In Northern Nigeria, skin bleaching remains a common practice driven by beliefs that equate lighter skin with beauty, success, and elevated social status.
This widespread trend sees many individuals turning to skin-lightening products to meet these societal ideals. However, the use of these products comes with significant health risks and psychological effects.
According to experts, skin bleaching products often contain harmful ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury, and corticosteroids. These substances, when used over extended periods, can lead to severe health complications.
It is warned that prolonged use of bleaching creams can thin the skin, making it more susceptible to bruises, infections, and even skin cancer. The presence of mercury in many of these products poses additional risks, including kidney and liver damage.
The adverse effects of skin bleaching are not limited to physical health. Users frequently experience uneven skin tone, dark patches, and other cosmetic issues despite their initial intentions to improve appearance.
The psychological impact can be equally distressing, as individuals may develop low self-esteem and diminished self-worth due to dissatisfaction with their natural skin tone.
Experiences
A Jos-based Rukaiyyat Isa who used the artificial lightening to improve her beauty said she regretted using such products just to appear good or beautiful.
She recounts her unpleasant experience while using such products that, “my skin became uneven and developed an unpleasant odor that led to social isolation. My friends were avoiding me “.
Another Plateau State resident, Abdullahi Amir, recalled that in his quest for social mobility and relevance in the limelight, he started to bleach his skin to appear fair in complexion.
Amir recalled his experience with using skin lightening products “my attempt to achieve a celebrity look made me use it which I experienced rashes and delayed healing of wounds due to the sensitivity of my skin “.
These experiences indicate the complex interplay between cultural pressures, health risks, and psychological impacts associated with skin bleaching.
Experts caution
Dr. Okoye Ifeoma, a leading dermatologist in Nigeria, has highlighted the dangers associated with mercury-containing bleaching products. She warns of severe skin damage, organ problems, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Similarly, Dr. Abdullahi S. Idris, a specialist in dermatology based in Jos, emphasized the health hazards linked to skin thinning and organ damage, advocating for safer alternatives and more community awareness against such practices.
