Why People Risk Their Lives To Bleach Their Skin | Shady | Refinery29

On this episode of Shady, our host, Lexy Lebsack travels to the Philippines to uncover the toxic reality of skin bleaching. This cultural trend is practicing world wide even with deadly side effects. Watch this week's Shady to understand the truth about skin bleaching!

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Shady is the side of the beauty world you haven't seen. Hosted by Refinery29 Senior Beauty Editor, Lexy Lebsack, the series swivels between the unexpected and uplifting, dives deep into the dark underbelly of beauty, gives a voice to those trampled by this quickly growing industry, and questions what it’s all worth. From counterfeit makeup to skin trafficking for cosmetic procedures, we go there.

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  • @TalkAsSoftAsChalk says:

    “The grass is always greener on the other side”. While people in Asia are risking their lives for getting lighter skin, those in the West are tanning themselves to the point of skin cancer.

    • @saritarodriguez8253 says:

      Maliha Intikhab LOUDERRRR❗️❗️❗️

    • @criscuevas1225 says:

      Just think of the saying, “we always want what we do not have.”

    • @halloweenallyearround4889 says:

      That hate and pain are the results of colonialism, white supremacy, pseudoscientific racism, genocides, eugenics, mass rape, concentration camps, war crimes, slavery, caste systems and methodic dehumanization. Nothing else. There is no inherent discomfort with personal looks amongst humans nor amongst other animals. Racism, hate and self hatred are poisonous seeds whose unrooting will take centuries, if not millenia, (if we have enough time left on the planet as a specie). Just as misogyny, ableism and other social schizophrenias and terrors. HATE SHOULD NEVER BE NORMAL. Violence and traumas are inherited when people don’t try and break the cycle. Just as it happens with domestic violence, and transcidal and femicidal terrorism. When we see it as natural and shrug we assume our defeat and self-destruction, wheather we benefit from hate or are recipients of it and scapegoats. When we naturalize abuse, inequality and cruelty we support crimes and evil, wasting the time we have as individuals and as generations. Sanity, equality and compassion start with the decolonization of our own mindsets.

      Ese odio y ese dolor son resultados del colonialismo, la supremacía blanca, el racismo pseudocientífico, genocidios, eugenesia, violaciones masivas, campos de exterminio, crímenes de guerra, esclavitud, castismo y deshumanización metódicas. Nada más que eso. El auto odio étnico, por tono de piel y por cualidades físicas no es una característica inherente ni en nuestra especie ni en otras. El odio y el auto odio racistas son semillas venenosas que nos tomará siglos si no milenios arrancar (sólo si tenemos suficiente tiempo en el planeta como especie). Paralelo a la misoginia, el capacitismo y otras esquizofrenias sociales y terrorismos. EL ODIO NUNCA DEBE VOLVERSE NORMA NI COSA DE TODOS LOS DÍAS. Las violencias y los traumas se heredan hasta que alguien rompe el ciclo, como ocurre con la violencia intrafamiliar y los terrorismos feminicidas y transcidas. Cuando vemos al odio como algo “natural” y encogemos los hombros, es cuando asumimos nuestra derrota y nuestra auto destrucción, sea que nos beneficiemos del odio o seamos recipientes de este y chivos expiatorios. Cuando naturalizamos abusos, inequidades y crueldades es cuando defendemos crímenes y maldad, desperdiciando el tiempo que tenemos como individues y como generaciones. La cordura, la equidad y la compasión empiezan por la descolonización de nuestras mentalidades.

    • @MinttMeringue says:

      You cant say the west though. In Africa, for example, in many parts this is just as much of a problem. As for Europe and North America, these are some of the few places tanning is a thing. Which is also stupid. Luckily, it’s usually looked down upon and mocked by most. Some celebrities are still praised for it though:/

    • @ajlim6120 says:

      And people in the west make fun of those who are tanned skin 🤦🏻‍♀️ smh

  • @TalkAsSoftAsChalk says:

    If your cosmetologist’s face can’t even move, it’s indication you should run.

  • @D0V3-S4M4 says:

    Honestly, I just want clear skin not lighter skin 😭

  • @flicksss09 says:

    Sooooooooo nobody’s gonna talk about that lady who lightened her sons skin??

    • @ayloshmono says:

      I don’t think she whitened his skin but maybe she was breastfeeding him so her condition transferred to the kid as well? I just don’t want to think otherwise.

    • @rumblefish9 says:

      Refilwe Tsalaile That’s not what happened. I’m Filipino and I saw this on the news. The woman tried the cream. She held her son for just a few minutes and that was enough to get the stuff on him. She and her son were diagnosed with a type of dermatitis.

    • @flicksss09 says:

      @@rumblefish9 ooh OK. Thank you for telling me☺

    • @flicksss09 says:

      @@ayloshmono OK thank you for telling me☺

    • @GoldenBoyDims says:

      @@rumblefish9 that’s still fucked up wtf

  • @rust44 says:

    “Pretty but dark” that woman is so light skinned though.

    • @MsTienna says:

      40 lashes i think she lightened her skin but back then she hadn’t yet

    • @halimahmufidah8265 says:

      you’re not living in asia

    • @CherieDeDieu says:

      She was explaining why she bleached.

    • @FrizzleLamb says:

      She meant before. I was also always told that I was pretty but dark. It urged me to start whitening my skin, which shouldn’t be a positive result — we dark-skinned people (and fair-skinned too) need to be loved in order to love ourselves so that we won’t have to change who we are.

    • @andinarizkia says:

      In asia that would be considered dark. The word dark is highly subjective too😊

  • @vickyg6182 says:

    Curly hair: wants straight hair
    Straight hair: wants curly hair
    Light skin: wants tanner skin
    Brown skin: wants lighter skin
    Thin: wants to get curves
    Curvy: wants to be slimmer

    Suffice to say, I think the issue is that self-acceptance is a battle we all undertake

    • @tazhienunurbusinezz1703 says:

      Well of course. How would the beauty industry operate & continue to be worth something over 1/2 a trillion dollars globally if they didn’t convince everyone they needed these things to be accepted? Almost everything people are shown every day is to try get them to part with their money & make sure it gets to a corporation.

      Bad breath wasn’t a thing people ever worried about until Listerine convinced people they had halitosis & that people wouldn’t like them if they didn’t take care of it. With what? …why, Listerine, of course. It’s been like that with almost every insecurity people now have. People weren’t insecure until they were convinced they should be & they were only convinced because someone wanted to sell them a cure for that insecurity.

    • @luisphilipdioneda206 says:

      South korea Japan China they already have pale skin the women there want to look whiter

    • @ryanzhang701 says:

      @@luisphilipdioneda206 To you, but to themselves they are not, it’s all about subjective feelings towards themselves.

    • @flabbergastedbear2074 says:

      I understand totally, i carry a strong pale skin gene, I’m very white, I always want to tan up but I burn in the sun, my lack of melanin makes it hard to be in the sun..I always want tanner skin

    • @khaijajohnson2521 says:

      I love everything about me and would never want to change my look. It makes me sad that people thing that they have to.

  • @bryan1687 says:

    “Who taught you to hate the colour of your own skin?”- Malcolm x

  • @daynademontagnac4694 says:

    I hate how she referred to darker skin as something that needs to be treated.

    • @sunflowerlovesbees says:

      It’s disgusting sis, like it’s some type of disease .. It’s tiring

    • @s._3560 says:

      People in Asian and non-Western countries have to stop accepting white western models to advertise the products in their countries. Stop applying these harmful Western beauty standards in your country! Promote your own local people whose color is most similar to majority of the population as models. That is way, people will learn to love and be proud of their own ethnic identity!

    • @seomi872 says:

      I really apologize for them. I’m Asian and the sad part is that if you have light stin you’re automatically attractive but yes, I still am disgusted.

    • @naomigates30 says:

      I said the same thing! Like my melanin doesn’t need treatment, but that mercury overdose will….LOL

    • @shannie3295 says:

      Tbh that’s how the mindset of ppl here in philippines

  • @eurovision50 says:

    The luckiest people are those who don’t care about how they look.

  • @isabelleaguilar3331 says:

    dark skin is beautiful, pale skin is beautiful, tan skin is beautiful we just live in a judgmental world

    • @jimmyfallon2484 says:

      People are inherently judgmental. That is what has allowed our species to survive in such harsh conditions. But in this new world we should become aware of our judgement and then work to judge the things that truly need to be judged

    • @mpazinambao2938 says:

      Preach

    • @muhammadridho7680 says:

      @@jimmyfallon2484 but let’s face it, the one who judge other people it’s not the real problem, but the one who think they’re being judges is the one who has a problem

    • @lordaimelord7848 says:

      Who’s judging? People who want fairer skin simply find themselves more beautiful in fairer complexion…not the fear of being judged.

    • @deadpool99999 says:

      What about My skin?

  • @maskpedestrian3135 says:

    literally in Asia, being seen as poor and low-class by ur neighbors and be neglected by your society on a daily basis because ur skin is dark is an unfair feeling, it’s not about the racism or any xenophobia, it’s literally classism and colorism

  • @IkaDiary says:

    Growing up my extension nickname was “Negra” due to my Morena/brown skin. It definitely took a toll of my confidence and I was having hard time during my teen-age years. Couldn’t be grateful that as I get older I learn to love myself ,my skin colour , and my uniqueness. ❤️

    • @ScoobySnacksYum says:

      Brown skin is beautiful. There are many successful brown skinned women of many races/ethnicities. Screw the haters. Focus on what makes you happy.

    • @augustuslunasol10thapostle says:

      Im fairly certain that nickname is a term of endearment but im not really sure

  • @gumii5051 says:

    As a Filipina woman, I thank you so much Thony for your work. You deserve the recognition and amazing dedication to help the Filipinos.

    • @Bennahr_Fett says:

      Help them with what

    • @PraiseTheLordyourGodJesus says:

      😢Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‭-‬18‬ ‭Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. The bible is no old book. You have to really let Christ open your eyes; to see the world in shambles. Many people say it’s a religion to lock up people in chains, and say it’s a rule book.. why? Because people hate hearing the truth, it hurts their flesh, it’s hurts their pride, it’s exposes on what things have they done..people love this world so much, s*x, money, power, women, supercars.. things of this world. Still trying to find something that can fill that emptiness in your heart. You can’t find that in this world.. only in Christ, the bible is no chains, it’s a chainbreaker. Breaking your sins into pieces… Repent now, and turn back to the true Lord only.. God bless.😢

    • @Nick-dx2pt says:

      ​@@Bennahr_Fettdid you not watch the video???

  • @AzulaIsTheBest says:

    I live in the Netherlands and my ancestry is Pakistani. One of the biggest issues about Pakistani people even here in the west is that they’re obsessed with having white skin. Some people are not able to get married if they’ve dark skin and some guys who have naturally tanned skin prefer having a wife who has fair skin. I absolutely hate it when someone uses “you’re gori chitti”(you’re as beautiful as a white girl) as a compliment.

    • @user-ye6ft4ly7r says:

      Damn that’s some weird words for compliment, we also praise fair skin in east asia, but I don’t think its a compliment to call someone looking like a white person. In fact in China alot of times it could be an insult.

    • @saikatsaha4122 says:

      Whole South Asia is wasted land

    • @apriljohnson1067 says:

      Yes, White girls have always been considered the most beautiful. There was a study done years ago cross culturally that asked thousands to pick out the most beautiful features and when they averaged up, they made a blond White woman

    • @kyrak.4143 says:

      ​@@apriljohnson1067what about males? What kind of male is th most beautiful?

    • @apriljohnson1067 says:

      @@kyrak.4143 Didn’t see any studies on that. 😂

  • @natalietran1997 says:

    Beauty fades but dumb is forever.

    • @sisandangwadla4223 says:

      Amen😘🍃

    • @kuhtoo9654 says:

      For real we eventually all get old and wrinkly one day no matter what😂

    • @defaultworkouts says:

      dumb isn’t forever. people wise up. beauty can last well into old age (physical beauty). look at tom cruise and so many leading men. yes women age like spoiled milk of course but still, some have been able to keep up like Jennifer Lopez. so you are entirely wrong Natalie

    • @employeeattheffc9874 says:

      Calling people dumb for people feeling pressured to conform to beauty standards in order to be perceived in a more favorable light 🤔

    • @alittlebean.1284 says:

      Okay so, a lot of countries the standard is to be as light as possible, obviously they had a valid reason, they weren’t just following trends the culture in many Asian countries has been the way for centuries

  • @sophiaangeladizon3730 says:

    We need people like these two, because us Filipino love to bargain when we cannot purchase the best, and this is what happens to a lot of us because we are so desperate to look classy. We need to accept what we are and who we are, nobody is ugly, we are all unique in our own way, and I hope we all learn that lesson, so nobody will get hurt!!!

  • @rosie6 says:

    I am love my skin colour, but I now realize my skin color is a huge privilege, yet I see girls whiter than me paying thousands to get tanned every month. Everyone wants what they can’t have!!! But y’all are beautiful. Black skin is angelic, brown skin is angelic, yellow skin is angelic and white skin is too.

    • @leeseung-hyunlove7446 says:

      BS. White women want to have “tanned white skin” They never want to have “dark skin of black/brown people” these are totally different two things.

    • @himanshu3103 says:

      Facts

    • @lola-to9om says:

      white skin isn’t even good it doesn’t protect from the sun if you are exposed to the sun a lot you can develop skin cancer but darker skin protects from an of things you can even disappear in the darkness 💀💀

      anyway my point is we look like this because of our evolution every skin color has its importance

    • @ahand82 says:

      Hii superb its all truth ya alright👍🏻👍🏻❣️👌🏻

    • @fuckonoff127 says:

      AMEN.

  • @saroshlevine1989 says:

    “but why do people take these risks at all”

    why because our society is messed up and thinks people are ugly with darker skin so people dont feel pretty and bleach their skin thats why…

    • @steviedub9370 says:

      In Asian culture , a Asian woman worship white people the women worship white men they have statues of white men they wouldn’t look at a black man there’s some Asian women that are different but in general that’s how they are raised white skin is superior 🤷🏼 , What ya gonna do? That’s there beliefs

    • @defaultworkouts says:

      it has always been that way. dark skin is associated with low class/caste/slaves in Egypt

    • @lizmacleod8903 says:

      I think a lot of it is pressure from cosmetic and drug companies

    • @user-jq1ll3hm8x says:

      The “problem” isn’t what society thinks, as “society” is just a collection of individuals who are entitled to their own opinions and u don’t get to say otherwise.

      The real problem is the people who try to confirm with any standard. Those who don’t like themselves. Make up your own mind and stop blaming others.

    • @ChakaKhanian says:

      It’s really interesting how people are so dumbfounded when they hear of someone lightening their skin/desiring light skin, only for that same dumbfounded person to treat those with darker skin harsher and those with lighter skin gentler.

  • @islandseth says:

    This doctor looks disfigured herself… scary

  • @refinery29 says:

    WATCH NEXT: We Transform Human Remains Into Soil For a Living – https://youtu.be/hYTIh2cXfvM

    • @PraiseTheLordyourGodJesus says:

      😢Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‭-‬18‬ ‭Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. The bible is no old book. You have to really let Christ open your eyes; to see the world in shambles. Many people say it’s a religion to lock up people in chains, and say it’s a rule book.. why? Because people hate hearing the truth, it hurts their flesh, it’s hurts their pride, it’s exposes on what things have they done..people love this world so much, s*x, money, power, women, supercars.. things of this world. Still trying to find something that can fill that emptiness in your heart. You can’t find that in this world.. only in Christ, the bible is no chains, it’s a chainbreaker. Breaking your sins into pieces… Repent now, and turn back to the true Lord only.. God bless.😢

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