There is nothing wrong with using bleaching cream. I love to be light skinned, and I changed my complexion.
“I started using skin white cream at the early stage, but it was not effective on my skin, so I later added pills to it,” Sophia Udom, a 27-year-old lady, told this reporter.
The rising trend in the use of creams and other chemicals to lighten one’s skin is no longer news.
Some Africans are in this race of skin lightening based on their belief that light-skinned people are more attractive and beautiful.
In the past, the trend is mostly associated with women, but nowadays men have also joined the ‘race’.
Majority of the people who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said they believe such creams as the most effective way of getting the skin lightened.
‘Old fashioned’

However, the use of the cream is considered old fashioned for some Nigerians, as many of those who lighten their skin now rely on glutathione pills and injections to achieve their desired skin complexion.
The use of glutathione pills and injections is now the new frontier of skin bleaching.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in human cells that neutralises free radicals, boosts the immune system and detoxifies the body.
This also causes skin lightening by converting melanin to a lighter colour and deactivating the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps produce the pigment.
Intravenous glutathione treatments are meant to increase those natural effects, diminishing scars and blotches while lightening skin colour.

Side effects

According to the WHO, the main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage.

The mercury in skin lightening products may also cause skin rashes, skin discolouration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.
Other effects include anxiety, depression or psychosis and peripheral neuropathy.
Many users are, however, ignorant of the damaging effect of the products on their health.
“I don’t agree with you that there are any side effects from bleaching. It is simple.
“I was dark in complexion; I do not like to be dark-skinned, and I decided to tone up. For me, It is a choice I made, and I’m happy I made that decision,” Lade Olayinka, a lady, who uses skin lightening cream, said.
Experts also warned against skin bleaching, saying it may lead to skin cancer.
A dermatologist, Akin Shiyanbola, said skin lightening comes with a lot of repercussions including the possibility of skin cancer.
He said “with bleaching, myriads of things that will eventually go wrong with time could be frightening.

“Stripping the skin of its protective colour pigment connotes invitation to the enhanced damaging effect of ultraviolet rays on the skin with the possibility of skin cancers over time, accelerated skin ageing as users get older and widespread sun-related skin conditions like Dermatosis papulosa nigra.

“Other effects include loss of skin substance causing stretch marks, dyschromia (‘coke face, fanta body’), skin infections, generalised itching, hydroxyquinone odours, perturbation of hormonal system, mood changes, diabetes mellitus, kidney damage and more,” he added.
He said eating healthy, and adequate exercise gives one beautiful skin.
Mr Shiyanbola urges regulators and the media to help sensitise the public on the health risks of using skin lightening materials.
“While bleaching is being promoted overtly or covertly by the media, the regulatory agents appear to be running against the wind in terms of control.
“Those profiting from sales of various bleaching agents are smiling to the banks, and the users stake their future health for wanting a fairer skin,” he said.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-features/333150-silent-dangers-in-methods-of-bleaching-nigerians-adopt.html

The rate at which people bleach their skins is rising, even men now are bleaching.

I see some girls with different skin type along the streets. Fair face, dark legs, and so on.


It's high time people appreciate their skin colour. When nature sets something and man goes to change it, it becomes something else entirely.

To all our ajebutters outt there, take note.

CC Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Seun

Worthy of FP.