Approximately 82 million viewers were estimated to have watched skin bleaching videos on YouTube, according to a skin-whitening study published by Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. These viewers may have been motivated by celebrities such as Beyonce, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj, who have allegedly undergone skin bleaching procedures. Skin bleaching is the body modification practice of using products to achieve a lighter skin complexion. The practice of skin bleaching that is known today has been around for years, as early as the 1800’s.
Skin bleaching began in ancient Greece when individuals began to desire a lighter skin complexion. As time progressed, people continued to use skin bleaching products to change their skin color. A lighter skin color was desired because at the time, it was seen as more god-like, and having a lighter skin color was associated with power and authority. Some individuals with a darker skin complexion, such as those in India and Africa, were and still are motivated to bleach their skin because of the history that a lighter skin color is more attractive in society. Some women also believe that lighter skin will allow them to climb the social ladder and find a husband more easily. The history of skin bleaching has impacted all people in today’s culture.
The practice of skin bleaching is widely popular today in most of Asia and Africa. In Lagos, Nigeria, for example, 77% of women use skin-lightening products, according to Vice.com. In the present times, most of these southern and eastern region communities heavily use skin bleaching products in the forms of creams, lotions, and soap. Ingredients that make up skin whitening products are not generally advertised.
Furthermore, some of the ingredients that make up skin whitening creams and soap are harmful and toxic to one’s health. Based on a study by A. Mahé published by the British Journal of Dermatology, skin bleaching products include toxins such as hydroquinone and glucocorticoids. To clarify, hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that can cause skin irritations leading to negative health consequences. Glucocorticoids is a type of steroid hormone that can result in acne, skin thinning, gastritis, and more. Other dangerous ingredients in skin bleaching products include types of metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. These metals are absorbed into a person’s body through the skin, and are known to cause cancer in various parts of the body. The increase in skin bleaching users points to the lack of awareness surrounding the topic of skin bleaching.
The norm that lighter skin is seen as more appealing is motivating people to continue using bleaching products that can cause harm to their health. The lack of awareness regarding skin bleaching is concerning to many, since it affects a large number of individuals in the world today. Additionally, it causes some to wonder about the root cause that makes people, specifically women, give in to the pressures to use the products in the first place.
Cover photo courtesy of Coconuts.
About the writer:
Mary Grace Contreras is a staff writer for The Lion's Roar. You can learn more information about her by clicking here.
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