BLEACHING

  

 Bleaching body and facial hair doesn't take the hair away, but can make it appear less noticeable because it lightens the color of hair to a light shade of blonde. Result last anywhere from 2-6 weeks.It is the use of chemical substances to aim to lighten skin tone or complexion by decreasing the amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its colour. It helps to protect the skin from the damaging and harmful effects of sunlight, like sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The bleach is applied over hair and left on about 10 minutes, and takes out the pigment (color) of the hair- and then it's removed with cool water. While similar ingredients (like hydrogen peroxide) are used for bleaching hair on the head, the specific formulation used on the face and body is gentler.

THE PROS

It's fast, easy and without a lot of risks. Bleaching cream can be found at any drugstore fairly cheap, and you can bleach right in your own home. Large areas of hair can be bleached at the same time, with the entire process only taking minutes from start to finish. You don't risk a lot pain or getting ingrown hairs, since you aren't removing the hair follicle.

THE CONS

1. Bleaching facial and body hair doesn't give smooth and hairless surface. These are the main reasons people want to rid hair. Even though hair is lighter, it still may be noticeable, especially if you are standing in the sun or a bright room.

2. Not all hair or skin types can benefit. Don't count on bleaching disguising long or thick hair- only finer ones, like on the face or arms. Bleached hair on dark or tan skin can still stand out because of the color contrast (light hair against dark skin).

3. The result aren't very long-lived. The hair above the surface is the only part of the hair follicle that has been lightened. As the hair grows, you will see the darker, natural color.

4. It can temporarily lighten dark skin tones. The lighter skin tone can last for up to 3 days.

BLEACHING PRECAUTIONS

Only use bleach for facial or body hair. Don't use bleach for the hair on your head, it's much stronger than the formula that's used for the face and body.

-Test product first. Do patch test product first on arm and wait 24 hours before using on large are, because you could be allergic or very sensitive to the product. Even if you don't see any redness on your arm, you still need to precaution when using on facial skin- it's generally more delicate.

-Don't bleach where you shouldn't. Only use bleach on the outside of your body. Don't use near eyes, inside nose, ears, scar tissue, wart, and moles or near genitals. Bleach shouldn't be used over sunburned, irritated, inflamed or chapped skin, or an area that is freshly tweezed or shaved. It's simply not safe.

-Don't use on extremely exfoliated skin. Bleaching isn't safe to use on areas where you are using Retinal A, Alpha Hydroxy, or Glycolic Acid.

-Keep packaged product away from heat and sun. Store bleaching product in a cool, dry place.

-Metal and bleach don't mix. Don't use a metal dish to mix bleach or apply bleach using anything metal.

-Stay out of the sun. Keep bleached area out of direct sunlight for at least 24 hours.

HOW TO BLEACH

Bleaching should be okay if done carefully. There are no age restrictions on any hair removal methods. It may cause a little irritation, but not more than it would to adult skin.

- Clean area. Lightly wash skin with cool water and gentle soap. Don't exfoliate skin or use hot water, as this can open pores and make skin more sensitive to the bleach.

-Mix product as directed. Avoid changing the ratio of the cream and powder thinking the stronger, the better. Only mix it when you are ready to begin, so the product is potent.

-Apply product. Make sure the hair is completely covered and saturated, but do not rub into the skin.

-Check it. Remove bleach from a small portion of hair with cool water and see if it's lightened enough. If not, cover back small area of hair and keep bleach on another 5 minutes.

-Take bleach off. Using cool water remove all bleach and pat dry using a towel.

-Throw away any leftover bleach. Product that has been mixed cannot be saved.

-Allow it to work. Leave product on about 10 minutes or amount of time suggested by the manufacturer. If it starts to sting or burn, take it off immediately.

SIDE EFFECTS OF FACE BLEACH

All skin bleaching products contain one of the two active ingredients---hydroquinone and mercury.

Hydroquinone lightens the color of the skin areas to which is applied by killing off the melanin-making cells-the melanocyte. It is also the active ingredient in fade-off creams for freckles, age spots, etc.

Quinone

Mercury-based bleaching creams contain ammoniated mercury or mercrous chloride as a bleaching agent.

Some of these creams may contain up to more than 25% mercury that will be harmful to health. Thus resulting in mercury poisoning, especially chronic mercury poisoning, may result. Siblings of mercury-based cream users are also found to have mercury in their urine. These goes to show that second hand poisoning is possible.

Insights About Other Harmful Effects Of Skin Bleaching

Skin bleaching destroys black pigment found in epidermis (top layer of the skin). Exposure of the dermis layer, underneath the epidermis layer, to the harsh weather will increase the incidence of skin cancer. The dermis cannot compensate for the absence of the epidermis and coupled with the hot sun...one will get a higher risk of cancer. Thus we can see that despite having fairer skin as desired, skin bleaching is also damaging to our skin.