Experts caution Nigerians against health disorders from skin bleaching

*Health professionals say skin bleaching may result in health disorders associated with cancer, diabetes and other complications in consumers, the active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury, a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological and kidney problems

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In re-emphasising the collateral damage of skin bleaching to the overall well-being of consumers, healthcare professionals, again, have stressed the need for Nigerian consumers to consciously guard certain the aftereffects of the practice.

Dr. Olarewanju Falodun, Chief Consultant Dermatologist at the National Hospital, Abuja (NHA), said doing skin bleaching may result in health disorders associated with cancer, diabetes and other complications for consumers.

The NHA Chief Consultant Dermatologist gave the warning in an interview with journalists at Sunday, March 7 in Abuja, FCT, said that the composition of some skin-lightening products may have dire consequences on the entire body in the end.

Skin bleaching has been described as the use of products to lighten dark areas of the skin or achieve an overall lighter complexion through the use of creams, soaps and pills, as well as professional treatments like chemical peels and laser therapy.

Some people apply skin lightener to their entire body to change their complexion, which experts say can be very risky, as the active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury, a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological and kidney problems.

It is recalled that the Nigerian Senate recently directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to regulate the importation, formulation and sale of cosmetics, particularly skin bleaching products in Nigeria.

Falodun further stressed that some of the body cream products in the markets contain chemicals, such as hydroquinone, steroids, cojic acids, and others, and their use for a long time may be hazardous to the skin.

Continuous use of creams with such content would make the topmost layer of the skin to thin out, wrinkle, irritable, and may lead to poor healing of wounds, he stated.

According to him, skin bleaching has no health benefit, as he noted that “some of these bleaching agents on their own can actually lead to other problems.”

He said that some of them contain mercury and that could lead to kidney problem, kidney failure and nephrotic syndrome.

He added: “If you use steroid also for a long period that can affect the blood stream and can affect the blood sugar, and can actually cause diabetes.”

The consultant dermatologist, nonetheless, urged consumers to seek dermatologists’ attention when facing skin problem for professional medical advice.

“For me, I believe that if anybody has acne or any skin problem that is disturbing enough, the person should see a dermatologist, who will advise on the best medication for treatment.”

Falodun as well commended the Senate directive to NAFDAC to regulate the importation, formulation, and sale of cosmetics, especially bleaching cream within Nigeria due to its harmful effects on users.

He advised that people should remain as natural as possible, eat and rest well, and consume lots of water to maintain a healthy and glowing skin for their wellbeing.

A general medicine practitioner based in Abuja also has advised Nigerians against abuse of bleaching creams.

Stressing that the act could cause skin cancer, skin damage and other health complications, the expert who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that any bleaching cream used in high amount, more than five percent could damage the skin.

She declared that it is rather good for consumers to keep the skin the way God created it than bleaching it.

The expert listed bleaching products to include hydroquinone, steroid cream (Clobetasol propionate) and mercury.

“Hydroquinone is used for the treatment of skin conditions but when cleared, it is advisable to stop just like you take malaria medication and after a prescribed dose, you stop.

“The issue here is the quantity. If the formulation is small, it will not have effect but if it is high concentration, it can cause skin irritation and kidney damage.”

According to her, steroid cream (clobetasol propanote), which had strong lightening effect on the skin, could also damage the skin when abused.

“It is also used to treat many skin diseases, such as psoariasis and contact dermatitis but after treatment, one should stop because of the adverse effect on the body.

“It can cause stretch mark, green veins and bumps on the face. It can also cause the person to add weight and later lead to hypertension.’’

According to her, mercury, another bleaching product, has been banned in the market, adding that it can cause kidney damage, too.

It was learnt the cross-sections of Abuja residents who separately spoke with journalists assumed that bleaching the skin is alien to the Africa culture.

Some of them stated while people bleach to alter their skin colour, they should also think about the side effects.

Cherish Adewale, a Corps member, said people bleach to impress others, especially the opposite sex, that is to make others feel they look good, Vanguard report said.

“It is not good to bleach because of its adverse effects on the skin like irritation, multiple colour skin and bad odour in some cases,’’ Adewale noted.

According to her, it will be good for government to ban bleaching creams so that people will not have any option than to appreciate their skin colour.

Likewise, Christine Eke, a student of University of Abuja, commented that people use bleaching cream because they are not proud of their skin.

“I support the move by the Senate on bleaching creams because it will make us tolerate our culture amidst ourselves and be proud of it.’’

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