Nigeria Tops In Countries Using Bleaching Creams
Nigeria has emerged top as the country with the highest users of skin-lightening products globally, with a staggering 77 per cent of Nigerian women and men using these products.
Sounding the alarm on skin bleaching, at a regional awareness-raising workshop in Libreville, Gabon, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, while citing the World Health Organization’s report, disclosed that Nigeria has the highest usage rates of skin-lightening products globally.
He also quoted Nigeria Opinion Institute (NOIPolls), a leading public opinion polling outfit in Nigeria, which provided insights into public opinion and consumer markets and found that 64 per cent of Nigerians believe skin bleaching is highly prevalent.
According to him, “NOIPolls with 97% believing it is common among Nigerian women. Studies among university students found a prevalence of between 62.4 and 64.9%. The awareness of skin bleaching (SB) is high at over 76%, with close to 40% believing that it makes one look beautiful and fashionable.
“High prevalence was influenced by peer pressure and societal perceptions of beauty. There is also a prevalent practice of using toning ( as a replacement) for bleaching and believing wrongly that toning is NOT harmful or less harmful.”
The Minister further noted that the widespread use of skin-lightening products in Nigeria is driven by deep-rooted societal pressures and perceptions that link lighter skin to beauty, success, and social mobility.
He, however, said, these products contain harmful substances like mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids, which pose serious health risks, including skin damage, organ toxicity, and cancer.
