While skin bleaching – a procedure that entails using cosmetic products to lighten the skin has been around for some time, the recent ranking of Nigerian women as the highest users of skin bleaching creams in Africa in a study undertaken by Cable News Network has highlighted it is a widespread issue in the country despite the warning by experts that those engaging in bleaching are at risk of viral infections, kidney disease and other issues. However, some users of bleaching creams are lamenting the damage it has done to their skin and expressing regrets for using lightening creams. Angela Onwuzoo reports:
If you had seen my face before, you would have been angry at me for engaging in skin bleaching”, says Mrs. Gold Alfred, a 33-year-old woman, who is making frantic efforts to repair her face from severe burns left on it by bleaching creams.
Gold, who began bleaching her skin in August 2014, describes the practice as an exercise in futility as she wishes her face could go back to its original state.
The soft-spoken Abia State indigene, says she is full of regret for getting involved in skin bleaching even when God had already given her beautiful light skin.
The fashion designer said bleaching her skin was a big mistake in her life that has become nearly impossible to correct.
According to her, every effort to remove the burns on her face, in particular, has proved abortive despite applying different creams recommended to her including local concoctions.
The burns, she narrated, are gradually stealing her joy and self-esteem as she no longer feels comfortable going to parties and other social gatherings as a result of her looks and the way people often look at her.
Sharing her experience with PUNCH Healthwise, the woman said she had suffered a lot of stigma from neighbours and her customers as a result of the burns on her face.
“It all started in August 2014. I will not forget that year in a hurry. Actually, I have light skin. But I wanted to step up my colour and become fairer.
“So, I approached a friend who asked me to buy a particular brand of bleaching cream that was white in colour and then mix it with fresh aloe vera and use.
“Three weeks after I began applying the cream, I started experiencing itching on my face. So, I stopped using it and then went and bought another bleaching cream. One week later, the new cream worsened the situation as my face turned red because the itching became more severe.
“While I was battling to find a solution to the reddish looks, my face became dark two weeks after as a result of the severe burns.
“Initially, when my face began itching in the first week I started using the bleaching cream that I mixed with fresh aloe vera, I thought the itching was a sign that the cream was working.”
The troubled woman told our correspondent that she never knew that that choice would leave an indelible mark on her face.
Skin bleaching products contain harmful ingredients -Physicians
Physicians say most skin bleaching products contain harmful ingredients like mercury and frequently applying these products to the body can mean exposing oneself to these harmful elements which increase the severity of the harm which can be caused by the products.
They noted that skin bleaching reduces melanin (a pigment that produces colour in human skin).
A Consultant Dermatologist and Venereologist at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Dr. Sebastine Oiwoh, told PUNCH HealthWise in an exclusive interview that the damaging effects of using skin-lightening products were many, adding that the practice of skin-lightening should be discouraged.
The dermatologist said skin-lightening products were capable of wiping off the organisms that serve as soldiers to the skin, thereby leaving it unprotected and exposing it to infections.
Dr. Oiwoh noted that burns to the face caused by bleaching creams might be difficult to reverse.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, overusing skin-bleaching products can cause irreversible skin damage, and the skin might not return to its original condition even after bleaching has stopped.
Not aware bleaching creams will cause irreversible damage to my skin
Continuing, Gold said, “I was only bleaching my face because other parts of my body are fairer than it. Unfortunately, the cream left severe burns on my face within two months that I was introduced to it and eight years later, the burns have refused to go away.
“I have spent a huge amount of money to get rid of them and to have my face back to its normal state, all to no avail. I have applied different facial creams recommended to me by friends, patent medicine dealers, relatives, and neighbours, yet the burns are still there.
“I have also applied so many concoctions such as palm oil, engine oil, honey, garlic, pawpaw leaves, mosquito coil dust, water from washed rice, the list is endless. Despite all these applications, the burns are still there. I never knew bleaching creams could cause such irreversible damage to my skin.”
Skin bleaching affecting my marriage, tailoring business
Lamenting the stigma that she faces as a result of the burns, the tailor recounted, “A lot of people make passing comments about me because of my face.
“And sometimes, it causes me big embarrassment and discomfort because of the way they react when they suddenly look at my face. I am just 33 but the burns have made me look as if I am 44.
“For me, there is no gain in the use of bleaching creams and I will not advise anyone to use them. Funny enough, they are more expensive than other creams.”
“Sometimes, I use a shawl to cover my face when I am going out to avoid people passing derogatory comments on me. I don’t like using pancake makeup because it makes me look ugly because of the degree of the burns.”
Gold also told PUNCH HealthWise that her husband was unhappy with the way her face looks, lamenting that her face is becoming a problem in her marriage.
She said, “Even my husband is seriously complaining about my face.
“I am still in search of a solution and whatever it will cost me to get my face back to its normal state, I will do it.
“Some people say the bleaching cream left burns on my face as a result of the texture of my skin. That doesn’t matter to me anymore. What I want to hear now is something that I will use that will bring a permanent solution to it.”
Asked if she had sought help from dermatologists – skin specialists, the tailor responded, “I haven’t approached any of them and I don’t think they will be able to solve my problem with all that I have applied on my face so far.”
A mother of four, Mrs. Bola Abidoye is another woman who is into the practice of skin bleaching and is currently unhappy with the impact on her skin, especially her face, fingers, toes, and elbows.
Bola, 47, who was dark-complexioned before engaging in skin-lightening at the age of 17 said she joined the practice because her friends were doing it.
Bitter about the outcome 30 years later, the Ogun State indigene said she was particularly worried about the way people look at her in public, including her children.
Also referred to as bleaching in Nigeria, skin whitening is the use of cosmetic products or services to reduce the amount of melanin in the skin to make it appear lighter.
75 per cent of Nigerian women using bleaching creams -study
Nigerian women have been ranked as the highest users of skin bleaching creams in Africa.
According to data from a recent study carried out by Cable News Network, women from Nigeria were the highest consumers of skin-whitening creams ahead of four other African countries.
CNN was investigating skin whitening practices worldwide as part of a series titled ‘White Lies’.
The study showed that 75 per cent of Nigerian women patronise whitening products while Senegal had 60 per cent, Mali 50 per cent, and Ghana 30 per cent.
Before the latest CNN study, the World Health Organisation, in a 2013 report, said 77 percent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products, describing it as the world’s highest percentage.
My children unhappy with my looks
Further narrating to PUNCH HealthWise the damaging effects of bleaching creams on her skin, Bola said, “If you see the way people sometimes look at me with disdain in public, you will wonder if I have committed a taboo or sacrilege just because of the way the creams have destroyed my face.”
“Even some of my children sometimes question why I have to bleach my skin. I was dark in complexion before. Because some of my friends were doing it, I decided to join them.
“When I started, there was no reaction or spots on my face, legs, and hands. So, I looked good and was happy. When I got married, I continued because my husband wasn’t bothered.
“When I was pregnant, the doctor warned me about the risks of bleaching creams, perhaps I would go through Cesarean Section to deliver my baby. I was, however, lucky to have my four children through vaginal delivery.”
Regretting her decision, the mother of four said, “Unfortunately, I never knew that a time would come when the creams would start causing irreversible damage to my skin. Just look at me, I am just 47, but the effects of the cream have made me look like a 55-year-old woman.
“I have applied so many things including engine oil, honey, palm oil, yet the burns are still there. I regret going into it in the first place.”
Another woman into skin bleaching is Miss Irene Udoh from Akwa Ibom State who claimed she wasn’t aware of the side effects of skin bleaching when began using skin-lightening products in 2016.
Irene told PUNCH HealthWise that the impact of the products on her skin was quite disturbing especially on her face, lamenting that her regular exposure to the sun due to the nature of her business has further compounded her problem.
The 28-year-old food vendor said, “We are all dark in my family but I wanted my colour to be fair because I love fair people. And I also wanted to look good because of the nature of my business. But the cream has rather affected my skin, some parts are fair while others are dark.”
Also, Mrs. Bunmi Adegunwa, 49, and others who spoke with PUNCH Healthwise concluded that the practice of skin bleaching is just fruitless, citing their frustrating experiences with skin-lightening products that have left indelible marks on their skins.
Experts say processes of skin-lightening have a lot of health risks attached to them, warning that almost all bleaching products are composed of either of the three active ingredients – namely Mercury, Hydroquinone, or various corticosteroids.
According to them, these components when used without a prescription from a physician, dermatologist or doctor can have serious effects on the skin.
Bleaching creams cause kidney disease, cataracts, diabetes -Experts
Giving insight into the damaging effects of using skin-lightening products, Dr. Oiwoh told our correspondent that people need to be educated to know that what they apply to the skin finds its way to the bloodstream and the entire body.
The dermatologist explained, “The effects of the skin-lightening products vary per entity or as a combination depending on the constituents of the products.
“They wipe off the organisms that serve as soldiers to the skin, leaving it ‘naked’ and unprotected from many skin infections among which we have scabies, fungal infections of the skin, and viral infections.
“They can also cause stretch marks that are usually more ugly looking, wider, and deeper than we will have from other causes like obesity.”
The dermatologist further said, “The skin gets thinner over time then easy bruising of the skin, poor wound healing, and prominent dilated veins on the body (telangiectasias).”
“Skin cancer occurs as there is unprotected access to ultraviolet rays into the skin with subsequent burns, sun damage, and sun-induced change of the skin cells to cancerous types.
Beyond skin damage, the skin specialist pointed out that the practice of skin bleaching could also damage internal organs of the body.
“The damaging effects of skin lightening products in the body can involve damage to the kidneys (chronic kidney diseases), adrenals (Cushing syndrome), blood vessels (systemic hypertension), diabetes mellitus, cataracts, etc”, he added.
Reversal of burns on the face of bleaching cream users difficult
Concerning the burns on the face of bleaching cream users, Dr. Oiwoh said the reversal of the damaging effects of skin lightening practice depends on the type of damage, duration of use, and subsequent damage.
He explained, “The skin damage and ‘reversibility’ depend on the type of skin lightening products used, the concentration used, the duration of use, and the extent of the ultraviolet exposure among others.
“What we call “burns on the face” are exogenous ochronosis that results from the deposition of homogentisic acid in the deeper layer of the dermis. For this, the reversal is difficult.”
The dermatologist urged Nigerians to appreciate that being black, dark or chocolate in skin complexion is not a mark of inferiority but a protective shield “we have in this environment from the relatively hotter sun we are exposed to.”
He counselled, “The melanin ( that black pigment in our skin) is the shield we have that protects our skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.
“We must appreciate the reasons above for our colour. We must also realise that our colour is our identity.
“We must also appreciate that what we apply to the skin finds its way to the bloodstream and the entire body.
“Therefore, the erroneous impression that what is applied to the skin doesn’t reach the bloodstream is in the least damaging a piece of advice.”
Dr. Oiwoh concluded, “To the young as well as all Nigerians, we can maintain a very beautiful, lovely, attractive skin colour without bleaching our skin by eating an adequate and balanced diet, regular intake of fruits and vegetables, adequate rest, and regular exercise.”
Also, a maternal health expert, Dr. Stanley Egbogu, said women using skin-lightening products could have health issues during pregnancy.
Bleaching creams dangerous in pregnancy
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, Dr. Egbogu, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Akwa, Anambra State, stated that some chemicals used in manufacturing bleaching creams are toxic to the body and could lead to kidney damage including in pregnancy.
The gynaecologist said,“ The chemicals used in manufacturing these products usually lead to kidney problems depending on the type and dose and that is why we have an increase in kidney failures even in pregnancy.
“If the chemical used is toxic to the mother, it could also affect the unborn baby. It is not advisable for women who are pregnant to use bleaching creams.”
The American Academy of Dermatology, a board of certified US dermatologists, had in a recent press release expressed concerns about the growing trend of skin-lightening and the unintended health consequences of pursuing lighter skin at any cost.
A clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Seemal Desai, was quoted in the release as saying the cultural beliefs that promote the practice of skin bleaching date back centuries and deeply affect many in the practice.
“It’s going to take time to change these deeply-rooted cultural values and psychological associations with lighter skin tones; however, we want to educate patients about the dangers of skin bleaching strictly for the sake of achieving lighter skin and encourage them to talk with their dermatologist so that we can begin changing this dialogue,” Dr. Desai said.
The dermatologist noted that skin bleaching products that consumers were purchasing online and overseas might not be safe.
According to him, in some cases, ingredients aren’t listed on the package, which should be a big warning sign to stay away.
Also, Dr. Desai, said, “It’s time to stop the spread of poisonous information that perpetuates beliefs that lighter skin equals more beautiful skin whether it’s through product marketing or social media.”
