Beauty Q&A: Are Whitening Products Safe to Use?

While we've always loved the natural tan of morenas, the beauty standards we've grown up with unfortunately have given a lot of girls the common misconception that fair skin is the way to go. That's why a lot of girls rely on whitening products to make their naturally morena skin fairer. And while it's no secret that there are certain dangers to using whitening products, these haven't stopped girls from using them. So to make sure that you're free from harm when you're gunning for fair and whiter skin, we asked dermatologist Dr. Rhoda Espino to give us the lowdown on whitening products.
Q: Are whitening products safe to use?
Dr. Rhoda: While I get the demand for whitening products—especially in the Philippines—sad to say that not all whitening products are safe because most of them have acids and chemicals that can be too harsh for the skin and can even go as far as burning the skin, which can cause skin allergies. Some whitening products can even make you more prone to skin cancer! Skin peeling is a complicated matter that is best done in the clinic and home maintenance medicine should be guided accordingly with a physician's advice and just an over the counter product that a lot of girls usually buy in the market.
Dr. Rhoda B Espino graduated from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine and received her training in dermatology in New South Wales Australia for Cosmetic and Aesthetic Medicine followed by Fellowship in Aesthetic Dermatology in the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic and Age Management Medicine and the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists. She is currently a member of the Philippine Society in Anti-Obesity, a board director of PAAMMI, and is the CEO of EliteAsia Aesthetics Center.
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