Though bleaching was practiced in ancient and medieval times in Asia, Egypt, Europe and China, it has gained real momentum only recently.
You will find several top celebs, singer, actors look much darker in their earlier photos than what they look today.
In fact, many of them are getting fairer by the day! Such is the desire for fair and blemish-free skin! So do not blame yourself if bleaching is what you secretly desire.
Cause of Bleaching: The main reason is you want to look well-groomed and attractive in your personal and professional life.
Competition has increased many fold and you want to appear distinct with bright, spotless skin complexion.
The second reason is you want to hide your spots and discolored skin caused due to sudden trauma.
Often younger people are bullied to do bleaching by their groups.
Side effect of Skin Bleaching: Ms Kathleen Robinson, a US Fulbright Research student conducted a survey and the topic of her presentation was "Skin bleaching in Accra: A Growing Epidemic".
The survey, conducted on people of Accra, found hydroquinone, the most common bleaching agent, harmful even if presented in as low concentration as 2%,.
While most bleaching creams sold in Ghana had 4%-6% concentration of hydroquinone! She found thinning and weakening of skin, striae, irritant dermatitis, discoloration as some of the medical problems related to regular skin bleaching.
Hydroquinone caused leukemia in mice.
Top 10 Essentials of Skin Bleaching:

• Before applying skin bleaching, test it on a very small area on your skin which is not broken.
  If the test area becomes red and swelled, gives you itching within 24 hours, immediately consult with your dermatologist or physician.
  
• Read the labels and instructions properly before applying the cream.
  
• Do not use bleaching cream on the areas surrounding the eyes or in the eyes, inside your nose or mouth because they are highly sensitive.
  
• In case the cream enters into the most sensitive areas of your skin like within the eyes or inside your mouth, flush it with plenty of water and immediately consult your physician or dermatologist, if any problem continues.
  
• While applying bleaching, limit it only on dark spots.
  In case you lack well defined area or your freckles are widespread, it is better to use a light skin brightener.
  
• Do not apply bleach on area of the skin that has cuts, burns, moles etc so as to avoid pain or skin irritation.
  
• Do not do bleaching on the area of the skin that is normal.
  Continued applying of bleach will change your regular skin tone and make it lighter.
  
• Once you get the desired result, immediately stop bleaching if you do not want to end up with lighter skin tone that will look uneven with areas having regular skin tone!
• After bleaching, protect the area that you have bleached with a good sun-block cream of SPF 30.
  Otherwise, the areas which you want to appear lighter will become darkened again, if left unguarded, once exposed to sunlight.
  
• Do not expect a miracle on your first application.
  If you have areas that are much darker than your normal skin tone, you may have to bleach that area more often than once, till you get the desired tone.
  

Use your own judgment and take proper care while doing bleaching.
Above all, do not hesitate to consult with your dermatologist or physician in case you have any problem.