Male enhancement isn’t just about maximizing the functionality of your penis, but also the aesthetics of it. Like other parts of our body, men want their dicks to look as pleasing as possible.
Enter a new (and dangerous) fad — penis whitening.
Currently popular in Thailand, we’ve had a few posts about it, in the recent year, on our forums. So, it won’t surprise me when this trend starts affecting men around the globe. However, as noted above, this cosmetic procedure can actually be quite dangerous.
Thailand’s public health ministry has issued a warning over a new and bizarre trend of penis whitening, which has been linked to the country’s association of paleness with success. Skin whitening is popular across south east Asia, as darker skin is associated with outdoor, manual labor and being poorer, with a wide range of bleaching products on the market.
In Thailand the phallic fad has unexpectedly extended to men who believe a paler penis and groin area looks more attractive. But health officials have urged people to rethink undergoing the procedure, which can lead to scarring, inflammation, infection, and “nasty looking spots.”
“Penis laser whitening is not necessary, wastes money and may give more negative effects than positive ones,” the health ministry’s Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn said in a statement.
The warning was issued after video footage of a clinic carrying out the unusual procedure went viral online. Laser bleaching of private areas is carried out by using a type of laser which damages or kills the cells that produce melanin – the pigment that gives skin its color.
“Patients started to ask about penis whitening, and so we started the treatment a month later,” said Popol Tansakul, the marketing manager of Lelux Hospital. “They are popular among gay men and transvestites who take good care of their private parts. They want to look good in all areas.”
Around 100 men visit Lelux Hospital each month for the procesure, Mr Popol added.
“I wanted to feel more confident in my swimming briefs,” one patient who had his penis whitened told the BBC’s Thai service. Of course, I wonder how having a whiter penis affects feeling confident in your swim trunks…. I mean, unless your swimsuit is see through. Hmmm…
On top of being dangerous, skin bleaching is controversial in Thailand for being linked to racism, with one cosmetics firm withdrawing an advert which linked success with fairer skin.
“In my world there is tough competition. If I don’t take care of myself, everything I have built, the whiteness I have invested in, could be gone,” Thai actress Cris Horwang said in the advert.
Her skin then turns black and another, paler woman walks into view of the camera, at which point the actress says: “If I were white, I would win.”
Seoul Secret withdrew the advert quickly and issued an apology, saying they only wished to promote self-improvement of “personality, appearance, skills, and professionalism.”
From my point of view – leave the color of your penis alone! This cosmetic procedure definitely isn’t worth the risk.