The World Health Organisation,
WHO, has said 77 percent of
women in Nigeria use skin-
lightening products, the world’s
highest percentage. The figure
compares with 59 percent in
Togo, and 27 percent in Senegal.
The WHO report said the
reasons for this are varied but
most people said they use skin-
lighteners because they want
“white skin”.
WHO also said skin bleaching
comes with hazardous health
consequences. The dangers
associated with the use of toxic
compounds for skin bleaching
include, blood cancers such as
leukemia and cancers of the liver
and kidneys, as well as severe
skin conditions. It said hardcore
bleachers use illegal ointments
containing toxins like mercury, a
metal that blocks production of
melanin, which gives the skin its
colour, but can also be toxic.
The report said in many parts of
Africa, lighter-skinned women
are considered more beautiful
and believed to be more
successful and likely to find
marriage. It also said it is not
only women who are obsessed
with bleaching their skins. Some
men too are involved in the
practice.
* In extreme cases of skin
bleaching, the skin can become
multi-coloured and marred
with inflammation or scarring.
WHO investigation said
lightening creams are not
effectively regulated in Nigeria
where even roadside vendors
sell tubes and plastic bags of
powders and ointments from
cardboard boxes stacked along
sidewalks in market districts.
Many of the tubes are unlabelled
as to their actual ingredients.
Qatar based Al Jazeera also
reported that business is
booming for shops selling skin-
lightening products. A trader
said, “About 90 percent of my
clients come asking for skin
whitening products,” adding “I
sell it to them and give advice on
what product is best for them
and how to use them.”
Source:Vanguardngr.com/2013/06/nigerian-women-lead-in-skin-bleaching-who/

the w.h.o probably have not been to congo kinshasha.