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Anal bleaching, or lightening, is the practice of bleaching the pigmentation of the skin of medium- to light-skinned people around the anus. Some white people have some degree of darker pigmentation of the skin immediately around the anus, which can be mistaken for poor personal hygiene. Discoloration of the anal and vaginal areas can be caused by aging, hormonal changes from pregnancy, diet, and other factors.^[1]

Bleaching is used mostly for cosmetic purposes to lighten the color of the skin around the anus, making it more uniform with the surrounding area.

[edit] Origins

Originally, anal and vaginal lightening was discovered by adult film stars, dancers, models, beauty-forward celebrities^{[clarification needed]} and others on the forefront of the waxing trend who were "exposed" and wanted to enhance the appearance of the anal, vaginal and genital areas.^{[citation needed]} However, they had to go to special salons and use harsh chemicals that could have potentially harmful side effects.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Procedure

Some treatments are applied in the office by a medical technician, while others are given as a prescription to be applied to the relevant area.

Skin bleaching cream is also available over-the-counter. Often, Hydroquinone creams are used to minimize spots that occur due to sun exposure, age, and birth control pills. For this reason they are often coupled with sunscreens. However, hydroquinone is a suspected carcinogen and banned by several countries^[2][3][4].

[edit] References

1. ^ a"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060614041350AAOUKn3"
2. ^ "http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Health/skin_bleaching/_lightening_its_dangers_37431.html". http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Health/skin_bleaching/_lightening_its_dangers_37431.html. 
3. ^ "http://www.ofspirit.com/judivance1.htm". http://www.ofspirit.com/judivance1.htm. 
4. ^ "http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol71/volume71.pdf". http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol71/volume71.pdf. 

[edit] External links

• Village Voice article: Pucker Up: Britesmile for Bungholes: Investigating the latest craze in bodily beautification: anal bleaching by Tristan Taormino, July 11, 2005
• Is anal bleaching for you? - The Jamaica Observer

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