Hype: Peculiar Whitening Procedures
Just last week, an article about penile whitening went viral on social media.
Subsequently, I have received countless messages from friends, with questions ranging from "Is this true?" to "Do you offer it at your clinic?". Of course, I have also been conveniently tagged by my cheeky friends who have shared that article on Facebook.
Credit: iStock image
Penile whitening is something peculiar that I have heard and yet, I am not at all surprised. Somehow, there is an intrinsic value placed on fair-skinned persons (or parts of the body), the opinion of which I categorically disagree. The procedure of penile whitening is currently not mainstream - it is certainly a niche procedure requested mostly by the LGBTQ community.
What really is penile whitening and how is it done?
Penile whitening with Q-switched laser (Credits: Lelux Hospital/AFP Photo)
Penile whitening is done with the Q-switched laser that targets melanins, the natural skin pigment that is responsible for its darkening. This is the same laser used that is ubiquitously used in laser toning for facial skin rejuvenation and for lightening of pigmentations on the skin.
Melanins absorb the laser energy, heat up and break down over several treatment sessions. So, the treated skin lightens gradually. Whitening, as such, is a misnomer.
The expectation of an evenly, homogenous whitened phallus may not necessarily be achieved. There is a risk of over-treatment where hypo-pigmented (white spots) may appear, bringing the image of a spotted dick to mind.
As with Q-switched laser treatments, the sensation of rubber band snapping several hundred to thousand times on one of the most sensitive organ of the body is unthinkable. Some may like it, many may not.
The procedure is prohibitively expensive now because it is a niche procedure. Perhaps, the "handling fee" is simultaneously high.
Alternatives: Less painful and possibly cheaper
Obviously, there are and have been options of lightening the skin and specific body parts. The following are some of them:
1. Bleaching Creams
Credit: iStock image
Prior to the realisation that lasers can be used for lightening of the skin, Hydroquinone-based or non-Hydroquinone-based bleaching creams were used. The result is much more gradual than lasers and there are issues of skin irritation and some minor inconvenience when applied to the genitals (use your imagination).
These creams are prescription-only, particularly Hydroquinone-based creams.
Non-Hydroquinone-based formulations are less potent but may be preferred as they tend to be more user-friendly and more cost-effective as compared to the more expensive Hydroquinone-based creams.
2. Skin brightening supplements
Source: Google
Intake of supplements with naturally occurring colourless carotenoids (CLCs) is a viable, side-effect-free option. When taken orally, CLCs tend to concentrate into the skin to exact their protective effects.
Colourless carotenoids consist of phytoene and phytofluene - both of which are scientifically proven to:
Protect the skin from UV and photo-oxidative damages;
Inhibit melanin synthesis to prevent or minimise the formation of dark, pigmentation (such as freckles, darkened armpits), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (eg dark acne scars);
Prevent damage from free-radicals (from cigarette smoking, UV-damage, etc) with its anti-oxidant properties
Prevent any tendencies for inflamed skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
There are several brands of CLC supplements in the market, such as Crystal Tomato (Gromark), Esthewhite (BeautéScience), Lucent (Lioné Labs), etc.
Source: Lionè Laboratories Co. Ltd.
I personally prefer Lucent as it features the TP0908 CLCs that are more concentrated - 10mg/g in the formulation of 400mg PhytoflORAL tablets. The presence of other synergistic anti-oxidants such as L-Cysteine, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) and Co-enzyme Q10 potentiate its skin brightening effects.
3. Intravenous Infusion of Anti-Oxidants
Credit: iStock image
This treatment is popular in countries that allow them to be performed e.g. South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand etc. In Singapore, this particular option of treatment is disallowed by the Ministry of Health.
A standalone intravenous infusion of Gluthathione or a triple combination of Gluthathione, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Thioctic Acid (alpha-lipoic acid) are the most commonly offered. Some claim that visible skin brightening is seen, as well as lightening of darkened areas eg. nipple, armpits and genitals.
4. Others
Home remedies with fruit acids may be possible but its concentration is not assured and thus may cause chemical burns.
Source: Google
The use of medical-grade chemical peels with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) such as glycolic acid, for example, is possible. However, it has the potential for skin irritation in the genital areas or over-treatment in the hands of untrained individuals.
Perhaps with this article, I hope I have shed some light into areas where the sun did not shine. Comment or write to me if you have any questions or wish to fact-correct or fact-check.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely my own. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.