YOUR HEALTH

Skin bleaching: Confusion or confidence?
B y Oluwabunmi Ogunmoyero

THE vague fight against the ignorance of skin bleaching among Nigerians has received yet another boost as Bunmi Ogunmoyero, Public Relations student of University of Westminster, UK, launches her campaign "Love the Skin You Are In" to open a new vista of knowledge into how young Nigerians can stop confusing inferiority complex for confidence.


The landmark campaign which commenced on the 1st of January this year was initiated following recent reports from World Health Organisations, WHO that showed indulgence in the immoral act to have skyrocketed among young Nigerians, especially females, between the ages of 15 and 35.
Skin bleaching; an art of systematic removal of the top layer of the skin with the help of toxic cosmetic products containing ingredients like Hydroquinone, Mercury and Steroids has been a controversial and very worrying trend among women for many years.
It involves the use of a wide range of products, applied to specific or widespread areas of the skin, the main function being to lighten normal black skin.
The reactions consequent upon these practices of skin bleaching are adverse ranging from paradoxical increase in skin pigmentation to severe systemic problems such as mercury poisoning. Reports from WHO states the main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage.
However, mercury in skin lightening products also causes skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.
Other effects include anxiety, depression or psychosis and peripheral neuropathy. In Nigeria, this practise is commonplace at all ages; both among men and women. However, studies indicate a much higher prevalence in young, unmarried and educated women and that only little has been done to check its continuous spread into the strata of our society.
Almost everywhere in Nigeria, one is confronted with a horribly bleached face, piteous hands or appalling foot. There are several factors contributing to and perpetuating this behaviour. The reason for this observation is partly because this group of young adults are more susceptible to Western concepts of beauty.
A significant proportion of individuals intentionally abuse these products due to misconceptions about the presumed superiority and desirability of fairer skin over darker ones.
This affirmation is supported by studies in which users of bleaching agents have testified explicitly, that their motivation is a personal desire or societal influence to change their skin colour. Some of these people claim that bleaching enhances their beauty and makes them sexually acceptable as they become 'Oyinbo'.
Unfortunately, their skins become multi-coloured (As suggested by Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti) – red facial skin, yellow arms, black back, knees, fingers and toes. It is a shame that such misconceptions and self-identity issues persist within our community of 'African Queens' such that instead of beauty, they get a bucket full of shame, damaged self-esteem and social rejection.
Temitayo Ojodu, a 29 year-old British-Nigerian whose skin has been severely scarred from years of bleaching shared her ordeal to support "Love the Skin You Are In" campaign. She said "I started using bleaching creams since I was 15 years.
When all my friends started calling me 'Leopard' after chicken-pox! Because they were lighter skinned, guys preferred them and 1 didn't want to be left out…." When asked how she feels in her skin now, Temitayo said: "I feel like a girl in a demon's body camouflaged by make-up."
According to Bunmi, some people may use bleaching creams initially as a genuine treatment for skin problems but ignorantly push it to the level of inadvertent abuse due to a lack of understanding of the appropriate use of these products.
She said her campaign is concerned with creating awareness of the life-threatening dangers of skin bleaching, enlightening Nigerians to be aware of the ingredients contained in their products and instigating more rigid Government policies on the ban, smuggling and easy availability of these chemical beauty products.
Since society determines and promotes acceptable forms of behaviour, fashion, style amongst others, the onus lies with parents, responsible adults, government and possibly political and religious leaders to ensure that youths are encouraged towards avenues that develop positive self-esteem and other ways that improve confidence levels.
So, while most people claim that skin bleaching is a personal decision, it is important to remind oneself that it's better to be safe than sorry.