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Photograph copyright David Turnley/CORBIS An African woman uses a bleaching cream she hopes will lighten her skin tone. Paler hue is still equated with greater beauty in some cultures. Skin bleaching is big business, despite the fact that lighteners contain toxic chemicals that have been linked to weakened immune systems, organ failure, and even death.      More From National Geographic • National Geographic TV Special: Skin • National Geographic: Unmasking Skin (feature) • Photography Home Page     Online Store Find photography products in our online store.

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