But before you change colour like a chameleon, take a look at the pros and cons of bleaching.

Fair in 15!
Bleaching creams lighten facial hair in 15 minutes and even remove suntan. Most women believe that bleaching helps them look better and increases self confidence.

Pros

• Skin looks lighter in 15 minutes.
• Lifts suntan.
• Lightens hair and makes your face look brighter.
• Gets rid of dead skin cells.

Cons

• If left on for more than 10 minutes, bleach could inhibit the production of melanin and alter natural skin structure.
• Skin irritation and redness.
• Skin can burn if too much activator powder is mixed with the cream.
• Bleach works like acid and burns skin if it is too strong.
• Hydroquinone, which is an essential ingredient in bleaching creams, inhibits melanin production.

Safe Bleaching
Indian skin has high melanin content. You have to consider your skin colour and structure before bleaching it. Bleaching only adds aesthetic value and does not nourish the skin in any way.

If you want to bleach your skin then these are a few steps you can follow:

• Choose a mild cream by checking for the ingredients on the box. Pay attention to the Hydroquinone content in your bleach.
• The amount of Hydroquinone - the main ingredient in bleaching creams - should be no higher than 2%. Any cream that has a higher percentage could have negative effects on your skin.
• In case of sensitive skin seven to eight minutes of bleach is sufficient.
• No bleach, no matter how mild, should be left on for more than 10 minutes.
• If you are a regular user, bleach your skin every three weeks and no sooner.