When it comes to covering facial hair, many opt for skin bleaching. While bleaching can certainly lighten your facial hair, there are certain dos and don’ts you should keep in mind before you bleach your skin. Whether you get it done at a salon or do it on your own at home, make sure you remember these points.
Dos
Use a mild bleach cream
Not all bleaching creams are safe for use. Many contain the compound sodium hypochlorite which can cause a chemical reaction on your skin and lead to breakouts. According to skin specialist Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, ‘Using a mild bleach cream once a month is safe for the skin but if you buy a bleach which is strong, restrict it to once in two months.’
Do a patch test
Do not skip the patch test as you may be allergic to the bleach you use. Some bleach can also leave permanent spots on your skin. Before using the product, do a patch test on your elbows and see if your skin reacts to the product.
Read the instructions
Before applying the bleach read the instructions first. Make sure that you do not add a lot of bleach with the hope that your skin will become fairer. Check the quantity of the bleach you mix as too much of it can cause adverse reactions.
Dont’s
Avoid bleaching on dry or sensitive skin
Avoid bleaching if you have sensitive, dry or pigmentation on your skin. Bleaching can also lead to dermatitis if your skin is sensitive or if you are allergic to bleach says well-known dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad.
Don’t bleach too often
Don’t bleach too sparingly. You should not go for it more than once in a month. You may think that bleach can lighten the hair on your skin and camouflage it but it cannot make your skin fairer. The bleach makes your hair colour match your skin tone and make the hair unnoticeable.
Do not go out to the sun after bleaching
Do not over-do it and expose your skin to the sun after bleaching at least for an hour or two. Even if you do, ensure that you apply ample sunscreen before you step out. Also, ensure that you do not use any other skin product after bleaching your skin. Here’s how you can choose the best sunscreen.
