The obsession with skin-lightening products in African societies is increasingly taking a toll on the lives and livelihood of its people. Though both genders partake in skin alteration, most skin-lightening consumers are female. Many black women believe lighter skin signifies beauty, higher status, and superiority. This silent epidemic has been associated with serious health-related outcomes amongst users, especially those who subject their bodies to products formulated without proper safety precautions regarding the chemicals used in their production.
The obsession with skin-lightening products in African societies is increasingly taking a toll on the lives and livelihood of its people. Though both genders partake in skin alteration, most skin-lightening consumers are female. Many black women believe lighter skin signifies beauty, higher status, and superiority. This silent epidemic has been associated with serious health-related outcomes amongst users, especially those who subject their bodies to products formulated without proper safety precautions regarding the chemicals used in their production.
The use of skin lightening products has also been reported to be responsible for skin cancers, skin discoloration, and depression among users leading to negative outcomes. It is also for this reason that the importation of skin-lightening products has been banned in a number of African countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, etc.
It has, however, done very little to deter its users. According to a report by the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, 75% of Nigerian women patronize skin-lightening products. In Nigeria, many celebrities and brand influencers publicly endorse the use of these products. Dermatologists in Nigeria have highlighted the issue of skin lightening to the Nigerian government for years, but they are yet to make any legislation regarding it.
By the data, Senegalese women were recorded the second highest usage of skin-lightening products, with over 60% of them patronizing products. 50% of Malian women and 30% of Ghanaian women were also recorded as patronizing skin-lightening products.
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