Skin lighting otherwise modernly referred to as skin toning continues to increase and seems to remain a major health hazard in some parts of Africa with Nigeria appearing to be on the top. Skin lighting is characterized with the use of skin lighting products (Egbi & Kasia, 2021). This skin lighting product disrupt the melanin. Melanin, a pigment in most organism, is the primary determinant of human skin color, most abundant in black population hence giving the black colored skin. (it is also found in hair and specific eye tissues). Melanin is classified into two types: red or golden pheomelanin and brown or black eumelanin. People with darker skin have more eumelanin than those with lighter skin.
Skin lightening creams (also known as skin bleaching, whitening, toning, brightness, or fading creams) contain corticosteroids, hydroquinone, mercury salts, and a variety of other ingredients that work by decreasing melanin to achieve a lighter skin tone (enhancing bleaching or toning of the skin) (Gupta, 2020). Some of this chemicals for bleaching involves or comes in the form of the use of tropical ointments, gels, soaps, creams, and home chemicals to reduce pigmentation or brighten (bleach) the skin’s complexion. Bleaching products like automotive battery acid, bleach, laundry detergent, and toothpaste that are frequently sold as skin lighteners, skin whiteners, and skin toners are used by people who want lighter skin for fashion or appearance enhancement (Asumah, et al., 2022).
The motivation for using these products is rarely to treat pigmentary disorders like melasma, but rather for cosmetic purposes and or enhancing supposed beauty (Egbi & Kasia, 2021). Although the phenomenon of skin bleaching is carried out by both females(women) and men, the findings of (Asumah, et al., 2022) reveals that majority of users especially among females claim to have been using it for the following reasons; Enhance beauty and healthy skin (especially as portrayed by celebrities), Boost self-esteem, Get better jobs and Shows higher social class. The majority of modern skin-bleaching lotions contain substances that prevent the body from producing melanin, a substance that darkens skin. Hydroquinone, a depigmenting agent that lightens skin, is one such component (Rao, 2019).
Skin lightening products have been linked to a variety of cutaneous adverse effects, including atrophy, striae, acne vulgaris (pimples), allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, steroid rosacea, hirsutism, infection, and skin cancer. In Ghana, reported occurrence of skin toning among female university students was 40.9% (Egbi & Kasia, 2021).
Some African women and men have bleached their skin in the belief that lighter skin is more attractive than darker skin.
The publication of the works of (Agyemang-Duah, et al., 2019) reveals that, in Togo about 58.9% of women used skin toning cosmetic products and that 30.9% used products containing mercury. Moreover, it has been reported that 25% of women in Bamako, Mali and 52% to 67% in Dakar, Senegal use skin toning products.
Overall, in Africans found to have a prevalence of 27.7% according to a recent meta-analysis of lifetime worldwide pooled data on SLP use. Nigeria has the largest proportion of women who use skin lightening products worldwide. 77% of Nigerian women, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), use face lightening or skin bleaching/toning products. This statistics is in consistent with the work of (Asumah, et al., 2022) indicating that the use of skin whitening products varies in percentages. Their findings pointed out that, Nigeria has the highest rate of bleaching product utilization in Africa with 77% of women bleaching their skin. Despite the fact that skin bleaching is typically associated with women, some studies have shown that males also use it (Asumah, et al., 2022).
The skin bleaching menace has so much increased among the population of Nigerians such that Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the director general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has proclaimed a national emergency regarding skin bleaching in the nation as reported by one of its national news portal-The Guardian (Ahmad Muhammad, 2023). This report was further confirmed by Al Jazeera’s (Adow, 2013) where one of the toning or skin lighting product vendor says in Nigeira, Lagos says “About 90 percent of their clients come asking for skin whitening products,”. Others female user interviewed in Nigeria indicated that ‘‘simply put, bleaching makes me feel special and puts me in the limelight’’ (Adow, 2013).
Although, some creams contain steroids, which medical professionals sporadically advise as a treatment for skin conditions like eczema, allergic responses, and dermatitis. I must acknowledge to advise that, the utmost number of days that steroids should be applied to the body’s trouble spots is seven (7), this is for medical use only and not as a means for continuous usage. Long-term abuse of steroid creams can lead to stretch marks, common bruising, and skin thinning or weakening (Rao, 2019). Skin bleaching and skin lightening procedures are among the most popular and harmful body alteration procedures, according to medical professionals as indicated by (Jacobs, Levine, Abney, & Davids, 2016). Considering the economic factor(s), the skin lighting or skin bleaching among the black communities is valued at $12.3 billion by 2027 (Asumah, et al., 2022) and 61% of the skincare industry in India is made up of skin lighteners (Agyemang-Duah, et al., 2019).
To warn, the looming danger of skin bleaching on it users includes; Skin cancer, Wrinkled skins in old age, Easy cuts, and Multicolored skin as reveal by the works of (Asumah, et al., 2022). The menace of bleaching or skin toning is further exacerbated by brand influencers and celebrities on social media especially, and various forms of adverts.
It’s worth realizing that black colored skin is beautiful and healthier. UVR, which is frequently exposed to by human skin and is thought to be the primary component in the development of skin cancer, affects the survival and function of many different cell types, in that sense melanin defense against UV radiation (Brenner & Hearing, 2008). Melanin shields your topmost skin (epidermis) from damaging rays like UVA, UVB, UVC, and blue light by absorbing them. Melanin also provides safety from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reasons being, the cell activities in your body produce reactive oxygen species as byproducts. ROS can cause tension, premature aging, and health issues like diabetes and cancer when they build up in your cells. Melanin reduces free radicals and scavenges ROS, increasing antioxidants (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
Other researches has also found that melanin aid in immune system support and the reduction of inflammation in your body (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
Author:
Dr. P. Edem Nukunu,
Nukunu is currently a Medical Practitioner and Psychotherapist. He is also a member of the Medical Journalists’ Association – Ghana and the World Federation of Science Journalists. Reach out for him via correspondent email: penukunu@st.ug.edu.gh /penukunu@medhealth.info
(n.d.).
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Ahmad Muhammad, K. (2023, February 10). NAFDAC declares emergency on skin bleaching. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://guardian.ng/news/nafdac-declares-emergency-on-skin-bleaching/
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Cleveland Clinic. (2022, March 29). Body System and Organs – Melanin. Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22615-melanin#:~:text=Melanin%20protects%20your%20skin%20by,of%20your%20body’s%20cell%20processes.
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