Systemic skin whitening/lightening agents: what is the evidence?

The human skin color is one of the most perceptible phenotypic variations among humans and is determined primarily by the type and amount of melanin synthesized within melanosomes and the pattern of melanosome distribution within the melanocytes. Getting a lighter skin tone always draws a lot of interest, as for centuries, fair or light skin color has been a symbol of prominence, superiority and higher social ranking. In India, attitudes towards skin color have developed over more than 2000 years and reflect considerations of class and caste. Women especially Asian women are obsessed with fair skin and they would go to the ends of the earth to lighten their skin color as in most cases their marriage prospects or career opportunities are dominated by the hue of their skin. Hence, skin whitening products are a half a billion dollar industry today capitalizing on the insecurity of these individuals and currently, skin lightening is one of the most common forms of potentially harmful body modification practices in the world.