Skin lightening

White or fair skin has been considered a desirable physical attribute throughout history in many societies and cultures. In 17th century England, Queen Elizabeth 1st made porcelain white skin fashionable, and women of the era would (unknowingly) use toxic compounds such as mercury to replicate her look. Japanese Geisha girls, considered a symbol of female beauty, are made up to have completely white faces. In Asian cultures, fair skin is associated with higher socioeconomic status as it implies that person can afford to remain indoors while the poorer classes would have to toil outdoors and hence get darker complexions. These prejudices still exist…