That was nicely said, Mireka.
It is true about some of the risks involved in bleaching the skin. There are products out there containing mercury & god knows what else. Unscrupulous vendors sell all sorts of garbage preying off of the desperation of some people. This is partly why forums such as this one are vital. Many of us carefully research(not just read ads!) for diverse 'active ingredients' and post about ways to minmize & mitigate risk factors. Using a product carefully is not the same as abusing the same product.
Leila, you said: "I can understand these reasons, but I don´t understand how people can use products that they know have dangerous side effects, the colour of your skin surely isn´t worth it."
Actually, in many parts of the world the consequences, esp for young women, of being considered dark & therefore unnattractive & unmarriagable can be far worse that the risks of bleaching. In the west, fortunately, a dark-skinned woman can become educated, autonomous, marry & have a family & succeed. That being said, as someone who began lightening in Jan, I can unequivocally confirm that people treat you differently. Not every person, not every time (of course) but had I known this was the case, I'd've done this a decade ago.
I am not looking to snag a successful husband: I HAVE one. I am not seeking to become a pop singer or a model. I really just thought lighter skin would better flatter my features- & it does! I didn't expect or want anything else.
I had a great upbringing with loving parents, both college educated, a nice big house, no history of abuse, neglect or addiction. I've been blessed & fortunate. I do not suffer from self esteem issues. Typically, people guess my age at 25 (I'm over 40). I am slim & fit & my life is good. The myth that people who desire to lighten their skin hate themselves is just wrong.
As far as risks go, crossing the street is many times riskier than using lightening creams. So is driving a car. As for the dreaded horrors of HQ use, in the entire history of its use in the USA, there have been only 30 confirmed cases of severe HQ damage. More people will win the lotto in any given week than that.
Where whiteness carries privilege, those who have it will seek to exclude those who do not & make it hard to obtain to maintain their exclusivity. This is why it is easier to get ahold of a military assault rifle (in an inner city) than to get ahold of a high potency effective skin lightener.
Lighter skin can be life changing. Those who have successfully lightened all say it did so for them. I was skeptical until it began happening in my own life.
