There are good reasons, though, why people may want to use a product to lighten their skin tone. Here are some of them:

•To reduce age spots or brown spots
•To reduce blemishes caused by acne or other skin disorders
•To reduce freckles
•To give an even skin tone
•To reduce dark patches on skin
•To brighten the overall complexion by lightening sun damaged skin.
•Reduce scar marks
•Reduce birthmarks
When choosing a skin lightener read the ingredients carefully. Look out for harmful substances like mercury and other harmful bleaching agents. In January 2005 the New York City Health Department issued a warning against the use of “skin lightening” creams containing mercury or similar products which do not list ingredients. Many countries use mercury in high levels in skin lightening products because it can make the skin become fair quickly, but mercury has serious side effects on other parts of the body. Mercury is poisonous and can severely damage the brain, nervous system and kidneys. While soaps and creams that have mercury added to them are prohibited for sale in the United States, these products are often imported illegally in the United States.