Skin Bleaching :An Unnecessary Trend.

In recent years, the trend of skin Bleaching among Nigerians has been blown to its height mostly among the female generation. It is more surprising to realize that even men bleach nowadays. It seems like most Nigerians do not fancy the negriod's main identity ;The dark skin.                      
   

To start with, let's examine what gives colour to the skin naturally. The colour of the human skin depends on the concentration of a pigment called MELANIN. The greater the melanin, the darker the skin. In essence, a light-skinned person has a lower concentration of melanin than a dark-skinned person.
      Bleaching creams were originally created for the purpose of removing dark patches on the skin caused by injuries, pregnancies, hormones, medicines and the likes. The major ingredient is HYDROQUINONE or sometimes  MERCURIOUS CHLORIDE. These chemicals works by blocking the process that leads to skin discoloration. Therefore, the main purpose of hydroquinone in creams is to remove colouration caused by the aforementioned.
    This purpose has however been abused in recent years. The trend of being white keeps growing everyday. People indiscriminately apply bleaching  creams on their entire body just to become "white" ignoring the fact that the climatic condition of this great continent is strongly against it.
   Considering the climate in this great continent of Africa, one would realize that a bleached skin is prone to having most dermatological issues an unbleached skin would easily resist. When a skin is bleached, it becomes very sensitive in contrast to an unbleached skin. This sensitivity has a ton load of negative effects which includes the inability to protect itself from excessive sunlight. This even leads to skin cancer as the production of melanin is greatly affected.
      Again, research has shown that continuous use of hydroquinone will roughen the skin giving it an uneven look. Most times, the skin gets very pale.

Name:Tosin Dawodu

Dept :nutrition and dietetics....

IG :tosin_dawodu

100l.

In recent years, the trend of skin Bleaching among Nigerians has been blown to its height mostly among the female generation. It is more surprising to realize that even men bleach nowadays. It seems like most Nigerians do not fancy the negriod's main identity ;The dark skin.                       

    To start with, let's examine what gives colour to the skin naturally. The colour of the human skin depends on the concentration of a pigment called MELANIN. The greater the melanin, the darker the skin. In essence, a light-skinned person has a lower concentration of melanin than a dark-skinned person. 

      Bleaching creams were originally created for the purpose of removing dark patches on the skin caused by injuries, pregnancies, hormones, medicines and the likes. The major ingredient is HYDROQUINONE or sometimes  MERCURIOUS CHLORIDE. These chemicals works by blocking the process that leads to skin discoloration. Therefore, the main purpose of hydroquinone in creams is to remove colouration caused by the aforementioned. 

    This purpose has however been abused in recent years. The trend of being white keeps growing everyday. People indiscriminately apply bleaching  creams on their entire body just to become "white" ignoring the fact that the climatic condition of this great continent is strongly against it. 

   Considering the climate in this great continent of Africa, one would realize that a bleached skin is prone to having most dermatological issues an unbleached skin would easily resist. When a skin is bleached, it becomes very sensitive in contrast to an unbleached skin. This sensitivity has a ton load of negative effects which includes the inability to protect itself from excessive sunlight. This even leads to skin cancer as the production of melanin is greatly affected. 

      Again, research has shown that continuous use of hydroquinone will roughen the skin giving it an uneven look. Most times, the skin gets very pale . It is unarguable that this causes rapid aging of the skin. 

      In reality, people who bleach their skin tend to have a lot of issues with self esteem. Even the white who they try to emulate go a great length to get a deep tan. Moderate exposure to sunlight is healthy and necessary.

       Black is beautiful. Black is natural. I consider it a privilege to be black. I hope Nigerians realize it's nothing to be ashamed of. I also hope that at the rate Nigerians bleach, the black skin would not go extinct.