Chronicle Editor
Mutsawashe Mashandure, Correspondent
Many people around the world use lightening oils in an attempt to achieve lighter skin. While this is often done in the pursuit of a certain beauty ideal, it can have serious and potentially dangerous consequences.
The history of skin bleaching in Zimbabwe is complex and deeply rooted in the country’s history of colonialism.
During the colonial era, lighter skin was associated with power and privilege and many people internalised the idea that darker skin was inferior.
After independence, the bleaching trend continued, as many people still saw lighter skin as a sign of beauty and success.
Today, the desire for lighter skin is still prevalent in Zimbabwe, despite the health risks associated with bleaching.
Some see it as a way to conform to social norms and feel more accepted, while others view it as a form of self-hatred and internalised racism.
I have discovered that most food outlets want light skinned girls for a better market, so due to this factor, darker girls strive to have lighter skin by any means.
Skin bleaching is the process of using chemical products to lighten the skin.
These products contain ingredients like hydroquinone, mercury, and steroids, which can lighten the skin by reducing the amount of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour.
In the long term, it can cause damage to the skin barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and irritation.
Additionally, it can lead to hyperpigmentation, or dark spots on the skin. It can also cause sun sensitivity, which can lead to increased risk of skin cancer.
In some cases, bleaching can also cause changes to the texture of the skin, such as thinning or wrinkling.
And of course, there is the psychological impact of bleaching, which can lead to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.
In the short term, using lightening oils can cause a number of side effects. The most common side effect is skin irritation, which can manifest as redness, swelling, itching, or burning.
Other side effects can include dryness, peeling, and flaking of the skin. In some cases, people may also experience an allergic reaction to the ingredients in the lightening oil.
And finally, the use of lightening oils can cause photo sensitivity, which means that the skin becomes more sensitive to the sun’s rays. This can lead to sunburns and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Bleaching did not start today ,but back then our grandmothers used to use ambul, sometimes known as poppers for bleaching.
Despite being prohibited from using ambul, many continue to utilise other lightening oils. It is not advised to use any goods containing ambul in light of these hazards.
There are two main methods of bleaching: chemical bleaching and physical bleaching.
Chemical bleaching involves the use of topical creams or serums that contain ingredients like hydroquinone, steroids, or other harsh chemicals.
With physical bleaching, their skin may start to return to its natural colour, which can be a difficult adjustment for some people.
Additionally, they may experience some skin discolouration or uneven tone, as the bleaching products have likely disrupted their skin’s natural balance.
Finally, they may feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their appearance, especially if they were using lightening oils to try to fit in with a certain beauty standard.
“I think the best way to stop the use of lightening oils is for people to love and accept themselves for who they are, rather than trying to change their appearance in potentially harmful ways,” said Mrs Sharon, a vendor who sells lightening oils.
She said she just sells the product for the sake of money.
“I am just selling this product to make money and I am a single mother of four, so selling this product pays me a lot.
“As a single mother, I send my children to school because people do not hesitate to be light,” she said.
Another lady who preferred anonymity said she used a lightening cream to boost her confidence.
“I used lightening creams because I was darker and people always gave me a nick name; people used to call me blacky. This triggered me to start using lightening oils,” she said.
“Ever since I started using skin lightening oils, I am confident in myself and I tell people that I now see my beauty.”
Mrs Lashmar Mkono, a former skin lightening oils user urged people to stop using lightening oils.
“Do not use these oils. Be proud of your skin. I once used these lightening oils , I could not expose my skin to the sun because of the burns I would get,” she said.
Online Reporter