Toxic Beauty: The Hidden Dangers of Skin Whitening
A quote that most people live by is that when you are a light-skinned person, “mtoto rangi ya pesa,” which means you have a skin tone associated with wealth. But the question is, is that real? Does that mean that if you’re not light-skinned, you have no wealth?
That’s just the mentality of the people around us; it’s not real, and nothing like that exists.
Skin whitening has been an obsession over the years, with the numbers gradually increasing from young girls to women, driven by the desire to be lighter and to fit in with social groups and perfection. But what pressures does society put on women to use skin whitening products without caution, or rather, without properly checking and researching the effects associated with such products?
Research conducted by the University of Nairobi revealed that 25% to 40% of women in urban settlements admitted to using skin lighteners, with factors influencing them listed as societal pressure, social media influence, and the desire to treat acne and dark spots.
The most commonly used products include Caro Light, Betamethasone, Movate, and Diana Cream, and in some instances, wealthier women opt to go for clinical procedures for skin whitening.
Several of these products have been banned in the country due to the high health risks associated with them, with some containing illegal levels of hydroquinone, mercury, and steroids.
The government has even locked down some unlicensed beauty clinics operating illegally, which has cost the lives of some women after undergoing skin lightening procedures.
Let’s break down some of the risky components used in lightening creams and their effects on an individual’s health.
Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening component used in many creams. It can help treat some skin conditions associated with hyperpigmentation, but it has various effects on the skin, such as redness, and ochronosis — a bluish-black discoloration of the skin that can also be caused by the application of substances like hydroquinone. In some individuals, it may cause allergic reactions.
Another component is steroids, which whiten the skin by suppressing melanin, but over time, they weaken the skin. Several side effects reported with the use of steroids include the appearance of stretch marks, increased acne, hormonal imbalance, and increased risks of infection.
Mercury, on the other hand, is added to some whitening products and inhibits the production of melanin to lighten the skin. It also increases skin sensitivity, leading to severe sunburns and hyperpigmentation. When accumulated in the skin, it may affect body organs such as the kidneys and liver.
Therefore, individuals should be very keen when purchasing skincare products, since most of these products are harmful to the skin and body. Whitening the skin is beauty at a risk — a risk that may not be prevalent at the start but could impact your health over time.
The most important matter is that you should accept yourself for who you are, keeping in mind that your skin color does not matter. What matters is how you take care of your skin, what you are consuming, and what you put on your skin — that is all that needs to be considered.
“Real skin has texture, pores, and even occasional blemishes. The goal is healthy skin, not perfect skin.” — Sean Garrette
Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
