2nd February, 2025
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Experts in skin care warn that the rampant bleaching among Nigerians poses severe health risks to millions, mostly women, who are desperate to achieve lighter complexion.
Prof. Dasetima Altraide, President, Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, and Folawewo David, a skin care specialist, gave the warning in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
They described the trend as a ticking time bomb.
According to the 2023 World Health Organisation Fact Sheet, Nigeria has the highest prevalence of skin bleaching, globally.
The data also shows that 77 per cent of women in Nigeria consume skin-lightening products.
It also shows that the trend is driven by societal pressures, as having lighter skin is linked to beauty, success and wealth.
Altraide described the rate of skin bleaching by Nigerians as alarming, saying that the consequences were dire.
Altraide is the Chairman of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Management Board.
According to him, bleaching does not maintain skin but destroys it.
The medical expert told NAN that the common reason people gave for using skin bleaching products was skin and colour maintenance.
He emphasised that nature would ultimately take its toll on the human skin.
“They want to maintain their colour, forgetting that, sometimes, during the sunny season, everybody gets darker,” he said.
The professor said that skin bleaching could lead to stretch marks and, in severe cases, congenital infections.
“Steroid-based creams can cause hypertension, diabetes and skin damage,” he said.
He added that bleaching makes the skin to become thin, compelling wounds to take a longer time to heal.
“When you bleach, you have a wound that goes deep into the skin,” he emphasised.
Altraide also said that skin bleaching could cause kidney problems and hormonal imbalances.
The don advocated intensified public sensitisation on the dangers of skin bleaching.
He recommended alternative products for skin maintenance to include moisturisers and microcinnamide.
“You don’t need to bleach. Bleaching does not maintain the skin. Bleaching destroys the skin,” he warned.
Also, David, the lead Aesthetician at Wewoaesthetics Spa, said that low self-esteem, self-hatred and the wrong notion that lighter skin was associated with beauty, were some reasons people bleached their skin.
“Use of bleaching products tends to cause health issues because the products contain harsh chemical products which go into the skin and then the bloodstream.
“Some of the ingredients they use as bleaching agents, including hydroquinone, mercury and steroids, can cause hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems and adrenal fatigue.
She listed other complications as estrogen dominance, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility and skin cancer.
David also advocated increased awareness about the dangers of skin bleaching to tackle the menace.
She emphasised stricter regulations of skin care products and the promotion of natural, healthy skin care practices.
“There is the need for serious awareness on the dangers of skin bleaching.
“Governments should regulate skincare products, strengthen laws and regulations to ban harmful bleaching products.
“They should also inform people about the risks and harm caused by skin bleaching and encourage natural, healthy skincare practices,” she advised.
