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The Effects of Skin Bleach In Society

Fair skin is a complexion many strive for from a young age, whether advertised through our
favorite childhood fairytales like Cinderella or simply demonstrated by famous individuals in
popular culture like Michael Jackson, this forever trend is not always so easily attained by all.
Men and women from various backgrounds go to great lengths to possess lighter skin in a society
that praises it; this does not come at a terrible health cost to those individuals. Skin bleaching
products can stem all the way back to the era of Elizabethan in the 1500s, where powder was
used to whiten the color of skin. (A Short History of Whitening). The usage of skin lightening
products did not stop in the 1500s, they continued on up until the 1920s when darker skin was
looked down upon due to the fact it was associated with coming from a lower class and the lower
class was known to do labor work. The praising of lighter skin suddenly takes a turn during the
return of designer Coco Chanel, who stunned the public with her darker skin tone after a cruise.
In result, the designer will be praised for her darker skin, which will result in the introduction of
skin tanning. (A Short History of Whitening). Although, the trend of darker skin did not last long
because yet again lighter skin started becoming the ideal for beauty. Dangerous products such as
skin bleach or lightening cream started becoming popular in the twentieth century, especially
among the African American community. These skin products are primarily used as a beauty
product, opposed to the actual medical purposes it is meant for. Skin bleach or skin lightening
products are damaging products that should be limited to those who are truly in need of it,
not for beauty purposes. Skin lightening products promote the hatred and insecurity of
darker skin and in result, cause a domino effect for a desire in lighter skin.

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The health concerns associated with skin lightening products is the key component of
why they are not beneficial for the health of individuals that use them. Since society praises
lighter skin, people are blinded by the amount of harmful chemicals and health issues of these
products have. Skin bleach products contain illegal ointments such as mercury, which blocks the
melanin in the body. Melanin is an essential factor in revealing the tone of skin. The more
melanin a person contains in their body, the darker the skin tone. (Shome). The use of mercury in
skin bleach products or lightening cream allows it to absorb away the melanin, thus stripping
away the color of skin which can result in dangerous health factors due to the fact that melanin
plays as a protective layer that that blocks harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. (Shome). In
addition to this, skin bleach is an irreversible decision that comes with dire health risks such as
skin cancer, liver and kidney damage, and poisoning. When asked about skin lightening
products, Ayobode Williams, a medical doctor, confirms that systemically it causes things such
as kidney failure because of the mercury in some of the products and it also causes eczema, skin
pigmentation among a host of other infections. (Adow). Despite the health issues that transpire
due to skin lightening products, it does not decrease the sales or amount of usage by people in
different cultures.

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African is one of the worlds most contributing countrys that supports the sales of skin
lightening products. It was found in 2011 that in places such as Senegal, Mali, Togo and South
Africa, women used more than 20% of skin lightening products daily, with Nigeria in the lead
with 77% usage by women. (World Health Organization). But why is it that women in this region
find these skin lightening creams favorable? The products strip away the natural complexion of
their skin and could possibly damage their skin or their health internally. Skin bleach promotes a
certain perception that light skin is the dominant or worthier skin choice or in other words, it
supports white supremacy. Lighter skin is seen as the praised skin choice with more opportunity
and less judgment in society, which results in people of darker skin to yearn for a lighter
complexion. With the contributions of the media and celebrity advertising, the skin lightening
phenomenon continues on as norm which must be accomplished in order to maintain this

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perfect image. Although, celebrities enormously take fault in the rise of this whole new look
on perfection, especially in different cultures with people who possess darker skin.
A perfect example of celebrity advertising begins with famous pop star Dencia from
Cameroonian, who launched a skin care product with the intentions of removing dark spots on
skin, although, this product was not used for is original intent by the consumers. The skin care
product launched by the entertainer was being used as a skin bleacher by her main purchasers,
whom happened to be Africans. Furthermore, one would suppose since the product is not being
used in a secure manner and it is glorifying lighter skin, Dencia would end the production of this
product, however she does not. In result, the artist deals with tough criticism from the public and
is questioned on her reasons for not ending the production of this product that could harm the
well-being of her customers. Dencia responds to the critics by answering do I know what they
do with it? No, I dont care because its their money; its how they want to spend it. In addition
to being self-seeking, Dencia becomes informed that this skin bleaching product could possibly
cause cancer in her customers and uncaringly, Dencia replies But guess what? The air you
breathe outside causes you cancer. Everything in the world causes you cancer.
Already being a icon in the African culture and a user of skin lightening products, Dencia, is
supporting lighter skin and supporting the belief that lighter skin is better to the public with her
product. How could one be so blinded to not see the influence they have on young women and
men? Celebrities are seen as important icons to the public, therefore any trend they are doing is
looked up upon as a way of perfection. Hence, by Dencia promoting her skin care product and
selfishly not caring for the well-being of the public, demonstrates that celebrities do take part in
the spread or belief of lighter skin. This demonstration is not only seen in the Unites States, but
in other countries as well. People may wonder though, what is the big deal with skin bleach? It

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is a personal choice and individuals should have the right to pursue it, right?

Others may argue that skin bleach is a private choice and people do not have the rights to
put fourth their opinion on whether who can and can not bleach their skin. To some degree they
have a point; anything done by an individual is out of anyones control due to the fact that, that
individual has their god given rights to do whatever they desire to their appearance. However,
skin bleach is not supposed to be used for personal reasons such as wanting lighter skin to fit the
high standards of society. Skin bleach or lightening products are medical tool used to assist those
with skin diseases. In other words, skin bleach is not meant for personal insecurity reasons.
Those with skin diseases use the skin lightening products despite all the harsh chemicals and
possible horrible side effects because it is one of their only alternatives. For these skin bleaching
products to be used as an everyday cosmetic, it takes away the importance and bigger picture of
their actual reason for its usage. Not only do skin lighting products accept the perception that
lighter skin is worthier, it also comes with health issues, and in addition to that, it causes a
phenomenon of insecurity with dark skin in our society. Therefore, skin lightening products
should be limited on who use these products because they send an unpleasant message to the
public and they have a far more important purpose than beauty.

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Work Cited
Charles, Christopher A.D. "Skin Bleaching and the Deconstruction of Blackness." Skin
Bleaching and the Deconstruction of Blackness. N.p., 2003. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

USA. World Health Organization. Preventing Disease Through Healthy Enviroments. N.p., 2011.
Web. 3 Mar. 2015.

Shome, Debraj, Dr. "Why You Should Be Wary of Skin-lightening Products." The Healthy Site.
N.p., 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.

Peppers, Margot. "'Whitenicious Is an Abomination': African Pop Star Is Accused of Selling Skin
Bleach with Controversial Pigment-altering Cream." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 08
Feb. 2014. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.

Moore, Shelley. "What Are the Dangers of Hydroquinone?" LIVESTRONG.COM.

LIVESTRONG.COM, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Anekwe, Obiora N. "The Global Phenomenon of Skin Bleaching: A Crisis in Public Health (Part
1)." Voices In Bioethics. Columbia University, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.

Adow, Mohammed. "Nigeria's Dangerous Skin Whitening Obsession." - Al Jazeera English.

N.p., 6 Apr. 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.

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"A Short History of Whitening - Ego Pharmaceuticals." Ego Pharmaceuticals A Short History of
Whitening Comments. N.p., 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.

Blay, Yaba Amgborale. "Skin Bleaching and Global White Supremacy: By Way of
Introduction." Skin Bleaching and Global White Supremacy: By Way of Introduction. N.p., n.d.
Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Kassim, Andrea, Dr. "The Dermatology Group." The Dermatology Group. N.p., 11 Nov. 2014.
Web. 10 Mar. 2015.