People with dark skin are made to feel that they are inferior to people who are fair in color. This misconception is very common in Asia, Africa, Europe and America. It is assumed that if one has fair skin one will look better, be better accepted in society and girls will be able to find good matches. The prejudice against dark skin is nothing new in Asia, especially in India and girls who happen to be dark skinned are told when they are young that they will not have that status in life because of their skin color. In UK alone the skin lightning business is said to over 500 million pounds a year. Which means it is a huge business. As most skin lightening cosmetics either contain mercury or hydroquinone and long term use of either of these can cause skin damage, liver and kidney damage and cancer.

There are watchdog groups, associations and government departments that monitor and test skin whitening agents and also ban the usage of those skin whitening agents that they think may cause or lead to skin damage or are in anyway harmful. In spite of this there is a very big under the counter market for skin whitening products. Some people go for skin whitening to remove any birthmarks, freckles or any skin discoloration, so that the skin matches the rest of the body's skin. Some people who have vitiligo also use skin whitening to depigmentize the skin, so that the skin color is reduced to match with the skin that has lost its pigmentation.

Skin lightening cosmetics come as creams, lotions, soaps and medication. One can either apply the skin lightening product directly to the body or take it as a medication. The basic idea of a skin whitening agent is to reduce the production of melanin which is the major component in determining skin color. Hydroquinone has been used historically by Persians. Japanese geisha girls used skin whitening agents or painted their faces, hands, and necks white. In modern days Japanese geisha girls use paint and have stopped using whitening agents. It is mostly Asians who have settled in the west who go for skin whitening and form the biggest consumer base for under the counter cheap skin whitening products. One ad in India of a skin whitening product for men has come under a lot of criticism.

In America and Europe skin whitening is done medically also and this is done basically to remove any skin blemishes. This procedure is called skin peeling, but everyone cannot afford to get it done that is why the reliance on skin whitening products. Renowned cosmetic and skin care product makers make sure that they follow the guidelines as specified by government as they don’t want to face a loss of business. Extended use of any skin lightening product will make the skin more prone to skin diseases and can also lead to premature aging. So should one decide to use any skin lightening product it would be best to consult a skin specialist and not to do any experimentations on their own. Kojic acid and skin lightening is another hot topic with researchers as Kojic acid is believed not to be as harmful as mercury or hydroquinone as an agent for skin whitening.

Some people who have severe acne problem go for acne treatments skin lightening treatments so that their skin color will be uniform. Cosmetic dermatology skin lightening procedure are done by a number of dermatologists and they are the best qualified to do it. One must not get taken in by ads that say lighten your skin in days as this may not be true. Using skin lightening pills or any under the counter skin lightening product may actually prove harmful for the skin. It is best to get used to the skin that one has been born with and only if there is an ugly scar or any other mark on the skin should one go for skin lightening treatment.