A black YouTube star says he ‘looks better’ after years of changing his skin tone with mostly natural remedies.
Fraink White, of Las Vegas, Nevada, became obsessed with skin lightening as a child. As an adult, Fraink, now 28, further researched the practice because he wanted to get rid of hyper-pigmentation.
As he did so, he noticed there was a strong taboo surrounding the practice, and resolved to break it.
Transformation: YouTube star Fraink White, of Las Vegas, Nevada, says he ‘looks better’ after years of changing his skin tone with mostly natural remedies
Project: As Fraink researched skin lightening methods, he noticed there was a strong taboo surrounding the practice, and resolved to break it
To that end, Fraink has been documented his skin lightening routine on social media and on YouTube, where he now has more than 19,700 followers.
With his videos, Fraink was aiming both to change people’s approach to skin lightening and to demonstrate safe practices for those who want to change their skin tone.
‘I was like, “Okay, well, this would be a good way for me to stick out on YouTube because people are going to talk about it because of the controversy and when they do, they will come to my channel,’ Fraink told Barcroft TV.
‘They’ll learn that there is not a taboo behind it and that there’s also a safe way to go about it.’
Fraink has since created his own line of products, which he describes as containing natural ingredients such as papaya, licorice root, carrot, turmeric, and kojic acid, a substance produced by several species of fungi.
Throwback: Fraink (pictured as a boy), now 28, became interested in skin lightening during his childhood and further researched it because he wanted to get rid of hyper-pigmentation
Business: The YouTuber has since created his own line of products, which he describes as containing natural ingredients such as papaya, licorice root, carrot, turmeric
Warning: In one of his videos, Fraink (whose hand is pictured before and after using skin lightening products) tells his viewers to stop using products if they don’t tolerate them
In one of his videos, Fraink can also be heard advocating the use of mild hydrogen peroxide in addition to the products.
Hydrogen peroxide is sold at various concentrations, and has different uses and varying degrees of safety.
The version Fraink showed in his video is sold as a first-aid antiseptic, so it is one of the milder types.
Even so, the YouTuber told his subscribers to always pay attention to how their skin reacts to the products they use and to stop if they’re obviously not tolerating them.
‘If anything makes you feel uncomfortable, stop doing it,’ he said.
‘A lot of times I get emails from people, they’re like “Hi, I’ve been using a certain soap and my face is burning red every single day and I have spots all over. Is this working?” And I’m like, “Oh my God, stop!” ‘
Couple: Fraink’s husband, Elijah (left), has supported him with his skin-lightening venture and said he has witnessed a lot of people turning to the practice in his own community
Motives: Fraink acknowledges that some people probably turn to skin lightening looking for an ‘outlet’, but is convinced most enjoy it purely for cosmetic reasons
Outlook: ‘What’s the difference between being mocha-coffee color or cinnamon? It doesn’t matter,’ Fraink said. ‘I look better with the shade that I am. That’s just me’
Fraink’s husband, Elijah, has supported him with his skin-lightening venture and said he has witnessed a lot of people turning to the practice in his own community.
‘I didn’t think it was a big deal at all,’ Elijah said. ‘I’m from the Middle East and a lot of people lighten to just brighten their face.
‘But people bring race into it. I guess for obvious reasons, because of history. But viewpoints can change.’
Fraink acknowledges that some people probably turn to skin lightening looking for an ‘outlet’, but is convinced most enjoy it purely for cosmetic reasons.
‘I mean, what’s the difference between being mocha-coffee color or cinnamon? It doesn’t matter,’ he said. ‘I look better with the shade that I am. That’s just me.’