The ban on skin whitening creams has been a long time coming. I do not know if you have heard about this, but last Wednesday Ivory Coast officials announced that they had serious concerns about the long term health issues that were raised based on the use of skin whitening creams.
As such they moved into swift action and banned specific creams and lotions that contain the ingredient hydroquinone in the amounts of 2% or more.
According to Christian Doudouko the number of people who were experiencing side effects from the cream’s are alarmingly high. Here’s what they had to say:
“Cosmetic lightening and hygiene creams … that depigment the skin … are now forbidden”
Which means that the number of people using these types of cosmetics is even higher. In this day and age as we work on self appreciation I do not know why I am surprised at the continued popularity of these bleaching agents.
The side effects include skin cancer, diabetes, mercury poisoning and hypertension, all of which have been linked to the long term use of these creams.
One of the problems we think contribute to the continued popularity of these cosmetics is the fact that they are so embraced by pop culture artists.
Our society is very much influenced by what these people do and how they look, and areas like West Africa, are just as vulnerable to mass media images like many of us are in the US.
To that point The Guardian said:
Although there are no official figures on how many women use such products across Africa, billboards advertising the potentially deadly creams can be seen in cities across the continent.
“In our cultures, some people think women with light skin are the most beautiful. This beauty standard … pushes many girls to depigment their skin,” Ekra said.
“What we see in the media is the lighter one’s skin is, the better one’s life,” he added, referring to advertisements that fill the streets of Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s biggest city, showing models with lighter-than-average skin.
Remember when Dencia pictured above debuted her new skin tone after using the cosmetic line Whitenicious? Even though many of us spoke out against it there are still women supporting the brand based on her endorsement.
In countries like Jamaica and on the Continent of Africa generally we can only hope that these warnings are taken onboard by the masses. Still I fear that this could just lead to booming ‘black market’ sales of these products.
Yes we need to ban skin bleaching creams in more areas but until then maybe we can turn things around by educating people and helping them to embrace their dark skin realizing that it is beautiful just the way it is.
See more on skin bleaching:
Skin Bleaching Addiction [Video]
The Tyra Show- Mom Gets Caught BLEACHING HER KIDS SKIN!!!! [Video]
I met a real life bleacher.. a girl from Senegal that braids my hair. I hadn’t seen her in almost a year so I was shocked when I saw her. First thing I noticed is that her skin was spotted like a leopard and when she turned to walk away she had huge dark zig zag stretch marks I guess from her left over color on her legs. I still didn’t put it together until we started watching a Nigerian flick. A bleached woman was the lead actress so I brought up the topic. She admitted to bleaching and showed me her legs.. they were yellow but her toes and knuckles were jet black. I was shocked and we Google images of bleaching gone wrong. I was trying to convince her to stop and she promised she would but I doubt it. Her mother and five sisters in Senegal all bleach. It’s the way it is over there. Smh!
I am so grateful to live in a country where my color isn’t an issue and I actually get complements for my skin tone!
But yeah in Africa and the USA it’s best to be as light as possible.. which is clear to see when one looks at the “black” females in media…. them have ALL been beyonce-color for many years..even Kelly Rowland bleached her skin 🙁
But luckily there are more dark skin that are getting air-time and they are yonug & GORGEOUS!..no longer a fat old ugly woman..
Good she messed up her beautiful black skin
So sad but its true, they will like her now. Just don’t have kids.
Wth that can’t be the same person!!Smh
She’s pretty both ways tbh
I’m so proud of my skin, I would not change it, for nothing……… That the world has to offer
In an interview she said its a dark spot remover that she invented.
Guess ppl dont know their Identity
What this is about is really deeper then you could imagine it’s all comes down to destroy the black woman!
Well it’s her skin and if she feels more comfortable white then with all due respect .. Do what makes you happy
Who would dye there skin WHITE. …..
She was prettier in her natural state. Just my opinion
If everyone can have self expectance, we would have less insecure people and more love for ourselves and one another. Smh
Why would you use it???? It’s a sad thing to use.
My black is beautiful!!
What you do to your body is your business, but this is clearly not healthy, if you don’t get skin from the skin bleach, you surely will with all the sun exposure because you have no protection from it.
Eewww. That’s the same person?
About time
This is how you get skin disease
Good news!
You’re beautiful dark…. Light skin ain’t really the deal…. I should know…. I’m light skinned
I think its great. Our woman need to love the skin their in. We are the most beautiful race on the planet. All shapes, sizes, & colors. We are QUEENS!! We need to stop chasing the white mans version of beautiful
That’s sad that one could hate themselves that much!! They don’t need lightening cream, they need a Therapist.
Ain’t no way in he’ll I would give up my beautiful coat ,for paleness.
THE SKIN BLEACHING CREAM IS NOT THE PROBLEM … SOCIETY VIEWS ANYTHING DARK AS BAD OR UGLY, THAT’S THE PROBLEM !!!
This has been going on for years In the UAE 90% of the women bleach. They desire a pale complexion all their daily moisturisers contain bleach. I have indian clients come into my salon who bleach their l skin before I wax them, they say it makes their skin shiny? I dunno. The woman in the picture was EXTREMELY beautiful with her natural skin but I guess if she’s happy now, that’s the main thing. I use fake tan when I’m going to a wedding or party because it makes me feel nice and I feel clothes look better against a tan. For me I hate having “milk bottle” legs when I have a dress on lol but that’s whitegirlproblems”.
I tan…makes me look leaner. To each their own, I think she looked better in her natural tone. But again, whatever makes her happy. Some folks….u live and let live.
Terrible from black to white n Blonde sad times in history.. Thank u Lord for my skin tone n big hair!
I see skin bleaching the same way I see tanning and the use of skin bronze. Do what makes you happy.