While manufacturers of bleaching creams smile to the bank every day, the users of the creams are exposed to incurable diseases and health conditions that may drain their pockets
By Benprince Ezeh
“Say it loud, I am black and proud” has been a slogan among the black Americans for quite a long time, but then, so many people appear not be proud of their dark colour another. Hence, they are resorting to whitening their skin in pursuit of the so-called beauty, which some claim makes them stand out amongst their peers.
Indeed, crave for the skin bleaching creams is not a new thing. It appears to be commonly available in several parts of the world, which has also provided an avenue for body cream manufacturing companies to smile to the banks every day.
On Sunday, November 25 Angela Renee White a.k.a. Blac Chyna, an American entrepreneur and super star, launched a whitening cream product in Lagos. She encouraged Nigerians to use the cream to restore their skin’s natural glow, reduce the visibility and intensity of age spots. Blac Chyna said the cream will lighten appearance and discoloured skin by visibly stamping out unevenness to leave the complexion illuminated.
But an enlightening a radio programme ‘Yellow fever,’ recently cautioned against the use of bleaching/whitening cream because of the adverse effects on the users. Indeed, a lot people called in to express their views on why Nigerians should be mindful negative effects of using bleaching creams.
Interestingly, one of the callers was Esther, not her real name, who lambasted those speaking against bleaching. She said: “What you people are saying doesn’t make sense, it’s my body and also I used my money to buy the cream. It’s none of your business and you have no right to judge whoever bleaches because it’s their skin.”
Nevertheless, Olugbenga Ajala, a doctor, said chemical bleaching or any form of bleaching could lead to serious skin and health conditions. These according to him, include: permanent skin bleaching, thinning of skin, leading to a blotchy appearance, redness and intense irritation.
Ajala said bleaching is a process in which the hair on the skin is bleached to match with the actual skin tone. He regretted that skin whitening options have become very complicated these days, and there are plenty of options available in the market, leaving the customers confused. “Therefore, it is very important to find out the side effects of skin bleaching before anyone can opt for the whitening agent for their skins,” he said.
The doctor warned that further implications could increase acne, osteoporosis, neurological and kidney damage or skin cancer, due to high level of mercury used in the creams. He said it could also lead to psychiatric disorders, liver damage and severe birth defects in children born to mothers who abuse certain chemicals.
“Although, skin bleaching or whitening can be a good option for getting rid of dark spot or skin discoloration, however, the process is not free from side effects, because some of these products are rather very harmful,” Ajala said.
According to him, skin bleaching has been a disturbing widespread practice and also very controversial. He said in some parts of the world, it is believed that light and pale skinned people portray beauty, richness and success as well. “Dark complexioned people are considered below standard and so people opt for skin whitening or bleaching creams, pills and other products,” he said.
The doctor advised dark people to embrace their natural given complexion and also avoid over exposure to ultraviolet rays and adopt healthy diets that could promote healthy skin. “Healthy diet is very important in getting a healthy skin, food with nutrients such as vitamin E that contains antioxidant properties, like eggs, avocados, sunflower seeds and spinach.
“Also, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant because it also involves in the synthesis of collagen, an important protein for making the skin supple. Food sources are orange, pineapple, guava, grapefruit and strawberries; also, Selenium is a powerful antioxidant trace mineral that is responsible for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. Food sources high in selenium include: walnuts, tuna, liver, wheat germ, onion, seafood, whole grains, brown rice and poultry,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Ayopo Adeyemi, a dermatologist, said bleaching could cause skin cancer to such individuals, and that it could also expose the endothelial cells of their skins to wear and tear. She said the endothelial cells form a one-cell thick walled layer called endothelium that lines all their blood vessels such as arteries, arterioles, venules, veins and capillaries.
According to her, some other dangers associated with skin bleaching include: burning or redness; skin diseases; liver and kidney damages among others. “Bleaching of the skin is dangerous because it always has various adverse effects on the health of those doing it. We must stop using creams with dangerous chemicals and go for moisturisers instead,” she said.
Besides, Adeyemi said suturing a bleached skin after an accident is always difficult as such will continue to break down, if it could be sutured initially. She said many people are fond of applying creams that contains harmful chemicals on the body with a view to looking more beautiful and attractive.
She advised people to always maintain their natural complexion to guard against the skins being overstretched. She said when skins are overstretched they pose some health challenges to individuals indulging in such act. “You can be impairing your skin’s ability to heal fast when suffering from an injury, and it may lead to a very big infection, which will take a very long time to heal and become normal. Please, avoid it because it weakens the ability of your wound to heal, it is best to maintain your natural skin complexion,” she said.
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