Documentary: 77% Of Nigerian Women Bleach Their Skin (Video)

It is no longer news that a lot of Nigerians are obsessed with the colour of their skin. A lot of women (and even men too) want to look “yellow” and as a result have turned to bleaching in order to look fairer. I remember a dark friend of mine telling me that she never liked hanging out with “yellow girls” as she always felt less beautiful in their midst. Whatever happened to black is beautiful?

Bleaching or skin whitening involves the use of cosmetics to whiten or lighten the skin tone. The World Health Organisation (“WHO”) estimates that 77% of Nigerian women use bleaching products – this is the highest in the world. This statistic is alarming because bleaching or skin lightening is a very dangerous practice.  The chemical substances used in bleaching are harmful as they include such strong formulations as hydroquinone, Arbutin, Kojic acid and Azelaic acid. These compounds prevent the formation of melanin and reduce its concentration in the skin. If you are unfamiliar with melanin, it is the skin pigment that protects your skin from the damaging effects of sunlight. It is the skin pigment that ensures that human beings are adapted to the tropical environment of Africa. Melanin is found in the skin of every black African for a reason so why is there such a desire to get this pigment out of the skin? One could understand a desire to develop a more even skin tone. However, many women go above and beyond this in order to get a lighter skin.

Skin bleaching has become endemic in Nigeria. There are a lot of women who feel that using bleaching creams of is the shortest road to being beautiful. Apparently, some women believe that being fairer makes them more beautiful and successful and therefore more likely to find a husband.  Even our celebrities are not left out, although you would hope that they use more expensive and sophisticated products. The truth is irrespective of price tag, bleaching/skin lightening products are extremely hazardous. WHO has listed the dangers associated with skin bleaching as cancer of the bloods (such as leukemia), skin, liver and kidneys as well as serious skin conditions. These conditions will not manifest immediately but in the long term, skin bleaching could really put your life in danger.
 
Some bleaching creams are euphemistically branded as toning creams due to the negative perceptions of bleaching, but a study of the ingredients by a team of researchers at a Bayero University, Kano showed that the ingredients are equally as dangerous and can cause mutations in bacteria.

There is also the psychological problem that comes with attempting to change the colour of one’s skin.  If you are not satisfied with the skin God has blessed you with, you are bound to start feeling inferior like my friend mentioned at the start of the article. If you start believing that you need a lighter skin to be successful in life, then you are doing yourself a huge disservice. Like former South African President Nelson Mandela once said “whoever is not proud of his colour is not fit to live”.

Ladies, please let us be content and proud with the skin colour God has blessed us with. Indeed, black is beautiful.

Video:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=iBv_MZ0pvWI" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=iBv_MZ0pvWI</a>

Posted: at 22-08-2013 04:53 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Okay
na dem life jorr

Posted: at 22-08-2013 05:18 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

ni true talk        

Posted: at 22-08-2013 05:27 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero

dem go gree listen?

Posted: at 22-08-2013 05:45 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

old post

Posted: at 22-08-2013 05:54 PM (10 years ago) | Hero

nor be naijapals dey always dey call people´´ beautiful light skinned babe and handsome light skinned actor´``why u dey complain for wetin u dey promote?

Posted: at 22-08-2013 06:22 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

Kk#

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Posted: at 22-08-2013 07:30 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Most black people, have unconciously inculcated the belief of the western world thst 'white is right.' Then we see our men looking for fair skinned black woman to have as girlfriends and as a wife - this feeds into the belief system of the darker skinned (whose self esteem is probably low anyway) that to be 'noticed' and 'adored' - they have to 'white!'

I have lost count of the number of Nigerian girls who i have come across looking like zebra's! You will see 'white faces' but darker necks, elbows, knees and only God knows what colour they are under their clothing.

The funny thing is that the girls who do this to attract 'attention' in the end get the opposite reaction - and frighten men away.

The black skin is beautiful with some eesterners craving to have skin that does not appear to be effected by the elements.

The mefia has a role to play in Nigeria in seeing to it that darker skinned girls are positively portrayed on TV. For example in adverts and music shows it is common to see fair skinned girls being used to sell products and act as backing dancers to.musicians.

Althoug i sm not a fan of beauty contests (degrading to women) they are now picking dark skinned girls as winmers. This is a step in the right direction.

And to the men who use fair skinned ladies as 'tropyhy wifes' i say stop it snd marry for love.

Posted: at 22-08-2013 07:36 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

terrible

Posted: at 22-08-2013 08:28 PM (10 years ago) | Hero

naija women sha.

Posted: at 22-08-2013 08:49 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac