Penis whitening ‘fashion’ in Thailand can leave burns, scars, spotted or even darker genitals, experts warn
Earlier this month, a Bangkok clinic said 100 men a month were making use of the service just six months after it started offering it
Plastic surgeons raised red flags this week about a penis whitening fad in skin colour-fixated Thailand, dismissing the procedure as a phallic “fashion” with uncertain benefits and many risks.
Requiring the use of lasers, acid, or chemicals, the latest craze in genital beautification can leave men with burns, scars, taut skin, or the exact opposite of what they were after in the first place – a darker penis or a spotted one, the experts warned.
“I think it should not be done in a patient that doesn’t need it,” said Milanese plastic surgeon Massimiliano Brambilla, who specialises in genital procedures.
“Most of the substances that are used to whiten … are quite aggressive. Whitening is one of those things that I am very careful of.”
Earlier this month, a Bangkok clinic said 100 men a month were making use of its penis whitening service just six months after it started offering the procedure.
The clinic charged about US$650 for five laser sessions.