The Science Behind Celebrities Turning White Overnight: Skin Whitening Explained
Many celebrities have much lighter skin now compared to a few years ago. For example, stars like Kajol, Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty, Deepika Padukone, and Bipasha Basu have all become fairer. This change is often very noticeable and can happen very quickly.
But when regular people try these treatments, they often experience serious side effects. For instance, a model named Gauri Khan tried an expensive skin whitening treatment at Shilpa Shetty’s beauty spa. Instead of getting fairer skin, her skin started peeling, developed wrinkles, and got big dark spots. Many other girls have faced problems like redness, itching, rashes, swelling, and even more serious issues. In 2020, one girl even died from a heart attack caused by a skin whitening treatment.
So, why do celebrities seem to get lighter skin so easily while regular people face dangerous side effects? And why is fair skin so highly valued?
Understanding Skin Color
All humans originally came from Africa and moved to different parts of the world. Our skin color varies greatly because of a few reasons. For example, people living near the equator usually have darker skin, while those living further away have lighter skin. This is because our skin contains cells called melanocytes, which produce two types of pigments: eumelanin (dark brown to black) and pheomelanin (yellow to reddish-brown). The ratio of these pigments determines our skin color.
Why We Have Different Skin Colors
Our ancestors in Africa lost their fur as they adapted to running in open grasslands. Without fur, they needed protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which led to the evolution of eumelanin. Eumelanin acts as a natural sunscreen, blocking UV rays and preventing diseases like skin cancer. As humans moved away from the equator, they needed less UV protection and more vitamin D, leading to the evolution of lighter skin through pheomelanin.
The Fitzpatrick Scale
The Fitzpatrick Scale is used to categorize skin color, ranging from Type 1 (very pale) to Type 6 (very dark). This scale considers the amount of eumelanin and pheomelanin in the skin. People with more pheomelanin tend to be fairer and more prone to sunburn, while those with more eumelanin are darker and tan more easily.
The Role of Genetics
Indians, for example, have a wide range of skin tones due to their genetic background, which includes a mix of Caucasian and Australoid ancestry. This genetic diversity results in various shades of brown. Moving to a different climate or avoiding the sun can lighten the skin slightly, but it won’t change the genetically predetermined skin color significantly.
How Celebrities Lighten Their Skin
To lighten their skin, celebrities use various treatments that interfere with melanin production. Here are some common methods:
Glutathione Injections: This antioxidant reduces eumelanin production and increases pheomelanin production, leading to lighter skin. It’s often combined with other antioxidants like Vitamin E.
Mercury Salts and Kojic Acid: These block copper ions needed for the enzyme tyrosinase, which is essential for eumelanin production.
Retinoids: These drugs block the gene expression of tyrosinase, further reducing eumelanin production.
Hydroquinone and Azelaic Acid: These chemicals are cytotoxic, meaning they kill melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin.
Laser Treatments: These destroy melanin pigments directly, leading to a lighter skin tone.
The Costs and Risks of Skin Whitening Treatments
These treatments are expensive. Laser treatments can cost between 4,000 to 40,000 rupees per session, and multiple sessions are needed. Glutathione injections are also costly, with a single injection costing around 40,000 rupees. These treatments are often not permanent, requiring continuous follow-ups.
The side effects can be severe. Laser treatments can cause scarring and infections. Glutathione injections can lead to heart rhythm problems, and hydroquinone can cause ochronosis (yellowish-brown spots) and even cancer. Mercury salts are toxic, and Kojic acid can cause dermatitis.
Conclusion
While celebrities seem to get lighter skin easily, the treatments they use are often expensive and carry significant risks. It’s important to understand the science behind skin color and the potential dangers of attempting to change it.
