Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Dangers of household bleach
• Part 2 of 3: Using alternative skin bleaching agents
• Part 3 of 3: Using home remedies
• Tips
• Warnings

A lot of research is being done these days into the use of bleach in skin care products (and some positive results have come out so far), yet applying household bleach to the skin is strongly discouraged by doctors. Proponents of the popular but dangerous "whitening treatment" claim that bleach has a healing, rejuvenating effect and gives the skin a youthful glow. However, it's important to remember that bleach is a caustic substance that can cause serious damage to your skin if used incorrectly.

Starting at Step 1 below, you'll find helpful information about whitening and why you shouldn't do it at home. You will also find some safer alternatives to bleach, such as home remedies and bleaches that are available without a prescription.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Dangers of household bleach

1. Know what research has shown. The current trend of using bleach on the face arose from a study conducted by Stanford University School of Medicine. This study found that diluted bleach helped heal and renew the skin of mice that had dermatitis.
   • The aim of this study was to find a solution for the eczema that many cancer patients develop after radiation or chemotherapy. However, researchers believe that bleach could also be an important ingredient in the future in treating a variety of skin problems caused by sun damage and aging.
   • While this research suggests that bleach can be the solution to a variety of skin problems, it's important to realize that the tests were done on mice, and not on people. Research on humans has yet to be done.
   • In addition, the application of bleach in cosmetics requires a lot of additional research.
2. Note that it is very difficult to make the correct dilution at home. Another point to consider is the fact that the researchers at Stanford used a very specific degree of dilution: - 0.0005 to be exact.
   • Usually bleach has a concentration of between 5% and 8%, making it many times stronger than the solution considered safe in the study.
   • Even if you are going to try to dilute the bleach yourself before using it, it is very difficult to get a concentration of 0.0005 without the necessary knowledge of dilution methods or the right tools.
   • The effect of using a dilution higher than 0.0005 has not yet been studied, and it may actually have a negative effect on the skin.
3. Note that the use of bleach on the face is not recommended by doctors. Although scientists are currently researching the use of bleach in anti-aging and rejuvenation products, applying household bleach to clean the face at home is not recommended by doctors.
   • In fact, most doctors are strongly against it. Professor Mona Gohara, dermatologist at the Yale School of Medicine says, "Bleach is far too irritating and should absolutely not be used to wash the face ... If used incorrectly, it can cause irritated and dry skin."
   • Also Dr. Daniel Shapiro, a renowned cosmetic surgeon from Phoenix, has stated that he would not try the whitening treatment at home. He says bleach may be a promising anti-aging product, but much more research needs to be done.
4. Know that bleach can burn and irritate skin. Bleach is a caustic substance - high concentrations of it can even burn a hole through stainless steel. Even in low concentrations, bleach can still burn the skin, causing it to become red, dry and irritated. And since the goal of using bleach is to have radiant, even skin, you can achieve just the opposite.
5. If you decide to apply bleach to your skin yourself, make sure you take appropriate precautions. Make sure to dilute the bleach thoroughly first. The dilution the researchers at Stanford used was even weaker than the water in a swimming pool.
   • Since it is very difficult to work with very small amounts of bleach, it is easier to use large amounts of water. Make the bleach solution by adding 1/4 teaspoon of bleach to a 3.5 liter container of warm water.
   • When it's done, use a felt-tip pen to draw a skull on the jerry can and write on it that it is poisonous. Put the jerry can somewhere to use later. Put it not in the refrigerator, or anywhere else that might make people think it's drinking water.
   • Do a test on a small area of ​​your skin before applying the bleach all over your face. Use a cotton ball to apply a little bleach under your jawline. Wait 24 hours to see if it turns red, dry, or irritated before continuing.
   • If it doesn't irritate the skin, and you want to continue with the whitening treatment, just apply a thin layer of the diluted bleach all over your face (be careful not to get it in your eyes, nose, and mouth), then leave it soak for up to ten minutes.
   • Wash the bleach off your face well with cleanser and water, then apply moisturizer immediately. If irritation does occur, do not repeat the treatment.
   • It is strongly recommended that you consult your doctor or dermatologist before applying bleach to your skin. There are many safer and more effective options, whether you want to tackle skin discoloration, acne, or signs of aging.

Part 2 of 3: Using alternative skin bleaching agents

1. Try specific face bleaching creams. A much safer option than using bleach is a specially formulated facial whitening product. These products can be purchased from drugstores and often contain ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, a well-known ingredient in bleach.
   • Bleaching creams are designed to lighten the skin and make facial hair less visible. Use them as described in the instructions.
   • Stop using these products if they irritate your skin.
2. Consider using hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is an effective bleaching cream based on retinoids (acids obtained from vitamin A) instead of bleach.
   • It is mainly used for the treatment of skin discoloration and pigmentation because it inhibits the melanin in the skin. Hydroquinone should only be applied in the evening, as it makes the skin hypersensitive to UV light.
   • Hydroquinone is only available by prescription. Caution is advised as hydroquinone is suspected to have carcinogenic properties.
   • Always consult your dermatologist before using hydroquinone.
3. Use brightening creams. If you just want more radiant skin and look younger, a cream labeled "brightening" may be right for you.
   • These types of creams are available without a prescription and contain natural bleaching ingredients such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin C or arbutin.
   • These ingredients work by inhibiting melanin production, causing less pigmentation in the skin, but they are safer than hydroquinone.
4. Apply sunscreen every day. The sun is a major culprit when it comes to skin discoloration, pigmentation and signs of aging.
   • That's why it's essential that you protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying sunscreen every day.
   • Simply using sunscreen can protect your skin from dark spots and prevent many of the skin problems associated with the sun, including skin cancer.
   • Use a factor of at least 30, and put on a hat to protect your face from direct sunlight. You should also use sunscreen in winter as the harmful UV rays can also pass through the clouds and damage your skin even when it's not hot.

Part 3 of 3: Using home remedies

1. Use lemon. The citric acid in fresh lemon is a very effective natural bleaching agent and can be used to lighten your skin and reduce discoloration and pigmentation.
   • Squeeze half a lemon and dilute it with the same amount of water. Dip a cotton ball in the liquid and dab it over your skin, focusing on the areas that need to be lightened.
   • Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and apply a nourishing moisturizer (lemon juice will dry out your skin). Repeat this several times a week for best results.
   • A word of caution - never sit in the sun when you have lemon juice on your face, as the citric acid makes your skin extra sensitive to sunlight.
2. Try yogurt and turmeric. Turmeric has been used in India to condition the skin for hundreds of years, because it makes the skin smooth, light, and young, and because it has anti-inflammatory properties.
   • To make a non-transferring mask, mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric with 2 teaspoons of rice flour and 3 tablespoons of yogurt (or milk, or cream).
   • Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, until it hardens. Rinse it off with warm water and scrub with circular motions.
3. Use aloe vera. Aloe vera is a gentle moisturizing substance that soothes red or irritated skin and can reduce discoloration.
   • Cut off an aloe vera leaf and squeeze it so that the juice (a kind of gel) comes out. Spread this juice all over your face and leave it on for as long as you want.
   • Aloe vera is very mild and safe to use, so you can apply it as often as you like.
4. Try raw potato. Because it contains a lot of vitamin C, you can bleach the skin with the juice of raw potatoes. Vitamin C is found in many skin whitening products.
   • Cut a well-washed potato in half and rub the inside of the skin you want to lighten. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off.
   • Cucumber and tomato seem to have similar properties, as they are also high in vitamin C.

Tips

• A bath of bleach is also said to be effective in treating eczema and psoriasis, as the bleach kills bacteria on the skin. To make a bleach bath, put a small cap (and no more) of bleach in a full bath of warm water. However, consult your dermatologist or doctor before attempting this.

Warnings

• If you're using bleach, always try on a small area first and wait 24 hours to see if you don't have an allergic reaction.