV light resulting in greater protection from skin cancers in dark skinned persons. Additionally, the increased melanin acts as a sunblock and reduces the photoaging effect of the sun resulting in people with dark skin appearing to age better than our melanin challenged brethren.
As skin specialists we treat many skin conditions where changes in pigment have occurred. Some of these changes result in excess pigment being deposited in the skin leaving a spot or patch that is darker than the surrounding skin. These cases are usually confined to small areas of the skin and can be treated effectively and safely using a variety of means.
The persons afflicted with the bleaching syndrome do not suffer from any skin disease but are convinced by virtue of their education, upbringing, and socialisation that there are better opportunities for the so-called browning in our society. They are so convinced that they are willing to suffer horrific skin damage in order to fulfil this quest for a less pigmented and a brighter life.
The bleaching syndrome is a long (lifetime) process of self dislike that culminates in the attempt to bleach/tone the skin of large areas of the body, or smaller more visible areas where the skin is thin and therefore easily damaged such as the face. Various products are used depending on ones finances and determination. These include, but are not limited to, toothpaste, household bleach and curry mixed into pastes with various creams for the less financially secure. The more well to do use the myriad creams that are available illegally downtown or on the shelves of our stores. These creams are of two types - a potent steroid or a strong hydroquinone preparation. Several brands exist including Movate, Lemon Gel, Fair & White and the most popular Neoprosone.
Average cost appears to be about $150 per tube and the body bleacher uses 4-5 tubes weekly (a conservative estimate) Neoprosone gel is a strong steroid. It is a prescription medicine that is approved for the treatment of itchy skin conditions. This preparation has several adverse effects, one of which is its bleaching of the skin. There are others.
Persons who use this and other creams like it are using it for the adverse effect of skin bleaching, the other adverse effects will follow sooner or later.
THESE ARE: -
Stretch marks
Acne
Increased blood vessels
Thinning of the skin
Increased susceptibility
to skin infections
Increased bruising
Increased sensitivity to
the sun
Increased likelihood of
skin cancer
As far as we are aware the so-called bleaching pill is a hoax. There is no tablet that will safely bleach the skin
How do we convince people that the inevitable skin damage is not a reasonable price to pay for becoming a browning?
So far the response seems to be " if you want good."
Dr. Clive Anderson is a
dermatologist
