While some women (and some men) think that bleaching or skin lightening will boost their self-esteem and make them more attractive, they are often harming their skin and body, especially when the creams are purchased over the counter without medical consultation.Dr Francoise Gahongaire, a dermatologist at King Faisal Hospital, said women have a choice to bleach if they like although she hastened to add that women should be confident with their natural skin."Most women buy creams over the counter that aren’t necessarily medically approved or even have chemicals that could permanently damage their skin. If you want to bleach, it’s better to first consult with a dermatologist instead of just walking into a cosmetic shop and buying any cream,” she said.Dr Gahongaire says while many women contact doctors after suffering the side effects of creams, few seek medical advice first.