Skin lighteners: A thin line between self loathe, self- enhancing
of the fair “prinesses” sidled over and grabbing my hands she whispered, “Move to this side, let’s talk,” she bares her teeth in what i assume is a smile.
in no time she is explaining to me that my mission would be accomplished in no time. She boasted that she makes her own concoctions and i dared not ask her about the ingredients or if she went to school for that.
All the time we are talking she is touching my face my hands, examining my skin closely. Her face glows with excitement and she promises me a face like Angelina Jolie.
She is very convincing and has mastered the art of beauty and besides her carefully made up face sells her products without her saying anything.
As we are winding up our conversation a woman walks up to her and takes out a wad of notes.
(i now have the money please prepare the lotion for me).
Snatching the notes she greedily smacks her red wine lips.
“Wait here, i will mix the ingredients and you will walk out of here in no time,” she gushes.
She suddenly remembered me ad winking tells me to wait a few minutes.
She ducks into a secluded corner of the shop and for a couple of minutes she is absorbed in her work.
Finally, she comes back bearing a small bottle which is untitled and hands it over to the woman who quickly grabs it and stashes it in her bag.
Turning to me she assures me that her product is safe and she makes it according to customer specifications.
Her price is not cheap, her lotions range from $50.
i promise her that i will come back with the money and we part. As i step out of the shop i can’t help but wonder if being light was worth the risk of getting cancer or a permanent scar that no amount of cream can erase.
Health risks The skin lightening creams are classified under the country’s Dangerous Drugs and Substances Act, and the Drug Control Council of Zimbabwe banned the creams in 1980 but women and lately men are still using these products.
Research by the World Health Organisation shows that nigerians are the highest users of such products: 77% of nigerian women use the products on a regular basis. They are followed by Togo with 59%; South Africa with 35%.
According to Brighton Chireka who is a general practitioner and a Patient Engagement Advocate (PEA) in Folkestone kent, Uk can contain toxic substances, such as high steroids, mercury and hydroxyquinone, and sadly many people are typically unaware of the risks.
Exposure to mercury can have serious health consequences such as damages to the kidneys and the nervous system, and interfere with the development of the brain in unborn children and very young children
“Children can get mercury in their bodies from breathing in mercury vapours if a member of the household uses a skin cream containing mercury. infants and small children can ingest mercury if they touch their parents who have used these products,” said Chireka.
He also said skin lighteners contain an active ingredient or a combination of ingredients that reduces the amount of melanin in the skin where it is applied. Excessively reducing this concentration of melanin may increase the risk of skin cancers.
“Melanin is produced by melanocytes to protect the DNA of our skin from sun damage,” he said
The products have also been linked to blood cancers such as leukaemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys, as well as a severe skin condition called ochronosis, a form of hyper-pigmentation which causes the skin to turn a dark purple shade.