I loved this read -- I would love to be part of ur Earth Empire!
On the area of "depig" I think people are under the false impression that term implies total vitiligo stripping of color like with mono. Actually if one googles "depigmenting agents" it's clear the dermatological profession uses that term to refer to all skin lightening items even the mild ones like licorice, bearberry, collectively:
Skin Lightening and Depigmenting Agents: eMedicine Dermatology
To me, anyone impying that AMHD having a Skin Lightening category under Health & Wellness sheds a dim light on darker skins just doesn't see the light.
I wondered why there's no comparable cat for tanning since its pretty obvious that more Americans and Europeans TAN than LIGHTEN; the reason must be tanning is the cancerous option and just as well, tanning whether intentional or inadvertent chronic actinic damage, often results in the desire to lighten up darkened area whether they be small dark solar lentiges on the face, neck, chest, hand etc, or large darkened areas on the face, neck, chest, hands, etc :)
Well it remains a fact, millions more people are tanning than "lightening" yet no one tells/asks those tanners (paraphrasing) "Why can't you just love the skin you're in?"
I do agree with the reminder but not with the casting of judgment implied with that tone when used in context of an answer to a question about the nature skin lightening products, nor the lack of reciprocity with tanning, esp when one considers most skin lightening endeavors are to some extent a wellness response following somewhat repentant excess sun exposure in one's youth.
Since you mentioned Fair & Flawless prices, yes the starter kit is $180 yes perhaps harsh skin lightening critics are are onto something - since skin lightening is highly elective, like most any non-surgical cosmetic mod, these companies likely see the opportunity to prey on desperation and so especially the overpriced ones are more bold-faced about being most concerned with lightening up our wallets.
