adminThubelihle Mabhena and Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporters
THEY are born black but are so ashamed of their skins they risk permanent facial deformation to get a fairer skin. These women, sometimes men, believe fairer skin is society’s definition of beauty, yet creams and substances used have become a major global public health concern.
Melissa Chaka, who won Miss Bulawayo in 2013, says she has never dreamed of bleaching her skin, yet she has met many young girls who believe light skin is more appealing.
“Some women bleach their skin thinking that it makes them more appealing, but yet it doesn’t. In a beauty pageant, ladies don’t win because of the colour of their skin, beauty has to go along with brains,” said Chaka.
She encouraged women to cherish their natural skin complexion and to use natural body creams to keep their skin healthy and nourished.
The excessive usage of skin lightening products has perilous health effects such as cancer, skin discoloration and kidney damage, according to experts.
Harrison Gwenzi, a Bulawayo pharmacist, says they receive an average of about 10 people per week asking for skin lightening products.
“We always tell them we don’t sell such products, not least because they’re illegal. People really don’t understand the risks associated with these bleaching products as they cause excessive damage to the skin,” he said.
“The products waste away the melanin layer on one’s skin making those using them prone to skin cancer and other ailments.”
Beauty therapist, Sthandwa Tigere, said the use of illegal skin lighteners was not only dangerous to women but a reflection that Zimbabwean women are suffering from an inferiority complex.
“I know of many women who aren’t satisfied with their complexion. They feel they need to work extra hard to look good and be attractive to men. The media isn’t helping as it has brainwashed our women and young girls. They think being dark skinned is related to backwardness, ugliness and inferiority,” said Tigere.
She urged women to use friendly creams that only remove dark spots and impurities on their skins.
“It’s important for women to take care of their skins and enhance their beauty, but they must look for good creams. They can wear foundation, face powders to cover dark marks and still wash them off at night; this is safer than using skin lighteners.”
Sibonele Dube of Lobengula suburb said she uses skin lightening products despite acknowledging they have side effects. She said the skin lightening products have given her confidence as she feels more appealing to the opposite sex.
“I use the products mixed with Vaseline or camphor cream. When I started using the cream, I knew all along it was dangerous but when I applied it and saw the appealing change I couldn’t stop,” said Dube.
“Everyone was complimenting my light skin. I usually purchase the cream from my friend who gets the products from Zambia for $5.”
According to research, skin bleaching highlights psychological complex issues that troubled African women for centuries like low self-esteem and low self-perception. Most women know the risks of applying skin lightening creams but choose to use them nevertheless.
Most men’s concept of an ideal woman is one who is light skinned and has styled hair, research has shown.
In Zimbabwe, skin lightening products are illegal.
Online Reporter