Beauty treatments like facials are one of the most popular choices to clean the face. It is known to cleanse, scrub, get rid of the grit, pores and hydrate the skin leaving it soft and supple. Many facial packages also include bleaching. It is used in cosmetic treatments to reduce the appearance of dark facial hair and make the skin look even. The harmful presence of chemicals can cause detrimental effects on the skin in the longer run.
Here are the side effects of regular facial bleaching:
Irritation and redness
The presence of certain ingredients like ammonia can irritate the skin, and cause redness, swelling and burning sensation. This is more challenging for those with sensitive skin. It can also be an allergic reaction and can cause symptoms like itching, swelling and blisters.
Drying out the skin
The chemicals in the bleach can strip off the moisture and natural oils of the skin. This will leave the skin dry, dull and more prone to damage.
Hyperpigmentation
Regular usage of facial bleach can lead to hyperpigmentation, the skin turns darker in certain areas. The harsh chemicals increase melanin production in our skin.
Skin Sensitivity
Prolonged use of facial bleach can make the skin more sensitive and prone to irritation. The harsh chemicals can expose the outer layer of the skin to UltraViolet (UV) rays and pollution. This makes the skin super sensitive.
Premature ageing
The more damage the skin suffers, the quicker it will show signs of premature ageing. Facial bleach breaks down the skin’s collagen (elasticity component), which results in fine lines, wrinkles and the skin to sag.
Bleach can penetrate the layers of skin with regular use and enter the bloodstream, which will pose a huge risk to health and lead to respiratory problems, hormonal imbalance and cancer risk. You can consider minimising the usage or stopping it altogether and opt for a laser treatment or use homemade remedies to brighten up the skin. If you have to use bleach at all, use products with low active ingredient concentration. Before applying directly to the face, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to see how it reacts. Always follow up the bleach step with moisturiser.
