If you have acne scars, freckles or age spots on your face, you may be considering using a skin whitening product to lighten and blend your skin tone. Over-the-counter and prescription bleaching creams come with a chance of negative side effects that range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Talk to a dermatologist to determine if facial bleaching is an option for you and to ensure that the product you choose to use is completely safe.
Irritation
The New Zealand Dermatological Society's website states that hydroquinone is a topical treatment used to lighten dark areas of skin, most often on the face. Side effects associated with facial bleaching using hydroquinone include irritation of the skin. This irritation frequently goes away with continued use. If you use hydroquinone for facial bleaching and experience severe pain or itching, or if the skin on your face becomes crusty or swollen, discontinue using the medication and contact your doctor. Drugs.com states that if you have allergies to hydroquinone, use of the product can cause hives and breathing difficulties.
Skin Discoloration
Extended use of facial bleaching products, including hydroquinone, can lead to severe skin discoloration, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As of 2010, the FDA was conducting further studies to determine the safety of hydroquinone. The New Zealand Dermatological Society's website states that prolonged skin bleaching with hydroquinone can cause a condition known as exogenous ochronosis. If you use facial lightening products and notice your skin turning blue or black, you may be experiencing this side effect. Stop using your bleaching product and consult your doctor.
Mercury Poisoning
An article in the Boston Globe reports that many facial bleaching products that are made outside of the U.S. contain high levels of mercury. People who use these lightening creams increase the mercury levels in their bodies to harmful levels, resulting in mercury poisoning. Women who intake high levels of mercury when pregnant can do massive damage to their unborn babies. Babies born to mothers exposed to mercury during pregnancy experience severe problems with memory, coordination and language skills. Mercury poisoning can cause damage to your nervous system, kidneys and digestive organs.
