The World Health Organisation, WHO, has said 77 percent of women in
Nigeria use skin-lightening products, the world’s highest percentage.
The figure compares with 59 percent in Togo, and 27 percent in Senegal.
The WHO report said the reasons for this are varied but most people
said they use skin-lighteners because they want “white skin”.
WHO also said skin bleaching comes with hazardous health
consequences. The dangers associated with the use of toxic compounds for
skin bleaching include, blood cancers such as leukemia and cancers of
the liver and kidneys, as well as severe skin conditions. It said
hardcore bleachers use illegal ointments containing toxins like mercury,
a metal that blocks production of melanin, which gives the skin its
colour, but can also be toxic.
The report said in many parts of Africa, lighter-skinned women are
considered more beautiful and believed to be more successful and likely
to find marriage. It also said it is not only women who are obsessed
with bleaching their skins. Some men too are involved in the practice.
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