A while ago an American magazine called Instyle, had a picture of Kerry Washington aka Olivia Pope from the TV series Scandal. On their cover and through the use of lighting and other graphic things, somehow the designers had managed to get her skin at a lighter tone than it normally is as she is of dark complexion.

This made her fans question whether or not she was trying to bleach her skin. But many people didn’t like it. I am also a fan of hers as I find her very beautiful and to see that cover was at first shocking, but then I looked again and realised it was only the camera light!

But this idea put me on a very curious path.

So today I thought I would talk about something that I’ve always found fascinating to observe – skin bleaching or skin lightening/whitening.

I find this very fascinating not because it’s something I would want to do personally, but because I have wondered why people do this radical transformation on themselves. Is it purely out of self-hate as many psychologists suggest or is it something else? I know people who have done this transformation and out of pure curiosity I decided to do some research for you guys and to find out what this trend is all about.

Firstly, let me explain to you all what skin bleaching is for those of you who aren’t familiar with these terms.

Skin bleaching is the process of lightening of the skin through the use of homemade products, cosmetic products, and dermatological products. Some people tend to bleach only their faces and others do it for their whole body.

I have a friend who did it while she was pregnant because she wanted her child to be born a lighter complexion than her own naturally darker one. But of course this was a very silly idea and most doctors tell their patients not to do this as most of these products contain very harmful contents that can really affect the baby.

There are many myths that people have about bleaching the skin.

For example, my friend’s silly idea is one of those, but there are many others who believe that getting their skin bleached will grant them more opportunities in life. We all know the stereotype that has always been enforced through social media and even passed down in society through generations; that says that people with fair skin or white skin are more beautiful than those with darker skin complexion.

This idea of light or yellow-bone skin tone as being more beautiful drives many people to buy these products so that they too can get the same privileges. Some people even get obsessed and addicted to skin bleaching and they don’t realise how harmful some of these products are and not only on their skin but also internally.

I recently read an article online which talked about how skin bleaching leads to premature aging of the skin, increased risk of skin cancer from sun exposure. The ingredients may cause thinning of the skin, skin infections, delayed wound healing. The steroids contained in skin whiteners may cause long-term health issues. Some skin whitening products may cause permanent skin discoloration, possible irritation or allergic reaction.

I am not telling you all this so that you stop bleaching your skin – for some of you who are doing it or those who want to try it out – I am simply telling you this so that you know the risks involved in choosing to do this.

I know people who start bleaching and then realise that it was not really helping them and they stopped. But the damage to the skin is sometimes permanent, and their skin has not looked the same since. It developed patches of light and dark skin tones and some people have even developed an orange colour due to the excessive use of these products.

One thing I think people should remember is that if you didn’t like who you are when you are dark, don’t think that you will like who you are when you are light, because your character will not bleach. Learn to love yourself; there are many role models of dark skinned people who have made it far in life without the need to bleach their skin.

Look at Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, Lira, Zahara, and many more. So skin bleaching is no guarantee that you will make it in life, but being yourself and working hard will.

Written by Phoebe Sibomana

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Tell us your views on skin bleaching, is it something that you would consider or have considered and why?

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