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Medical Consequences of Bleaching (Toning) By Dr. Adamu Danladi Dawud
Bleaching
or toning of the skin is now vogue in our society. This plague, cut
across sex, age and religion backgrounds. As men, women and elderly
people of various religion doctrines are already victims. The
quest of beauty and material benefits are the most recognized social
inferiority complex, which drag majority into this act of self-vandalization.
We should not forget BLACK IS
BEAUTIFUL an adage that gained acceptance, time immemorial. Hence,
the searches of dark pigmentation by whites through, the process of
sunbathe (sun-tanned). In
the light of the foregoing, a brief anatomy of the human skin and
possible effects of bleaching agents to it, will be mandatory.
Anatomically, the skin is the largest single organ of the body. Apart
from its sensory function, it is a water-proof layer concerned with
prevention of fluid loss; a temperature regulating organ, both because
of the variability of its vascular supply and the presence of sweat
glands which may be acted on by sunlight to produce vitamin D.
Structurally, the skin consists of the superficial, cellular layer of
ectodermal origin; the epidermis and a deeper layer derived from the
mesoderm; the dermis. The
epidermis is made up of stratified squamous epithelium and varies in
thickness from 0.3mm to 1.0mm or more. In thick skin ,it may be derived
into a number of layers from within outwards. In
deepest layers of the epidermis are dendritic cells, the branching
processes of which pass superficially between the adjacent epithelial
cells. These are the epidermal melanocytes, which are responsible for
the production of melanin (absorbs ultraviolet light) and its transfer
to the other cells of the dermis. The
dermis is the innermost layer for collagen and elastic fibers. It
is further subdivided into; a papillary superficial layer and a
deeper reticular layer, which fades into the subcutaneous tissues. The
dermis also contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, sebaceous glands,
the superficial and deep muscles of the hair follicles.
During the course of bleaching or toning, the layers of epidermis
are eroded and the vital components of dermis are endangered, all by the
toxic chemical agents. These agents have been incriminated as chemical
carcinogens, and are ingredients of cream, soap and lotions used in
bleaching and toning ,good example of such chemicals are; mercurial
compounds, hydroquinone, imidazolinyl urea, methylparaben, polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (benzpyrene) , hydrocortisone, etc. The
harmful effect of these substances on the skin triggers the action of
physical carcinogens, the commonest being ultraviolet light. On exposure
to sun ,these agents begin
to play a concert on the melanin-depleted skin and process of
carcinomatosis stimulated; namely, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma and melanoma of the skin. Atmospheric degradation of ozone
layer by industrial gases, predispose such bleachers to high incidence
of cancer related to UV-Light. Consequentially,
the fragile skin layer (stratum spinosum) that is left can no longer
withstand harsh environmental conditions and is vulnerable to
infections, bleeding on any slight abrasion and generally prone to
shrinking. This lead to different skin appearance, as the melanin store
is disrupted. The bleacher now2 presents with hypo pigmented and hyper
pigmented patches, which in very bad case, can hardly be distinguished
from lepromatous skin changes. What a disaster?. Financially,
norms of bleaching are an extravagant venture, in which useful funds are
siphoned for destruction. What a mess?. Such funds should better be used
for good food to re-vitalize the “nature’s gift ‘’ than inviting
palaver. More so, the culprits
of bleaching are never at ease when their hypocrisy is detected.
Henceforth, stop bleaching or toning and be very protective to your
natural complexion. In
conclusion. It is not late to redeem yourself and be out of this
self-mutilation. To be warned is better than to be harmed. Hitherto,
Black is comparable to nothing! Written
by: DR. ADAMU DANLADI DAWUD Co-ordination Physician BIOPREVENT
CONSULT PHASEIII,
GWAGWALADA F.C.T
– ABUJA. E-MAIL: biopreventmails@yahoo.com
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