Just the other day, we came across the video below showing British-Cameroonian model, Irene Major, justify her reason for bleaching.
While we are not here to judge, it’s hard to believe that in 2016, someone like her who has been socially exposed and is well aware of the risks involved still isn’t proud of her skin. Although listening to this lady, one can conclude that the issue is a lot more psychological than physical but then we can’t help but question why someone like her can’t embrace the Black is beautiful phenomenon or the Lupita N’yongo effect.
Skin Bleaching has been plaguing not just Africa but people in Southern America and believe it or not Asia. A recent study by the University of Cape Town suggests that one out of three women in South Africa bleaches her skin.
A 2011 report by World Health Organization showed the following data of women using skin bleaching creams. Nigeria unfortunately leads the pack. The data also shows Skin lightening products are manufactured and sold in many countries that include the European Union the United States of America (USA), China, the Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and of course all over the Internet.
| Continent |
Country |
% of women who use bleaching cream |
| AFRICA | Nigeria | 77% |
| Togo | 59% | |
| South Africa | 35% | |
| Senegal | 27% | |
| Mali | 25% | |
| ASIA | China | 40% |
| India | 61% |
This report by World Health Organization also indicated the following health risks of using Skin Bleaching creams most of which contain Mercury:
- Kidney damage,
- skin rashes,
- skin discoloration and
- skin scarring, a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.
- Anxiety,
- depression or
- psychosis and
- peripheral neuropathy.
Even with all the health risks above, we’re sure most people still won’t break the habit and honestly, we understand because this is an addiction but we’re hoping the following images captured by German photographer Anne Ackermann in Uganda will have people thinking about the risks involved while exercising caution and judgement when deciding to bleach their skin.
Seems most of those that use bleaching creams in Nigeria forgets that the weather here is not ‘skin bleaching friendly’ because the heat from the sun alone is enough to bleach the skin. I think more awareness needs to be created about the health hazards of skin bleaching most especially in the rural areas because most educated people that uses bleaching creams find a way of ‘somehow maintaining’ it than the less educated ones.
wow!
I think dencia should be tagged in this