Fatima's experience serves as a cautionary tale against the cultural pressures that lead to skin-lightening practices.
**The Hidden Dangers of Skin-Lightening Creams: A Mother's Regret**
**The Hidden Dangers of Skin-Lightening Creams: A Mother's Regret**
A Nigerian mother mourns the harmful effects of skin-bleaching products on her children.
Fatima, a 32-year-old mother in northern Nigeria, recently shared her heartbreaking experience involving the use of skin-lightening creams on her six children. Standing with her two-year-old, whose discolored skin bears visible scars, Fatima described the heavy pressure she faced from family and society to conform to beauty standards favoring lighter skin tones. Her regret is profound, and she deeply wishes she could turn back time.
Under the impression that using these creams would earn her mother's affection and acceptance, Fatima bought unregulated products from local markets without medical advice. Initially yielding lighter skin, the creams soon turned disastrous, leading to painful burns and discoloration. One daughter, now 14, hides her face in public; another experiences darkened skin around her eyes, and her youngest son suffers from open sores.
This cultural phenomenon known as skin bleaching is rampant in Nigeria, where the World Health Organization reports that 77% of women use such products regularly, the highest rate on the continent. Many creams contain harmful substances like mercury and hydroquinone, which can cause chronic health issues including skin disorders, mercury poisoning, and kidney damage.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) has declared an emergency to combat this troubling trend, but the practice persists, with reports of new generations of children being bleached even from birth. Experts, including dermatology practitioners like Zainab Bashir Yau, reveal that societal standards equate lighter skin with beauty and success, perpetuating a cycle of cultural discrimination against dark-skinned individuals.
During a visit to one of Kano's bustling markets, a reporter witnessed firsthand the alarming practices of “mixologists” creating skin-lightening products on the spot. Customers often requested dangerous ingredients without acknowledging the health risks involved. Some parents prioritize cosmetic results for their children over safety, while teenage girls bulk-buy creams to sell to peers.
Meanwhile, health officials are fighting an uphill battle to regulate and educate the public, as many products elude detection due to their unlabelled nature. Dr. Leonard Omokpariola from Nafdac indicated the difficulty in managing unregulated sales but remains committed to addressing the issue.
Fatima now realizes the irreversible damage caused and vows to share her story to deter others. "I beg other parents to learn from my mistakes," she states, struggling with guilt and the hope that her children's scars might one day fade. Despite her regret, her plea raises awareness of the toxic beauty standards that can devastate lives and highlights the urgent need for change in community attitudes toward skin color and beauty.
Under the impression that using these creams would earn her mother's affection and acceptance, Fatima bought unregulated products from local markets without medical advice. Initially yielding lighter skin, the creams soon turned disastrous, leading to painful burns and discoloration. One daughter, now 14, hides her face in public; another experiences darkened skin around her eyes, and her youngest son suffers from open sores.
This cultural phenomenon known as skin bleaching is rampant in Nigeria, where the World Health Organization reports that 77% of women use such products regularly, the highest rate on the continent. Many creams contain harmful substances like mercury and hydroquinone, which can cause chronic health issues including skin disorders, mercury poisoning, and kidney damage.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) has declared an emergency to combat this troubling trend, but the practice persists, with reports of new generations of children being bleached even from birth. Experts, including dermatology practitioners like Zainab Bashir Yau, reveal that societal standards equate lighter skin with beauty and success, perpetuating a cycle of cultural discrimination against dark-skinned individuals.
During a visit to one of Kano's bustling markets, a reporter witnessed firsthand the alarming practices of “mixologists” creating skin-lightening products on the spot. Customers often requested dangerous ingredients without acknowledging the health risks involved. Some parents prioritize cosmetic results for their children over safety, while teenage girls bulk-buy creams to sell to peers.
Meanwhile, health officials are fighting an uphill battle to regulate and educate the public, as many products elude detection due to their unlabelled nature. Dr. Leonard Omokpariola from Nafdac indicated the difficulty in managing unregulated sales but remains committed to addressing the issue.
Fatima now realizes the irreversible damage caused and vows to share her story to deter others. "I beg other parents to learn from my mistakes," she states, struggling with guilt and the hope that her children's scars might one day fade. Despite her regret, her plea raises awareness of the toxic beauty standards that can devastate lives and highlights the urgent need for change in community attitudes toward skin color and beauty.
