There many people who are using skin lightening products in Zimbabwe and the world at large. Some of the people know the consequences of using such products but others opt for those products from an uninformed place.
Some of the chemicals that are used to manufacture those skin-lightening products are so harmful to the extent that the cost of cure when one is affected is comparatively high.
Mitchel Gumbo speaking during Identities Umhlobo Zvatiri television show said some of the people bleach because they want to fit among their peers especially girls.
He also commented that skin bleaching is also associated with the myth that almost 70% of men prefer light-skinned girls to dark skinned ones.
A dermatologist, Dr Mutangadura speaking at the TV Show said that nothing good comes out of skin bleaching.
“Skin bleaching alters the composition of melanin which protects us against the sun. So if we alter that composition we are prone to various diseases which are associated with the sun and others,” he said.
He said some of the products that are used for skin lightening are manufactured using mercury and others use steroids, which thin the skin and makes it prone to easy breaking and the forming of stretch marks.
Altering the composition of melanin makes someone prone to skin cancer.
He said some of the people use bleaching for medical purposes, for instance if one has vitiligo, which would have affected 50% of their bodies so they turn to depigment of the skin colour in order to have even colour, so in these cases it is justifiable.
The dermatologist said that in Zimbabwe the most fashionable bleaching nowadays is done using intravenous injections or tablets.
One victim of skin bleaching, Shoraine Chifamba commented that she experienced the worst with skin lightening products. She said she used skin lightening because she wanted to get rid of chicken pox marks. Her skin started to turn orange in areas that were not affected by chicken pox and where there were scars they got darker than they were. She vowed she would never recommend anyone for skin bleaching.
The dermatologist said people he helped because of skin bleaching vary in age, that is from as young as 14 up to 60.
At a conference in Spain, the doctor said it was revealed that up to nine people had died because of skin lightening products in the Philippines. Even with cases of death being recorded people continue to use those products. A strong campaign is needed to make people aware of the harmful nature of skin-lightening products.
Thank you so much Dr Mutangadura l am one of them l need your help my face doesn’t look good l have some scars on my face