The trend of skin bleaching in the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica is growing feverishly. Two years ago, popular Dancehall artist Vybz Cartel sent Black Twitter into overdrive, when he announced that he was bleaching his skin.
Now another top artist – Dancehall artist I-waata has unveiled his new bleached look. For those who are not familiar with St. Andrew dancehall artiste I-Waata, he’s one of the most popular new artists on the Dancehall scene.
This is what he used to look like:
And this is what he look like now:
Skin bleaching is now so popular that on a global level skin lightening products now represent half the cosmetic industry, according to a recent news report from NPR. Worldwide, the market for skin lighteners last year was estimated at $8.6 billion and is projected to hit $12.3 billion in the next six years.
Unregulated skin bleaching treatments often contain dangerously high concentrations of hydroquinone and topical steroids. Applied together, these two compounds halt melanin production in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. In concentrated doses over time, these preparations can actually cause permanent discoloration of the skin, typically gray, blue and purple spotting. This is a side effect of the mercury found in most skin bleaching products. Mercury is also a known carcinogen.
Although the research is inconclusive, scientists are beginning to believe that hydroquinone and mercury react with ultraviolet rays and this only triggers more pigmentation – as well as premature skin aging.
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