The 411 on Skin Bleaching

How skin bleaching is bad for your skin and your soul.

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Break Out the Moisturizer - In order to protect the skin from fall’s colder air, you’ll want to apply a rich facial moisturizer. Not only does it provide hydration, but it helps reduce water loss and a creates barrier to safeguard your skin from the elements.  (Photo: Lena Clara/Getty Images)
It’s a Booming Industry - It’s estimated that the skin bleaching industry rakes in billions of dollars each year. Skin bleaching is a global phenomenon and is extremely popular in India, China, Pakistan, Jamaica and numerous African countries such as Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. A recent report found that in Nigeria a whopping 77 percent of women use these products regularly. (Photo: REUTERS/George Mulala)/content/dam/betcom/images/2013/08/Health/081213-health-female-friends-women-girlfriends-homeless-youth-teens-group.jpg

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Understanding Skin Bleaching and Its Dangers - Recently, Nigerian-Cameroonian pop musician Dencia has come under fire for launching Whitenicious, a line of skin bleaching products aimed for Black women. But she isn’t the only one: Skin-bleaching companies are a booming industry around the world. But do these products send the wrong message to women of color? Better yet: Are they even safe? — Kellee Terrell (@kelleent) (Photos from Left: Allison Joyce/Reuters, Whitenicious)

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