We also provide tips for preventing scarring. This can be attributed to shea butters antioxidant, which strengthens and protect your skin from damaging. Recent Comments. Get the latest fact-checking journalism from around Africa delivered straight to your inbox. The better job opportunities and elevated status that people assume lighter skin brings paint a different picturea picture of African women making an entirely rational, calculated, businesslike decision. People with eczema often experience flare-ups that alternate with symptom-free periods. Because steroids reduce the number of melanocytes, or cells that produce melanin, manufacturers of skin-bleaching creams recklessly mix steroids into their products. "But it's going to take a lot of effort to change the mindset. But, Nigeria remains a huge market for skin-whitening products. superjoy via YouTube/Screenshot by NPR These professionals can offer advice on how to minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation after treatment. (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? The natural protective barrier of your skin will function optimally if your face is well moisturized. 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. We cover the challenges the continent faces and the solutions to these byAfricans themselves, including with the support of the United Nations and international community. The beauty industry in Africa is worth several billion dollars and increases by 8 to 10 percent every year. The key to using these products effectively is knowing your skin type. a harm associated with [unregulated] product use, she told Africa Check. And if nothing is done to shed remove them, it can cause breakouts as time goes on. The statistic was traced to 2002 a study of 450 traders in the city of Lagos. For example, a keloid scar may require surgery, whereas medical-grade creams could be more suitable for acne scars. 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? Eczema may cause skin discoloration, particularly after a flare-up, with the skin appearing either darker or lighter than usual. Its not something you decide one day that I want to be fair, I want to be like Michael Jackson and you become Michael Jackson all of a sudden. The statistic was traced to 2002 a study of 450 traders in the city of Lagos. Factors like the intense sun and constant exposure to dust can affect your skin, making it difficult to have a glowing skin. Dr. Isima Sobande was in medical school when she first heard of mothers who bleached the skin of their babies. Both local and imported products line the shelves of Rashida Lawals cosmetics shop. ", Nivea's response: "We have recently noted concerns on social media by some consumers regarding our NIVEA Natural Fairness Body Lotion communication in Ghana. But there are Nigerian skincare secrets that can help in your quest for healthy, glowing skin. Mercury, one of their most common active ingredients, lightens skin in two ways. Skin-bleaching products are more and more accessible over the counter in pharmacies and even in the streets and markets, adds Ms. Tetteh. In the early 1990s, activists convinced the government to ban all cosmetic skin lighteners containing known depigmenting agents and to prohibit cosmetic advertisements from making any claims to bleach, lighten or whiten skin. Soloman, 32, is bleaching her skin. People around the world often try to alter their skin color, using tanning salons or dyes to darken it or other chemicals to lighten it. Serial. Experts say the African market is rapidly expanding as companies seek to cash in on the continent's booming youth population. In some countries the figure is higher: a staggering 77% of women in Nigeria, 59% in Togo, 35% in South Africa, 27% in Senegal and 25% in Mali use skin-lightening products. African countries, including Ghana, Cte dIvoire and most recently Rwanda, have begun banning skin-lightening products. The vanishing black African woman: a compendium of the global skin-lightening practice. Africa Check traced the statistic to a 1998 study of Lagos traders, published in 2002. Eczema also presents differently on black skin, with affected areas appearing brown, grey, or purple. "We have a lot of customers who have used a lot of wrong products, they come to us and we give solutions," he says. Also, deep cleaning removes any collected impurities that may be clinging to your skin. Skin-lightening products, also known as skin brighteners or bleaching creams . Check out the ingredients, and you would be able to tell if that product will suit you or not. Turmeric is great for your skin. "Buying creams seems like a relatively easy way to a better life.". The baby's mother explained that she had mixed a steroid cream with shea butter and slathered his skin with it in order to make it whiter. A beauty secret could work for someone and could prove to be a disaster for the other. However, many healthcare problems in Nigeria and. But it wasn't long before she saw it with her own eyes. The perception is that "the darker and more 'African' you are, the less likely you will gain privilege based on your looks," says Edwin Okolo, an editor and fashion designer. The US-based Association of Black Psychologists notes that colourismpreference for lighter skinmay affect an individuals self-esteem, perceptions of beauty and economic opportunities. I dont bleach, they say, I tone!. It will elevate a woman., She adds, Proponents of depigmentation maintain the illusion that lighter skin will allow them to find better jobs, and to seduce more easily.. (n.d.). "I think that [the ad] strengthens the stereotype that happiness, fulfilment, career advancement and other positives are directly linked to skin tone. The figure compares with 59 per cent in . cryosurgery. Ghana has had an ongoing conversation about skin tones and lightening products for a while now. Many skin lightening creams contain hydroquinone, which is known to decrease melanocytes. To protect your skin against sun and cosmetic damage, you must strongly consider a sunscreen product. 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. Marburg disease, caused by a virus related to Ebola, is rare but severe, and often fatal. Learn more here. Bleaching sounds too hard, now its toning. Many of the tubes are unlabelled as to their actual ingredients. I'm the owner of Frankly Speaking with Glory Elijah channel. For a lot of people, it's the path to getting a good job, having a relationship.". However, starting with a low concentration (2.5%) will help people avoid potential irritation. When the bleaching propaganda got so negative, they had to come up with toning. Some women reject the trend, saying their natural dark skin is beautiful. An ad of a skin whitening cosmetic product in Kumasi, Ghana. Everyone has a layer of dead skin cells at the surface. Bleaching products work by lowering the number of melanocytes in your skin. Skin lighteners became primarily associated with people of colour. 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). parlour secret whitening skin polish at home.parlour secret whitening skin polish,Eid special bleach. We must open up a conversation around skin colour and beauty. "After the ad, I honestly took a look at my arms. Yet few seem to pay attention to these dangers. Where statistics about Africa's skin-bleaching industry exist, they are often old or unreliable. Media reports in a number of countries say 77% of Nigerian women use skin lightening cosmetics. 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. For some Nigerians, "good skin is usually fair skin," says Rotinwa. Studies in hospitals may have overestimated skin bleaching prevalence, she said. 7. 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. Media reports in a number of countries say 77% of Nigerian women use skin lightening cosmetics. And the skin lightening products are popular. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd. Amira Adawe, an activist with The Beautywell Project pickets outside Amazon. This ad campaign subsequently was taken to Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal. "Skin bleaching is one manifestation of folks trying to get power and privilege aligned with whiteness," said Yaba Blay, a researcher at North Carolina Central University. 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. Africa is experiencing a massive trend of skin bleaching, also called lightening or whitening, particularly in teenagers and young adults. laser treatment. He flicked through his phone to show before-and-after photos of a client who had a problem with dark knuckles, a telltale sign of a skin bleacher.Intravenous injections and pills of glutathione -- an antioxidant naturally found in the body that has a lightening side effect -- are the new frontiers of skin bleaching. bleomycin injections. But sometimes clients will bring in their own cheaper product that they bought online and urge him to inject them. 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. Rashida and her staff also mix different ointments and creams for customers depending on the desired level of lightness. Allowed HTML tags:

1. . Duke University Press. "Skin-lightening procedures work by reducing the concentration or production of melanin . But they are well-advised to steer clear. In Nigeria alone, 77 per cent of women -- by extrapolation, more than 60 million people -- are using lightening products on a "regular basis", the World Health Organization (WHO) said in 2011.. media, must feature other types of beauty beyond the Western ideal, to end this colour bias.. Thursday 29 August 2013 - 4:33pm. Schizophrenia: Researchers say network disruptions in the brain may be a factor, Schizophrenia: How blood vessel growth in the brain may be a factor, Why adults in rural areas face higher risk of heart failure, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, The best ways to get rid of dark spots on black skin. 10,500. These chemicals could have a range of side effects when used regularly, according to skin experts. Some creams contain steroids, compounds that doctors sometimes prescribe to treat skin conditions such as eczema, allergic reactions and dermatitis, which are meant to be used for not more than seven days and only on affected areas. The market for skin-lightening creams in Nigeria is big according to a 2011 report by the World Health Organization, 77 percent of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. You cannot skip moisturizing if you want soft and smooth skin. all say 77% of women in the west African country use the potentially harmful products. For those who bleach, staying black is not beautiful at all. You know most times dark people tend towill I say resist? According to a 2002 survey of 450 residents of Lagos, done by the University of Cape Town, an estimated 77 percent use them. These effects are known as hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, respectively. People may wish to use topical lotions and ointment to alleviate their dry, cracked, and itchy skin. Treating acne with over-the-counter products may take a long time, and the results will not always be immediate. 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. They first appeared on billboards in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in June. "Yes this is Nigeria, a fair skin is business. becomes first province to offer free birth control, Ont. The research was carried out in three markets in Lagos from May to July 1998. And marriage serves as a form of social capitalbeing someones wife, a child bearer and esteemed member of society. A person must also never use bleach to lighten their skin as this is extremely dangerous. Your skin is composed of many layers of cells. Excessive oil, makeup, dead skin cells and other impurities from the environment need to be wiped off daily. But manufacturers are fighting back. 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. An African will prefer to be called John-Philip. However, not all clinical therapies are suitable for treating scarring on dark skin, as some may cause . She pointed out problems in studies made so far, including the ones discussed in this report. #Melaninpoppin, a hashtag celebrating black skin, and the smash-hit movie "Black Panther," which featured an almost all-black cast wearing African-inspired outfits and natural hair, are held up as testaments to a shift away from longstanding Eurocentric standards of beauty. AfroGist Media operates to inform, inspire, entertain and promote the voices of its community through curation of news, events, and community resources. White Secret Lightening Body Lotion 300ml+ Dark Spot Remover Face Cream. Here are skincare secrets that can help you achieve and maintain healthy and radiant skin in Nigeria. In China and Japan too, elite women and some men used white lead preparations and rice powder to achieve complexions resembling white jade or fresh lychee. Also referred to as bleaching in Nigeria, skin whitening is the use . Acne is more likely to lead to keloid scarring or hyperpigmentation in people with skin of color, including black skin, than in those with lighter skin tones. Of people, it can cause breakouts as time goes on nigerian skin lightening secrets skin in Nigeria, a fair skin with... A huge market for skin-whitening products the ad, I tone! is beautiful up... Conversation media Group Ltd. Amira Adawe, an activist with the Beautywell pickets. 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