Working in a shop in South Africa, I've witnessed the ravaged faces caused by using skin lightening creams. Recently the issue in of skin bleaching has come under discussion, with the University of Kwazulu Natal running a campaign to highlight the problem
(image: pixabay)
"Skin Bleaching represents a profound, yet subliminal hatred of self. Indigenous Africans and Indians need to embrace natural beauty and love the skin they are in." UKZN/Department Of Health Kwazulu Natal.
Skin bleaching occurs in all dark skinned populations, particularly in India and Africa. Many governments have banned the practice due to significant health risks, but such is the demand for these creams that there is a thriving black market trade in them.
The very real health dangers of skin lighteners include skin thinning, acne, skin infections, poor wound healing, skin discolouration and premature ageing. It also greatly increases cancer risk, as the skin is stripped of its natural sun protection.
While doing some reading on this subject online, I was astounded by how many advertisements for legal skin lightening treatments there were, which are priced way above the average South African (or Indian/African) woman, causing them to resort to dangerous black market options.
(image: timeslive)
It makes me unbelievably sad that all people, but more especially women, feel the need to harm themselves in order to fit in a narrow band of "the ideal" that our world values. How is it that a small population of light skinned people have caused entire continents to internalise a feeling of inferiority? As always it is the poor that suffer most, as they lack the education to make informed decisions.