Beauty is the major attraction for women. And it doesn’t necessarily mean clarity. Unfortunately, many African women, due to lack of acceptance, indulge in skin bleaching. A famous practice in sub-Saharan African countries, is the use of cosmetics mixtures to whiten the skin.
Like Western countries, some women in black African countries consider fair skin to be synonym of beauty and success Skin bleaching is now a real social phenomenon. The fair complexion is now perceived as a criteria of beauty and the sign of a given social status. In fact, according to a 2011 WHO report, three-quarters of women in Nigeria regularly used skin bleaching products. As well as in some black african countries. The phenomenon is widespread and transmitted from generation to generation. Who are the main actor?
The backbone of skin bleaching
In analytical argument, one cannot blame a particular group or category of people. Indeed, the phenomenon is becoming more and more widespread in African countries. This seems to indicate that African society in general is involved in this act. Men as well as women are engaged in skin bleaching. One might even consider the concept of a society requiring fair complexion. In fact, men prefer fair complexion women to black ones. Some even recommend skin bleaching to their spouse ; others still make fair complexion a criteria in choosing their companion. However, though some men nowadays bleach their skin, it is mostly practiced by women, mostly between 18 and 60 years old. Many women from all socio-professional categories have access to this method for various reasons.
The reasons behind skin bleaching
Those who undergo skin bleaching are primarily motivated by aesthetic reasons. In the African fashion world, “the fairer your skin, the prettier you are considered”. La beauté est donc une question de clarté de la peau. Consequently, the fair complexion is considered to be the most attractive and represents external beauty. In addition, there is a Western cultural influence and media messages. The reality is that, in Africa’s major cities streets, whitening products and fair skinned women are advertised everywhere. This logically encourages women to practice. Frequently, women begin with simple products to beautify their skin and get rid of dark spots before falling completely into skin bleaching. If in some African countries, it mostly concerned married women due to the competition in polygamous couples, in other countries, it is the opposite, with single women eager to settle down. Beyond aesthetics, there are many other reasons to bleach the skin. Social welfare, modernity, urbanism and wealth factors all come into play to justify the act. But the phenomenon is now taking another dimension and turning into a law in African society. Definitely, the former version remains the usage of chemical products. But due to technological advances, skin bleaching through pills and injections is becoming the norm.. Many institutions have adopted this new way of skin bleaching. Practices exposing the users to serious side-effects.
Side effects of skin bleaching
One is sometimes tempted to think that those engaged in depigmentation might be unaware of the risks they are exposing themselves to, but the truth is that they know more about the issue than anyone else. Most of them are informed about the negative effects on their skin. Unfortunately, aesthetic motivations take over. The risks are often aesthetic, sanitary or even economic. The hydroquinone used to bleach the skin is a dangerous product as it reduces melanin. After a year of use, some areas of the body and face become red, and the feet and hands turn black. The spots, stretch marks and lesions occasionally become noticeable. The absence of melanin in the body prevents it from being protected from sun’s rays. The skin loses its natural defenses. From a health perspective, the skin becomes thinner, causing scarring problems, as well as neurological risks and kidney complications. Infections, fungus, scabies and many others appears. Economically, skin bleaching increase women’s income. The products needed varied from 1000 to 10000fcfa at least. Being applied daily and at least twice a day, the monthly budget for these chemicals can rapidly increase.
What can be done about it? ?
At this rate, it is important to remember that beauty is not the same as clarity. Africa in general, is defined by the black skin. And this blackness does not make it a second-class continent. As much as it is essential for African society to evolve and stop promoting fair-skinned women as the only beautiful model, women should also become aware of their value beyond the established physical rules. If ” all that glitters is not gold “, it is no less true that the brightness of the skin does not make a person better or superior. A black and shiny skin, that’s our fundamental value. So let’s make our natural skin color our identity.
French translation of ” Dépigmentation en Afrique: La peau noire serait-elle en voie de disparition ? ”, Eliane FATCHINA by Salima ALAGBE
