Recently, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, at a workshop in Gabon, said Nigeria is the capital of skin bleaching in Africa.

He described the increasing use of skin-lightening products among Africans, especially Nigerians, as worrisome. Dermatologists have reiterated the minister’s views, warning that skin bleaching or skin lightening could lead to skin cancer, diabetes, kidney damage, among others.

The experts explained that the use of skin bleaching products, especially those containing harmful chemicals like mercury, arsenic, high concentrations of hydroquinone and corticosteroids pose numerous health risks and dangers to human health.

Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Olufolakemi Cole-Adeife, said these health risks include thinning of the skin atrophy, making the skin fragile with visible veins and prone to injury or poor wound healing. She said the minister was accurate in saying that Nigeria has the highest documented prevalence of skin bleaching in Africa and one of the highest globally.

Cole-Adeife said: “A 2011 World Health Organisation (WHO) report stated that 77 per cent of Nigerian women use skin lightening or skin bleaching products. Other recent studies have also corroborated this high prevalence.”

She noted the popularity of these products is often driven by societal beauty standards that favour lighter skin, saying that is because reports have shown that lighter skin is sometimes more socially and economically advantageous than darker skin.

She noted that the risks also include stretchmarks striae, which are permanent or irreversible; skin discolouration, especially around the knuckles, elbows and feet with the permanent dark discolouration of the cheekbones, a condition called exogenous Ochronosis.

Cole-Adeife stated that the use of bleaching cream causes severe or persistent acne on the face, chest and back, sun sensitivity, sun burn, accelerated skin aging, increased risk of skin infections and irritation. The consultant said skin bleaching agents also have systemic effects and can negatively affect internal organs.

“These include kidney damage from mercury and arsenic, which also have neurological effects such as memory loss, tremors, and psychosis. Mercury exposure during pregnancy can also cause developmental issues with the fetus. Arsenic can lead to systemic toxicity and increased risk of skin cancer,” she explained. She said prolonged use of steroid creams could lead to diabetes, hypertension and hormonal problems like cushings syndrome.

“They can also affect growth in children. Unfortunately, many mothers now add strong steroid-containing creams, so-called triple action creams, into their infants and children’s creams because it makes them lighter,” she noted.

Cole-Adeife said the government has to play a major role in reducing the incidence of skin bleaching by addressing the root causes, regulating harmful practices, and promoting positive alternatives.

She noted that there is a need to enforce strict regulations on skin bleaching products by enforcing bans on harmful skin lightening agents such as mercury, steroids, and hydroquinone.

“Regulatory agencies like National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) need to be equipped and empowered to enforce regulations and carry out regular cosmetovigilance,” she said.

She explained that the agencies should regularly monitor markets for illegal or unregulated products and penalise offenders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of banned products.

“The government also needs to strengthen customs to prevent the illegal entry of banned skin-lightening products,” she advised. In terms of public education, she said the government could launch awareness campaigns about the dangers of skin bleaching and promote self-acceptance.

“Nationwide campaigns using television, radio, social media, and community outreach to educate the public about the health risks of skin bleaching should be launched.

“Discussions about colourism, beauty standards, and skin health should be integrated into school curriculums to shape perspectives early,” she said. The consultant said Nigerians who bleach their skin end up regretting it. She advised people to seek other skin care alternatives and live a healthy lifestyle, which will lead to healthy glowing skin.

“All skin colours are beautiful and we encourage everyone to embrace their natural skin tone. Healthy skin and not lighter skin should be the focus and if anyone has skin challenges they should try to see a dermatologist for expert recommendation and guidance,” she said.

A dermatologist with Botox-Lagos, Aesthetics and Wellness Clinic, Dr. Ngozi Felicia Ibe, said there is a need for people to understand the dangers of skin bleaching and promote natural beauty.

She said the minister’s statement highlights a pressing issue in Nigerian and African society regarding skin bleaching. The dermatologist said there is an alarming rate of skin bleaching in the country.

“There is deep concern about the growing trend and the cultural pressures that may be driving individuals to lighten their skin. It underscores the need for national and continental efforts to educate people on the dangers of skin bleaching and to promote healthier beauty standards,” she said. She also said that using skin bleaching products have serious health risks, both short-term and long-term.

“These include skin damage, as many bleaching agents contain harmful chemicals like hydroquinone, mercury, and corticosteroids, which can lead to skin rashes, and severe irritation.

“Increased risk of skin cancer; prolonged use of certain bleaching agents may increase the skin’s vulnerability to UV radiation, leading to a higher risk of skin cancer,” Ibe said. She said another risk is kidney damage and neurological effects.

“The use of products containing mercury could lead to mercury poisoning, which affects kidney function and may have neurological consequences, including tremors and memory loss.

“In terms of discolouration and scarring, overuse of skin bleaching could lead to uneven skin tone, discolouration, and permanent scarring, which is often irreversible.

“The psychological impacts are also significant. Individuals may develop poor body image, suffer from low self-esteem, and feel pressure to conform to societal ideals of beauty, all of which could affect mental well-being,” she noted. Ibe said health workers should play a crucial role in combating the trend of skin bleaching by educating members of the public about its dangers.

“Health workers should promote awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of bleaching and encourage natural beauty. They should provide counselling and support for individuals who may feel pressured to bleach their skin, helping them address the psychological factors driving this choice.

‘Health workers should offer alternatives by recommending safe, natural skincare practices that help individuals achieve healthy skin without resorting to harmful chemicals. They should also collaborate with community leaders and influencers to spread the message and shift the cultural narrative around beauty standards.

“Health workers should also help with early detection of any skin issues caused by bleaching and provide appropriate treatment and advice to those who have been affected,” Ibe said.

She said Nigerians using skin-bleaching products should understand that true beauty lies in embracing natural skin tone. Former President, Nigeria Association of Dermatologists (NAD), Public Health Physician and Consultant Dermatologist, Dr. Grace Okudo, said Nigeria has the highest number of people using skin lightening creams because of its large population, adding that skin bleaching is common among black people because they want to look like Europeans.

She said that skin bleaching causes people to have an offensive odour. Okudo said the majority of people who use skin lightening creams are mostly between 16 and 40 years, saying the only benefit is that they feel they are more beautiful.

She said the disadvantages of skin bleaching is more than its benefits, noting that the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists had started the awareness since 2001.