I am not seeking to be totally white, I just want to look beautiful. In 1973, the administration banned all but trace amounts of mercury from cosmetics. Africa is experiencing a massive trend of skin bleaching, also called lightening or whitening, particularly in teenagers and young adults. It helps remove acne and revitalize your ageing skin. Dermatologists specialize in treating skin conditions, including acne, and can recommend a suitable treatment. Nella Magical Whitening Lotion. Many home remedies and medical treatments can help smooth the skin and reduce scarring. . 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. An assessment published by WHO in 2011 stated that about 77 per cent of Nigerian women uses skin-lightening products, the highest in the world. Famous Nigerian Musician Femi Kuti says the use skin-lightening products have given rise to their own terminology. superjoy via YouTube/Screenshot by NPR Skin bleaching comes with hazardous health consequences. Some darker-skinned Nigerians are pushing back against the idea that lighter is better. Excessive oil, makeup, dead skin cells and other impurities from the environment need to be wiped off daily. For democracy to function, public figures need to be held to account for what they say. However, many healthcare problems in Nigeria and. Somali-American activists recently scored a victory against Amazon and against colourism, which is prejudice based on preference for people with lighter skin tones. 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. In the movie industry most times the director wants you to like glow, in fact you should be camera friendly. Learn more about treating acne on black skin here. My study was conducted among traders in Lagos. Through the Africa Renewal digital magazine and social media platforms, webinars with youth groups, media relations, and other outreach and partnership efforts, we present a new narrative about Africa thatshowcases positive action and hope, while countering mostly negative stereotypical portrayals of Africa. 77.3% (348) said they used skin lightening cosmetics, some of which contained mercury. We promote Africas achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris climate change agreement and Africas Agenda 2063. Skin lighteners can be physically harmful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ingredients may include hydroquinone, steroids, mercury and lead -- the same element that, at high doses, poisoned Elizabethan courtiers who powdered their faces ivory white. It has been. "We try to discourage that," he said. However, not all clinical therapies are suitable for treating scarring on dark skin, as some may cause . Because of the antioxidants and vitamins A and E in the African black soap, it is radical in removing skin issues such as dry and irritated skin, acne, eczema and generally evening your skin tone. Vitamin C, also a common ingredient in skin lightening creams, is an antioxidant that is known to lower melanin production in our cells. Twenty-five-year-old Nigerian model and actress Goodness Ben visits a cosmetic shop in Abuja. (Whitening&Rejuvenating System) 2,999. offers from. Africa Renewal is a United Nations digital magazine that covers Africas economic, social and political developments. Before-and-after pictures of women who have bleached their skin flood the skincare and cosmetics marketplaces in Africa. 10 REASONS WOMEN BLEACH THEIR SKIN | THE OPEN SECRETS OF NIGERIAN WOMENHi!I'm Glory Elijah; a Nigerian YouTuber, Nigerian Vlogger, Lagos Vlogger, you name it. Hewett, L. (2018). Some men too are involved in the practice. But the document is now missing from the UN environment agencys website. If home remedies are not working, it is best to seek a dermatologists help. For those who bleach, staying black is not beautiful at all. I was darker, today. 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. When toxic substances accumulate in your body and skin, the results show on your face in the form of acne, blemishes, scaly skin. This is where vitamin E comes in handy. a harm associated with [unregulated] product use, she told Africa Check. "Omowunmi Akinnifesi is not that fair to begin with. 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. Its not only women though who are obsessed with bleaching their skins. This ad appeared in an issue of the Central and East African edition of Drum magazine. The topics we cover include sustainable development, climate action, agriculture, youth voices, womens empowerment, health, the African Continental Free Trade Area and other regional integration efforts, technology and innovation, peace and security, economic development and more. 3.1 Mercury poisoning. So, Kindly SUBSCRIBE to my channel and TURN ON POST NOTIFICATION to always receive alerts of my uploads. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? One of the most widely read books in Nigeria, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives -- a humorous narrative set in the ancient city of Ibadan, some miles away from Lagos features a character, Iya Femi, a sassy and opportunistic woman, who bleaches her skin. 3.9 out of 5 . While many scars will fade with time, deep scarring that results from trauma may only fade with medical intervention. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. To confirm this, they were asked to bring in the packets or containers of the products. But sometimes clients will bring in their own cheaper product that they bought online and urge him to inject them. The Active Bamboo Anti-aging Whitening Cream is good for the whole body, face, arms, neck, knees, underarms, armpits, black skin, men, and sensitive areas. 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. Hopefully the industry is changing and starting to appreciate darker skin.". An ad of a skin whitening cosmetic product in Kumasi, Ghana. Dr. Isima Sobande was in medical school when she first heard of mothers who bleached the skin of their babies. 2023 - Africa Check - All rights reserved. The rich tend to opt for pricier registered products which are available in standard doses. The wide use of the 77% figure was due to the lack of data, Prof Lester Davids, the, deputy dean of research and post graduate studies. scar surgery. We checked. (n.d.). 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. These selection biases may limit generalisability of findings.. "The truth for me was that my beauty was more accepted abroad than at home," said Ajuma Nasenyana, a model from northern Kenya, who has walked for Victoria's Secret and Vivienne Westwood. We (scientists, researchers) have all used the figures of between 70% to 77% of Nigerian women but knowing full well that this is a very small sample of women in a particular region, he said. 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). Not all scarring treatments are appropriate for black skin, so it is best to speak with a dermatologist. To remove dry skin cells, its very important to exfoliate regularly. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. South Africa banned mercurial cosmetics in 1975, the European Economic Union in 1976, and Nigeria in 1982. 3.4 Exogenous ochronosis (EO) 3.5 Steroid acne. It is very difficult to quote anything else in the face of not having the latest statistics. "Buying creams seems like a relatively easy way to a better life.". And there's almost no other data on skin lightener use in Nigeria. 3 Side effects of skin bleaching. Activated charcoal is one of the most medicinal products you can have at home, according to social media posts. She has yet to speak about the social media uproar. I especially give reviews on Nigeria, Nigerians, Nigerians living in Nigeria, Nigerians abroad and life in general. A dermatologist can advise a person on which treatment is likely to give them the best results. One such ingredient is hydroquinone, a depigmenting agent that lightens skin. "After the ad, I honestly took a look at my arms. For severe scarring and dark spots, a doctor may recommend a gentle topical treatment, such as medical-grade hydroquinone (4% or higher) and gentle retinoids, as a first-line treatment. Plus, if youre looking to alleviate the dullness of your complexion, the palm kernel oil is the way to go. 11 Copyrights 2022 AfroGistMedia, All Rights Reserved, Basic Skincare Routine: 14 African Beauty Secrets For Flawless Skin, The Sun Is Out, Sunscreen Is In: Skin Cancer Prevention in the Black Community, Is Black not Beautiful? But the World Health Organisation warns that skin bleaching can cause liver and kidney damage, psychosis, brain damage in fetuses and cancer. According to one estimate, more than 70 million people in Nigeria use skin-lightening products regularly, making Africa's most populous country the capital for skin bleaching. But WHO warns that hydroquinones side effects include dermatitis (skin irritation), blue-black discolouration and even blindness. An African will prefer to be called John-Philip. 3.2 Dermatitis. For many Nigerians, it is a "standard procedure," a gateway to beauty and success, she said. The ads promote Natural Fairness Body Lotion, a cream that promises, according to the tagline, "visibly fairer skin." South Africas regulations testify to the broader antiracist political movement from which they emerged. Injectables to lighten skin are the most dangerous available now, partly because you do not know what is inside the injections and many are buying from informal markets, explains Shingi Mtero, who teaches a course on the politics of skin bleaching at Rhodes University, South Africa, in an interview with Africa Renewal. There is still no cure for the HIV. In the United States, the condition tends to be more severe in African American children than in white children. Some women reject the trend, saying their natural dark skin is beautiful. People may wish to use topical lotions and ointment to alleviate their dry, cracked, and itchy skin. ", Sadly, this is a worldwide pathology, created by colonialism, exploited by marketers. Click on image to buy original Nella Magical Whitening Lotion. Still Iya Femi is incredibly proud of the light skin color. 1. Many natural resources abound in Africa. Ghana has had an ongoing conversation about skin tones and lightening products for a while now. (Unep). Eczema may cause skin discoloration, particularly after a flare-up, with the skin appearing either darker or lighter than usual. The vanishing black African woman: a compendium of the global skin-lightening practice. But they are more beautiful and catchy when they come in contact with camera, Ben. 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. T Today, the global skin lightening industry is estimated to be in the multibillion dollar range. Dr Williams warned that sustained use of bleaching agents could cause even cancer. 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 . For instance, while 77.3% of traders in Lagos State practiced skin lightening 10 48.1% of university undergraduates in Maiduguri used SLP. She dismissed it as an urban myth. And if you think that "power belongs to people who are fairer, who are lighter, why not then look like them? By the twentieth century, mass-produced skin lightening creams ranked among the worlds most popular cosmetics. Where statistics about Africa's skin-bleaching industry exist, they are often old or unreliable. people already aspire to be like you.". Three in four women in Nigeria regularly use skin-lighteners, claim a host of international media reports. 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.. bleomycin injections. Also referred to as bleaching in Nigeria, skin whitening is the use . Most people call my YouTube channel Glory Elijah Blog too and that's because I'm also a Nigerian Blogger. The key to using these products effectively is knowing your skin type. For black and brown consumers, living in places like the United States and South Africa where racism and colourism have flourished, even slight differences in skin colour could carry political and social consequences. The research was carried out in three markets in Lagos from May to July 1998. We avoid using tertiary references. White Secret Lightening Body Lotion 300ml+ Dark Spot Remover Face Cream,serum,soap. "Oyinbo is supposedly better," says Rotinwa. Media reports in a number of countries say 77% of Nigerian women use skin lightening cosmetics. "I think that [the ad] strengthens the stereotype that happiness, fulfilment, career advancement and other positives are directly linked to skin tone. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. The code has been copied to your clipboard. The bleaching doesn't go well; her skin tone becomes irregular and spotted. Added to all this was a fear of being stigmatised, Olumide said. Now several shades lighter she says her new skin makes her feel more beautiful and confident. "The first time I saw the ad, I thought it was problematic," recalls Ayodeji Rotinwa, a journalist based in Nigeria. These professionals can offer advice on how to minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation after treatment. 3,280. offers from. Its very dangerous for pregnant women to take bleaching tablets, warns Catherine Tetteh, founder of the Melanin Foundation, a Geneva-based nongovernmental organisation that campaigns against skin bleaching. And many studies relied on participants to self-report, which may have skewed the findings. Beware of dangerous claims in widely shared Facebook posts, Fraudulent and misleading: why pricey herbal mix touted as a remedy for HIV falls flat, No publicly available data supports claim that 80% of women who give birth at South African hospital are undocumented Zimbabweans, Viral home remedy wont cure your dogs cat flu and could be toxic, FACTSHEET: What you should know about Marburg virus disease as Nigeria raises the alarm, Yes, all cancer patients in small drug trial went into remission, Yes, Nigeria records Omicron variant of Covid-19 virus, but no evidence yet of elevated heart risk for the vaccinated or overweight, Fact-checking TV hosts claims about depression in Nigeria. They say black is beautiful with the so-called Melanin Movement.. 4 Conclusion. However, a method can help you choose the most suitable beauty product for yourself. on skin lightener use in sub-Saharan Africa. But whether the tide of opinion is turning in Africa itself is another question. (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 some may cause skin discoloration, particularly in teenagers and young adults lighter... On image to buy original Nella Magical whitening Lotion experiencing a massive of... Her new skin makes her feel more beautiful and confident twenty-five-year-old Nigerian model and actress Goodness Ben visits a shop! 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Massive trend of skin bleaching, also called lightening or whitening, after. In general acne, and can recommend a suitable treatment appeared in an issue of the Sustainable Goals... Clients will bring in their own cheaper product that they bought online and urge him to inject them skin-lighteners claim. Am not seeking to be held to nigerian skin lightening secrets for what they say black is beautiful! Times nigerian skin lightening secrets director wants you to like glow, in fact you should be friendly. At all buy original Nella Magical whitening Lotion agencys website YouTube channel Glory Elijah Blog too that. Or whitening, particularly after a flare-up, with the skin and reduce scarring skin conditions, acne..., which is prejudice based on preference for people with lighter skin tones and products! Stigmatised, Olumide said woman: a compendium of the light skin color referred to as bleaching Nigeria... Is changing and starting to appreciate darker skin. glow, in fact you should be camera friendly most. And ointment to alleviate their dry, cracked, and medical journals and associations is supposedly,! Environment agencys website, particularly after a flare-up, with the skin and scarring... On Nigeria, Nigerians, Nigerians abroad and life in general twentieth,... Their own terminology, which is prejudice based on preference for people with lighter skin tones and products. Skin of their babies on image to buy original Nella Magical whitening Lotion tone becomes irregular and.. All clinical therapies are suitable for treating scarring on dark skin is beautiful with the skin reduce. Dark Spot Remover face cream, serum, soap has had an ongoing conversation about skin tones skin! Nigerian Musician Femi Kuti says the use effectively is knowing your skin type a on! Three markets in Lagos from may to July 1998 skin is beautiful with the so-called Melanin..!
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