Why People Risk Their Lives To Bleach Their Skin | Shady | Refinery29

Summary

The video delves into the controversial and growing global skin bleaching industry, particularly in the Philippines where light skin is associated with beauty and social status. It highlights the dangers of cheap, mercury-laced skin whitening products smuggled into the country, despite being banned. Activist Thony Dizon works to combat the distribution of these toxic creams. The video also explores the cultural factors driving the demand for lighter skin and the economic motivations behind skin whitening, while showcasing the risks people are willing to take to achieve societal standards of beauty.

Takeaways

• 💡 Skin bleaching is a controversial and rapidly growing sector in the global beauty industry.
• ⚠️ Skin tone can impact social and economic opportunities, leading to increased demand for skin whitening products.
• 🌍 The skin whitening market is projected to grow to over $24 billion, with Asia, particularly the Philippines, being a major consumer.
• 🇵🇭 In the Philippines, 1-in-2 people have reportedly tried skin whitening products as part of an effort to enhance social mobility.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Vicki Belo, a celebrity dermatologist, offers skin whitening treatments including IV drips with glutathione, a controversial ingredient not approved by the FDA for cosmetic use.
• 🛑 Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, is commonly found in illegal and cheap skin whitening creams, posing severe health risks such as kidney failure and birth defects.
• 🕵️ Thony Dizon, an activist at Ecowaste Coalition, is leading efforts to combat the smuggling and illegal sale of dangerous skin whitening products in the Philippines.
• 💰 Some customs officials are involved in allowing the importation of these illegal products, viewing them as beneficial for Filipinos who cannot afford expensive treatments.
• 🔬 Testing revealed that some skin whitening creams contain mercury levels that are 42,000 times the legal limit, making them extremely hazardous.
• 🏆 Despite the challenges, activists like Thony are making strides in getting government agencies to take action and remove these toxic products from the market.

Q & A

What is skin bleaching, and why is it controversial?

Skin bleaching, also known as skin lightening or whitening, is the practice of using products to lighten skin tone by reducing melanin production. It is controversial due to health risks, including the use of harmful chemicals like mercury, and the social implications of associating lighter skin with beauty and status.

Why do some people in the Philippines prioritize skin whitening?

In the Philippines, lighter skin is often associated with beauty, higher social status, and economic advantages. This perception is influenced by historical colonialism, which has shaped beauty standards that prize fair skin.

What are the risks associated with cheap skin whitening products?

Cheap skin whitening products, particularly those containing mercury, pose significant health risks such as mercury poisoning, kidney failure, tremors, and birth defects. Many of these products are banned, but they continue to be smuggled into the country.

What is glutathione, and why is it controversial in skin whitening treatments?

Glutathione is an antioxidant used in some skin whitening treatments, often administered intravenously. It is controversial because it has not been approved for cosmetic use by the FDA, and its long-term safety for this purpose is still under research.

How do cultural and historical factors influence the popularity of skin whitening in the Philippines?

Centuries of foreign rule, especially by Spain and the United States, have left a legacy in the Philippines that associates fair skin with power, beauty, and higher status. This colonial influence continues to shape modern beauty standards.

What role do government and customs officials play in the availability of illegal skin whitening products?

Some customs officials in the Philippines collude with smugglers to allow illegal skin whitening products into the country, often viewing these products as harmless or beneficial to those seeking affordable beauty solutions.

How are mercury levels in skin whitening products tested, and what were the results?

Mercury levels in skin whitening products are tested using a point-and-shoot device that detects mercury concentrations. Legal limits for mercury are one part per million, but tests revealed some products containing 42,000 times the legal limit.

Who is Dr. Vicki Belo, and what role does she play in the skin whitening industry?

Dr. Vicki Belo is a celebrity dermatologist in the Philippines who has built a skin whitening empire. She offers various whitening treatments, including scrubs, lasers, dermabrasion, and intravenous glutathione drips, and is influential in shaping beauty standards in the country.

What are some common ingredients used in skin whitening products, and how do they work?

Common ingredients in skin whitening products include Vitamin C, hydroquinone, and kojic acid, which work by reducing melanin production. Mercury, a dangerous heavy metal, is also used in some cheap products for its skin-lightening effect.

How is the activist group Ecowaste Coalition working to combat the dangers of illegal skin whitening products?

The Ecowaste Coalition, led by Thony Dizon, conducts undercover investigations to purchase and test illegal skin whitening products for harmful chemicals like mercury. They work with local authorities to remove these products from the market and raise public awareness about the dangers.