Skin whitening
Melanin reduction treatment
Skin whitening is the practice of using products or procedures to lighten skin tone, reduce melanin, or fade dark spots.
The industry is enormous in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, driven by colorism and beauty standards that favor lighter complexions.
Methods range from topical creams containing hydroquinone or kojic acid to laser treatments.
Also called skin bleaching or skin lightening.
- bleachingChemical color removal
- colorismBias based on complexion
- kojic acidFungus-derived skin lightener
- hydroquinoneAromatic compound, two OH groups
- melaninNatural coloring compound
brightening · dark spots · toxicity · hyperpigmentation · side effects · chemical peels · exfoliation · laser treatment · melanocytes · colonialism · glutathione · psychological harm · self esteem · vitamin C · toning · epidermis · beauty standards · beauty industry
Skin whiteningtanning
Curing hides or bronzing
sunbathing · bronzing · spray tan · self-tanner · suntan
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