History

In Japan, geishas were (and still are) known for their painted white skin, which represents beauty, grace, and high social status.

In Iran, during the Achaemenid dynasty, farmers and civil workers used some kind of lightening lotion to keep their skin white and soft.

Today, skin whitening products are available in the form of creams, pills, soaps or lotions. The mechanism of permanent whitening is usually by the breakdown of melanin by enzymes, such as that contained in the droppings of the Japanese bush warbler or reducing agents such as Hydroquinone. Most whitening creams also contain a UV block to prevent sun damage to the skin