THE World Health Organisation, WHO, has said 77 per cent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products, the world’s highest percentage. The figure compares with 59 per cent in Togo, and 27 per cent in Senegal.
The WHO report said the reasons for this are varied but most people said they use skin-lighteners because they want “white skin”. WHO also said skin bleaching comes with hazardous health consequences. The dangers associated with the use of toxic compounds for skin bleaching include, blood cancers such as leukemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys, as well as severe skin conditions. It said hardcore bleachers use illegal ointments containing toxins like mercury, a metal that blocks production of melanin, which gives the skin its colour, but can also be toxic.
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