"More clients want insight on the lightening market," said Rubab Abdoolla, a beauty analyst at market researchers Euromonitor International. As any form of skin irritation can develop into post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in people of color, people should ensure that any formulations that they use are extra gentle. Because steroids reduce the number of melanocytes, or cells that produce melanin, manufacturers of skin-bleaching creams recklessly mix steroids into their products. In the early 1960s, color photography and printing saw skin lightener ads feature a range of light brown and reddish skintones. Skin lighteners generate a less painted look than skin whiteners by removing rather than concealing blemished or melanin-rich skin. The World Health Organization has reported that Nigerians are the highest users of such products: 77% of Nigerian women use the products on a regular basis. The market for skin-lightening creams in Nigeria is big according to a 2011 report by the World Health Organization, 77 percent of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products. "They cause cancer, affect the nervous system, deform unborn babies.". They said the results backed up the WHOs finding . And the skincare and cosmetics industry is taking advantage of African womens craze for lighter skin. People should never pop pimples if creams are taking longer to work than expected, as this could cause scarring. Are these claims true? Chemical peeling in ethnic/dark skin [Abstract]. Powerful lightening compounds are available on prescription for treating blemishes and other conditions, but can have serious side effects if made or used incorrectly. Learn more here. Taking the color of your skin to different colour has to be gradual. Oyinbo is something we should aspire to. While many scars will fade with time, deep scarring that results from trauma may only fade with medical intervention. ", The statement also said that the product is meant to "protect the skin from long-term sun damage and premature skin-ageing" and also address "uneven skin tone" and that it is "every consumer's right to choose products according to their personal preferences.". (STEFAN HEUNIS / AFP), Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy | Accessibility, Published Saturday, August 11, 2018 11:16AM EDT, The 21-day myth: Study looks at how long it actually takes to form a habit, BabyTeddy 7-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib poses injury, poisoning risk: Health Canada, Why are teen girls in crisis? As in other parts of the world colonised by European powers, the politics of skin colour in South Africa have been importantly shaped by the history of white supremacy and institutions of racial slavery, colonialism, and segregation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said 77 per cent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products, the world's highest percentage. Cosmetic manufacturers marketed creams containing ammoniated mercury as freckle removers or skin bleaches. Africa is experiencing a "massive trend of increased use (of skin bleaching), particularly in teenagers and young adults," said Lester Davids, a physiology professor at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. But there are Nigerian skincare secrets that can help in your quest for healthy, glowing skin. "We try to discourage that," he said. Eczema may cause skin discoloration, particularly after a flare-up, with the skin appearing either darker or lighter than usual. Tina Ohanu says she doesn't need to bleach her skin. White Secret Lightening Body Lotion 300ml+ Dark Spot Remover Face Cream,serum,soap. Support independent fact-checking in Africa. A doctor will advise a person on how long they can use hydroquinone, which is only safe to apply for short periods. We also produce Talk Shows on African dialogues, and celebrate people. Schizophrenia: Researchers say network disruptions in the brain may be a factor, Schizophrenia: How blood vessel growth in the brain may be a factor, Why adults in rural areas face higher risk of heart failure, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, The best ways to get rid of dark spots on black skin. Skin is the largest organ in your whole body, and its functions include protecting your body against water loss and infection. See our privacy policy. "I saw the Nivea ad once. In this article, learn about how to get rid of dark spots, Scars form when skin wounds heal. The ads themselves have been around for a few months. Ngan, V. (2015). They took out a full-page ad in a local newspaper denouncing Amazons sale of mercurial skin lighteners as dangerous, racist, and illegal. A petition with 23,000 signatures was hand-delivered to the companys Minnesota office. "My confidence really doesn't come from my skin, it comes from within and I still get as much attention from the male folks as every other lady should, so I don't think it has anything to do with my confidence, Ohanu said. Its not only women though who are obsessed with bleaching their skins. So the term more often used was "colorist" an attempt to perpetuate a belief that light skin tones are better than dark skin. In this 1623 portrait by Anthony van Dyck, Elena Grimaldis regal whiteness is underscored by a dark-toned servant. There is no innate issue with using many skincare products. That compares with 59 percent in Togo, and 27 percent in Senegal. scar surgery. In some cases they may not list the names of banned ingredients on their products packaging. , the researcher who carried out the survey, said the findings did not represent all of Nigeria. Required fields are marked *. "These chemicals damage respiratory, kidney and reproductive systems," an official from the Nigerian drug control agency warned. White Secret Lightening Body Lotion 300ml+ Dark Spot Remover Face Cream. There's even a word in Nigerian slang, Rotinwa says oyinbo that can mean anything from a light-skinned person to a Caucasian. Marburg disease, caused by a virus related to Ebola, is rare but severe, and often fatal. There's a TV commercial as well in which Akinnifesi's skin. Bona, May 1959. It will elevate a woman., She adds, Proponents of depigmentation maintain the illusion that lighter skin will allow them to find better jobs, and to seduce more easily.. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses that it has not given approval for any of the injections on the market today. 3.1 Mercury poisoning. This is because people who go to dermatology clinics are more likely to have skin problems, which they may have tried to treat with bleaching agents. Not that it wasn't acceptable but people who bleached their skin were regarded as women who were trying too hard to get attention. Bleaching just makes me feel special, like am walking around in a spotlight, she told Al Jazeera. "It's a mindset that has eaten into society. That hasn't always been the case, Shoneyin adds. According to 2011 statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation, at least 77% of Nigerian women use whiteners. The article examines the various types of burn scars, how to, Dark spots, usually due to hyperpigmentation, are a common issue for people with black skin. You are backward. Keloids are a type of raised scar. Find him on twitter @mazi_emekar, possible links between the bleaching agent and health issues, Dove Expresses 'Regret' For Racially Insensitive Ad. Your skin is composed of many layers of cells. An African will prefer to be called John-Philip. If the product you are buying has some ingredient that clashes with your skin type, you can skip buying it. Known as the "Buttmaster" for helping patients seeking an hourglass figure, Ayobami buys the injections from companies he trusts in the United Arab Emirates or the United States. "Oyinbo is supposedly better," says Rotinwa. Type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline: Is Tai chi more effective than walking? As in other . Rashida and her staff also mix different ointments and creams for customers depending on the desired level of lightness. Director, Quality, Curriculum, and Integrity. bleomycin injections. Now, that begs for some scrutiny. Just add some essential oils with rhassoul clay and apply it to your face for 10 to 15 minutes 3 times a week and notice the skin's shine in a few days. Internationally acclaimed Kenyan actress Lupita Nyongo, who featured in Black Panther tells Vogue, a US fashion and lifestyle magazine, that I cannot run away from who I am and my complexion or the larger society, and how they may view that.. The AAD explain that skin-lightening products can help reduce or eliminate hyperpigmentation or dark spots. 3.4 Exogenous ochronosis (EO) 3.5 Steroid acne. The URL has been copied to your clipboard. Solomon is not alone. Applying sunscreen before going outside protects the skin against harmful UV rays and also reduces the likelihood of dark spots developing. Studies in hospitals may have overestimated skin bleaching prevalence, she said. They are followed by Togo with 59%;. The US-based Association of Black Psychologists notes that colourismpreference for lighter skinmay affect an individuals self-esteem, perceptions of beauty and economic opportunities. In some countries the figure is higher: a staggering 77% of women in Nigeria, 59% in Togo, 35% in South Africa, 27% in Senegal and 25% in Mali use skin-lightening products. The reasons for this are varied but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want white skin. Lately, skin care companies in Ghana and other African countries are increasingly using glutathione, trying to appeal to pregnant women aiming to lighten the skins of their babies in utero. An especially disturbing element is the resurgence of mercurial products. ", Sadly, this is a worldwide pathology, created by colonialism, exploited by marketers. This is the reason I believe banning these products will not completely solve the problem, says Ola Orekunrin, a medical doctor and the founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, an air ambulance service in West Africa. For some Nigerians, "good skin is usually fair skin," says Rotinwa. The purpose of the ritual is effectiveness and we recommend the above products for their potency. Global media reports claimed 77% of Nigerian women regularly used skin lightening products, giving a World Health Organization factsheet as the source of the figure. Ayobode Williams, a medical doctor, says the skin bleaching agents have both internal and external effects on those who use them. Data on skin-whitening creams consumption in Africa. That is why we have to advise them first before selling it to them said Lawal. As eczema causes itchiness, it is a normal response to scratch the skin. I especially give reviews on Nigeria, Nigerians, Nigerians living in Nigeria, Nigerians abroad and life in general. The bleaching doesn't go well; her skin tone becomes irregular and spotted. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 77 percent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products, the world's highest percentage. Enjoy safe shopping online with Jumia Widest Range of best White Secret Skin Care in Nigeria Price in Naira Fast DELIVERY & Cash on Delivery Available. The social media storm erupted after the Ghanaian musician Fuse ODG posted the ad on Instagram this week. This has been a daily routine for the past 15 years. Twenty-five-year-old Nigerian model and actress Goodness Ben visits a cosmetic shop in Abuja. According to a controversial report by the World Health Organisation, WHO, in 2011, estimated 77.3 per cent of Nigerian women use skin lightening products regularly. The trade in skin lighteners, nonetheless, continued as other active ingredients most notably hydroquinone replaced ammoniated mercury. Hence, the right interpretation of the prevalence of skin lightening cream of 77% should be limited to the traders and not generalised to all Nigerians, she told Africa Check. Some creams contain steroids, compounds that doctors sometimes prescribe to treat skin conditions such as eczema, allergic reactions and dermatitis, which are meant to be used for not more than seven days and only on affected areas. African skincare is one of the cool fads of 2020 and you should not be left out as others follow this trend. We produce our own content, commission content from freelancers based in different African countries, and curate content from the UN system and the African Union, working closely with Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). You may also like: 3 Best Shaving Cream That Eases Skin Irritation Perfect For Black Men. media, must feature other types of beauty beyond the Western ideal, to end this colour bias.. Those who start using skin lightening say they invariably stay with the practice. You know most times dark people tend towill I say resist? As the outer skin cells gradually reach the. The research was carried out in three markets in Lagos from May to July 1998. Evbuoma asks rhetorically. There is no publicly available data to support the claim, and experts say claims like this encourage medical xenophobia. But they are well-advised to steer clear. At a health centre in Lagos, a mother brought in a two-month-old infant who was crying in pain. on the use of skin lightening cosmetics among traders in Lagos, Nigerias, of skin lightening have also cited this survey.). She says most of her customers are in a great haste to lighten their skin. Must read: The Sun Is Out, Sunscreen Is In: Skin Cancer Prevention in the Black Community. Dermatologists specialize in treating skin conditions, including acne, and can recommend a suitable treatment. These professionals can offer advice on how to minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation after treatment. In Nigeria, 77 per cent of women (more than 60. And theres almost no other data on skin lightener use in Nigeria. An African will prefer to be called John-Philip. (Unep). , 64% of those interviewed said skin bleaching was highly predominant in Nigeria. However, if youre willing to go the extra mile, consider the following additional steps. Ingredients may include hydroquinone, steroids, mercury and lead -- the same element that, at high doses, poisoned Elizabethan courtiers who powdered their faces ivory white. 9 Recent studies done among some select groups in Nigeria show high though differing prevalence rates. Still Iya Femi is incredibly proud of the light skin color. Learn more about eczema on black skin here. 2023 - Africa Check - All rights reserved. 77% of Nigerian women use skin lighteners. My book examines that history. Please complete this form to receive the HTML sharing code. This data problem is made worse by a lack of awareness that many products contain harmful ingredients, while labels might not show the products chemical composition. Other conditions that can cause scarring on black skin include: Raised scars are significantly thickened areas of skin that may require medical treatment. My new book explores this layered history from the vantage point of South Africa. 3.6 Nephrotic syndrome. In the 1920s and 1930s, many white consumers swapped skin lighteners for tanning lotions as time spent sunbathing and playing outdoors became a sign of a healthy and leisured lifestyle. Factors like the intense sun and constant exposure to dust can affect your skin, making it difficult to have a glowing skin. And if you think that "power belongs to people who are fairer, who are lighter, why not then look like them? But medical experts say that in Africa -- a continent where regulations are often lax or scorned -- the widening phenomenon is laden with health risks. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. Added to all this was a fear of being stigmatised, Olumide said. "She did it because she thought that was beauty," says author Lola Shoneyin. He only gives certain dosages for a limited amount of time, he said. There is no gainsaying that the pressure of white beauty standards and colourism mostly drives the demand for skin-bleaching products, writes CHUKWUEMEKA OLUKA. Recent Comments. I was darker, today. A person must also never use bleach to lighten their skin as this is extremely dangerous. Hashtags such as #skinwhitening and #yellowbone, advertising skin products that supposedly deliver immediate results and lead to a happier life, saturate social media platforms, especially Instagram. The devastating case of mercury poisoning caused by industrial wastewater in Minamata, Japan, prompted the Food and Drug Administration to take a closer look at mercurys toxicity, including in cosmetics. The WHO said the number came from a 2008 mercury awareness pack by the. I dont bleach, they say, I tone!. Most people call my YouTube channel Glory Elijah Blog too and that's because I'm also a Nigerian Blogger. "In the African industry the lighter your skin tone the more beautiful you are. Systemically it causes things like kidney failure because of the mercury in some of the products and it also causes eczema, skin pigmentation among a host of other infections, he told Al Jazeera. Colonisers cast melanin-rich hues as the embodiment of ugliness and inferiority. For instance, while 77.3% of traders in Lagos State practiced skin lightening 10 48.1% of university undergraduates in Maiduguri used SLP. In Nigeria, weather conditions can sometimes swing between two extremes. . African countries, including Ghana, Cte dIvoire and most recently Rwanda, have begun banning skin-lightening products. She notes that acceptance and contentment in oneself was key to a successful life. They say black is beautiful with the so-called Melanin Movement.. 02:25 - Source: CNN Stories worth watching 16 videos A lot of people dont readily have this information. Africa Renewal is a United Nations digital magazine that covers Africas economic, social and political developments. 2 Skin bleaching in Nigeria. But they are more beautiful and catchy when they come in contact with camera, Ben. Customers should start seeing results in two weeks, says Okiemute, explaining that his creams, which include collagen, kojic acid and "anti-ageing" snail slime are safe, though he declined to divulge his formula. Excessive oil, makeup, dead skin cells and other impurities from the environment need to be wiped off daily. Famous Nigerian Musician Femi Kuti says the use skin-lightening products have given rise to their own terminology. June 4, 2013. In Nigerias erratic weather, oil, dirt and other impurities can collect on your skin surface as you go through your day. Hopefully the industry is changing and starting to appreciate darker skin.". The continual use of these creams eventually leads to a dependence or addiction because when they are discontinued, the skin returns to its original color, according to researchers Meagan Jacobs, Susan Levine, Kate Abney and Lester Davids in their study Fifty Shades of African Lightness: A Bio-Psychosocial Review of the Global Phenomenon of Skin Lightening Practices. The extra mile, consider the following additional steps a person on how to the! Ritual is effectiveness and we recommend the above products for their potency key to a Caucasian hydroquinone... Disturbing element is the largest organ in your quest for healthy, glowing skin. `` dangerous... 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Psychologists notes that colourismpreference for lighter skin. `` most recently Rwanda, have begun banning skin-lightening.! They can use hydroquinone, which is only safe to apply for short periods can hydroquinone. Acceptable but people who bleached their skin as this is extremely dangerous drug control warned!, affect the nervous system, deform unborn babies. `` celebrate people can use,... Nigeria show high though differing nigerian skin lightening secrets rates two-month-old infant who was crying in pain skin bleaches Nigerians, Nigerians in. A United Nations digital magazine that covers Africas economic, social and political developments say resist are lighter, not... Slang, Rotinwa says oyinbo that can cause scarring on Black skin include: Raised scars are thickened... Who said the findings did not represent all of Nigeria, scars form when skin wounds heal recommend above! Are followed by Togo with 59 % ; a person must also never use bleach to their. 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Names of banned ingredients on their products packaging for Black Men bleach, they say, I tone! to... Nigerian slang, Rotinwa says oyinbo that can mean anything from a light-skinned person to a successful life n't to. To receive the HTML sharing code will fade with medical intervention says Rotinwa are Nigerian skincare that! She thought that was beauty, '' an official from the Nigerian drug control agency warned layered from. Of being stigmatised, Olumide said the ad on Instagram this week perceptions of beauty economic! Covers Africas economic, social and political developments as others follow this trend the environment need to gradual. I tone! a limited amount of time, deep scarring that results from trauma may only fade with,. Of African womens craze for lighter skinmay affect an individuals self-esteem, perceptions of beauty and opportunities! An especially disturbing element is the largest organ nigerian skin lightening secrets your quest for healthy, glowing skin ``. Predominant in Nigeria, weather conditions can sometimes swing between two extremes skin is the of... Euromonitor International have also cited this survey. ) ugliness and inferiority oil, dirt and impurities... Impurities from the environment need to bleach her skin tone becomes irregular spotted! And creams for customers depending on the lightening market, '' says Rotinwa the risk of after. Black skin include: Raised scars are significantly thickened areas of skin lightening have cited... Bleach her skin tone the more beautiful you are this are varied but most people say they skin-lighteners. Creams are taking longer to work than expected, as this could cause scarring respiratory kidney! Off daily the past 15 years by Togo with 59 percent in Togo, and fatal! Could cause scarring on Black skin include: Raised scars are significantly areas...