Skin bleaching has been around in Africa for a long time. It started during the time of the transatlantic slave trade and when European countries took control of African lands.
Many people bleach their skin to make it lighter, but this comes with serious health problems. It can lead to skin damage, and even dangerous illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
The Dangers of Skin Bleaching Products
Many skin-lightening creams contain harmful chemicals. One of the most dangerous is mercury. Mercury stops the skin from making melanin (which gives skin its color) and peels away the top layer of skin using strong acids.
These products can damage your skin and harm your internal organs. They can even cause cancer. Because of this, many countries have banned or restricted them. Still, skin bleaching is very common in Africa, especially among women—even when they know it’s risky.
Health Experts Are Worried
People all over Africa are speaking out against the use of skin-bleaching products.
In Nigeria, the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, said he is worried about how many people in Nigeria and Africa are still using these products, even though they are harmful.
At a regional health meeting in Gabon, he said that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of people using bleaching creams in the world. He warned that many of these creams contain dangerous chemicals like mercury, hydroquinone, steroids, and heavy metals (like arsenic, lead, and cadmium). These can damage the skin, harm organs, and even cause cancer.
A survey by Nigeria’s Ministry of Health showed that 52% of cosmetic companies in the country still use bleaching agents in their products.
How Common Is Skin Bleaching in Africa?
A recent study by the World Bank found that about 27.1% of Africans bleach their skin.
In a review of 68 studies:
- People 30 years and younger were the most likely to bleach their skin (55.9%)
- People aged 31–49 followed at 25.9%
Here’s why many women said they use bleaching creams:
- 49.38% wanted smooth, healthy-looking skin
- 30.86% wanted to look more beautiful
- Around 20% hoped to get social benefits like better jobs or marriage opportunities
Countries With the Most Skin Bleaching
| Rank | Country | % of People Who Bleach |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 77% |
| 2 | Congo-Brazzaville | 66% |
| 3 | Senegal | 50% |
| 4 | Ghana | 39% |
| 5 | South Africa | 32% |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 31.15% |
| 7 | Mali | 25% |
Skin bleaching rates are very different across Africa. Nigeria has the highest at 77%, while Mali has the lowest in this group at 25%.
In Zimbabwe, about 31.15% of women use bleaching products.
What’s Being Done to Help?
To help stop the spread of dangerous bleaching products, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working with African countries.
They’re helping to ban or limit harmful ingredients, especially mercury and hydroquinone. They’re also pushing for safer products to be used instead.
Conclusion
Skin bleaching may seem like a way to improve beauty, but it comes with serious health risks. Many people still use these products, even when they know the dangers. Governments and health organizations are working hard to spread awareness, ban harmful products, and keep people safe.